and why should you care?
Probably most of the hard core people here already know, but it’s worth discussing since he just essentially tied Mitt Romney in Iowa. Rick Perry is going home to Texas, which I’m sure makes Glenn Beck unhappy. Putting Prayer back in Public Schools appears to not be an appealing idea to most people in Iowa.
Santorum was a Senator from Pennsylvania defeated in 2006 after the end of his second term. Santorum is an unabashed Conservative in a state with a Republican party that had embraced Arlen Specter – who was essentially a Democrat pretending to be a Republican, and certainly not a Conservative. Santorum is definitely not the candidate the “establishment” Republicans want (like a Bush or a Bob Dole or Mitt Romney). In 2006, the national party abanonded Santorum and wanted him to lose his Senate seat and seniority.
Pennsylvania is a peculiar state because of its geography and history – it’s almost two different states. Philadelphia is hard core East Coast – Philadelphia is hard line Democratic (78%-12%), and with a growing concentration of black urban voters dependent on Obama handouts now that they have “taken over” the city government (ala Detroit in the 1970s).
Pittsburgh is more influenced by the Midwest – kind of the Eastern fringe of Ohio. Pittsburgh tends to be a little more Republican (61%D, 28% R), but is still urban – and then a huge mountain range in between with a relatively small population. The middle of the state is more Conservative and white and heavily Republican – bible clingers with their deer huntin rifles.
http://www.revenue.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/voter_registration_statistics/12725
Pennsylvania usually turns on how the people in suburban Philadelphia vote (John Batchelor grew up there and makes frequent reference to the collar counties of Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery which are 44%, 51%, 48%, and 43% Republican. These are well educated, middle to upper class white Republicans who are not Religious Conservatives – running against abortion and putting prayer back in schools gets you nowhere with those voters.
So what is Rick Santorum’s key positions and why did he come out of nowhere to win in Iowa in the last few days? The caucus system in Iowa does not require declaring your party ahead of time. There is no race for Democrats as President Obama is unopposed. You can’t ignore the possibility of Democratic meddling to push forward the least electable national candidate.
Santorum’s key items that differentiate him from other Republicans:
– he’s hard line anti-muslim
– he opposes same sex marriage and homosexuality in general
– he wants evolution taught in public schools using the inteligent design curriculum
– he believes Griswold vs Connecticut (CT had a law against the sale of condoms and other contraception) was decided wrongly by the 9 “unelected unaccountable” Supreme Court Judges. The “right to privacy” in reproductive matters laid the foundation for the Roe v Wade decision which would extend that right to privacy to abortion
– he involves much stronger enforcement of the borders and making English the national language [Puerto Rico too?]
– He’s consistently pushed for regime change in Iraq, Syria and Iran
– Global Warming is “junk science” and we ned to Drill Drill Drill…
– the 2nd amemdment is an important tradition for hunters and fishermen
– he wants to bring back American Greatness by bringing back our industry [how?]
http://support.ricksantorum.com/issues
So the stage has been set by the media. “Real Conservative” Santorum vs mushy RINO Mormon New Englander Mitt Romney.
Perry sounds like he is probably quitting. Michele Bachmann will keep running until there is no money left to put gasoline in her car. Newt is probably going to just stand out of the way and avoid the shrapnel for now and be the tortoise waiting fo the hares to get tired. Huntsman has been living in New Hampshire while the rest have been dancing in Iowa with people who don’t really count except to CNN and Fox News.
Santorum is a quasi-establishment Republican. Not as committed to the Republican establishment as Romney or Newt. I believe Santorum could beat Comrade-Sheik Obama if things continue as they are now. We just have to see what the October surprise might be. With Michelle and Perry gone, Santorum is the only conservative left standing.
“the 2nd amemdment is an important tradition for hunters and fishermen”
Interesting. The 2nd amendment is a right not a tradition, and it is not restricted to hunters or especially fisherman.
What a difference a few hours makes. Michele is “suspended” and Rick Perry is heading to South Carolina (perhaps her quitting encouraged Perry to stay in)
I listened to Newt on with Laura Ingraham, who I rarely listen to with her pretty much one-dimensional political frame of reference being abortion….
One of the reasons I like Newt is he wears his emotions on his sleeve, which may also be the kiss of death. Laura mentioned that John McCain was about to endorse Romney, and Newt’s laugh/chortle was priceless and says all we need to know about his opinion of McCain.
All I can say is 1.800 go Rick S!
He is pro God, life, family, guns, drilling, America FIRST, true Conservatism!
Santorum/Bachmann – 2012!
Romney = Lying Rino! Will say ANYthing to get elected! He even got rid of his teleprompters just because Rick Santorum wasn’t using one! Romney canNOT defeat Obama!
Romney cannot win because if he’s the nominee, true Conservatives will either stay home, or vote for a 3rd party candidate. I for one will vote for Obama if Mitt’s the nominee. Better to vote for the devil you know…
On his most liberal day, Romney is light years to the right of Comrade Obama. Hopefully you will come to your senses before the first Tuesday in November.
You can hardly call Santorum pro guns. He voted for the Lautenberg Gun Ban, voted to have locks on all handguns in 2005, and in ’99 he voted for a bill that required federal background checks at gun shows. I’m not even including the former and current anti-gun Republicans he campaigned for like Arlen Specter. These are facts.
I do agree with you about voting for Obama mainly out of spite. But I would do the same if Santorum or talking points monotone Bachman were anywhere on the ticket.
I don’t know of very many people that fish using guns, either. Is fishing a Constitutional right?
Fishing and hunting in some states is protected by the states Constitution, by way of recent amendments. But people do fish with bows and they are considered a firearm in some states.
For everyone or just certain people with special “rights”, like “native” peoples in Alaska?
Here is an example of Tennessee’s amendment.
“The citizens of this state shall have the personal right to hunt and fish, subject to reasonable regulations and restrictions prescribed by law. The recognition of this right does not abrogate any private or public property rights, nor does it limit the state’s power to regulate commercial activity. Traditional manners and means may be used to take non-threatened species.”
Article XI section 13
Did that right come from God?
The only god given laws I’m aware of are the ten commandments. I don’t think god was there at the signing of constitutions of these states. And I’m positive he wasn’t an author either. Any other questions having nothing to do with the original topic?
I’m not off topic. The point of including the 2nd amendment item was apparently Santorum thinks Fishing is somehow related to the 2nd amendment. This is close to the NRA stance, that guns are there so people can hunt, not that guns are there to oppose an out of control tyranny. His language is telegraphing how weak his opinion is on the “right” to own and carry a gun.
It was you who went off-topic to bring up state constitutions. Santorum is running for President of the United States, not governor.
The 10 commandments are not “rights”.
On a more pratical level, since this is my web site and my blog, nothing I say is off topic and you won’t get very far trying to argue that point.
“His language is telegraphing how weak his opinion is on the “right” to own and carry a gun. ” YOU
And I agreed in my first post. “You can hardly call Santorum pro guns.” ME
“The point of including the 2nd amendment item was apparently Santorum thinks Fishing is somehow related to the 2nd amendment. This is close to the NRA stance, that guns are there so people can hunt, not that guns are there to oppose an out of control tyranny. ” YOU
And once again we are in agreement and I provide an example. “Here is an example of Tennessee’s amendment.
“The citizens of this state shall have the personal right to hunt and fish, subject to reasonable regulations and restrictions prescribed by law. The recognition of this right does not abrogate any private or public property rights, nor does it limit the state’s power to regulate commercial activity. Traditional manners and means may be used to take non-threatened species.”
Article XI section 13” ME
“It was you who went off-topic to bring up state constitutions. Santorum is running for President of the United States, not governor.” YOU
“I don’t know of very many people that fish using guns, either. Is fishing a Constitutional right?” YOU also, before I ever said the word constitution.
“Fishing and hunting in some states is protected by the states Constitution, by way of recent amendments. But people do fish with bows and they are considered a firearm in some states.” ME A simple factual reply to a question. And still no negativity from my end.
“The 10 commandments are not “rights”. ” YOU
“The only god given LAWS I’m aware of are the ten commandments. I don’t think god was there at the signing of constitutions of these states. And I’m positive he wasn’t an author either. Any other questions having nothing to do with the original topic?” ME I am arguing your point. God made laws not rights.
“On a more pratical level, since this is my web site and my blog, nothing I say is off topic and you won’t get very far trying to argue that point.” YOU
“Any other questions having nothing to do with the original topic?” ME Again just asking if there are more you would like to know.
“Note that this is a post about Santorum, not Newt.
Please put that comment on the appropriate thread that you think applies.” YOU
“How’s Newt doing in those polls Art?” ME Again a legitimate question. I have not seen any quality polls since Iowa and was asking an honest question.
I used to like your site. However, I made the mistake of commenting and you went off. There was no reason to turn a discussion, mostly in agreement at that, into an argument. Not the first time I have seen it from you.
Confusing the Ten Amendments with the Ten Commandments is a common problem, I’ve noticed.
Way to go. Another not so subtle insult. You really must not be reading what I’m writing. Or, you don’t have a legitimate response.
You start by reading the constitution and its amendments and you might know there are more than 10.
See I can throw underhanded comments too. It just gets us nowhere. But I will start by deleting this page from my favorites.
Note that this is a post about Santorum, not Newt.
Please put that comment on the appropriate thread that you think applies.