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March 14, 2013 | 28 comments
Campaign Crawlers
Horseshoes and Hand Grenades
Santorum’s near-miss in Mitt’s Michigan is still a huge loss.
GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan — Rick Santorum lost Tuesday’s primary here in Michigan. All the spin in the world can’t change that fact, and if Mitt Romney goes on to win the Republican presidential nomination, political historians will point to Feb. 28 as his watershed moment. Exactly how Santorum or any other GOP rival can beat Romney now is an increasingly difficult scenario to describe.
The best way to understand the significance of Mitt’s win in Michigan is to imagine the opposite result: Had Santorum won here in Romney’s home state, it would have been a shattering blow to the aura of “inevitability” and “electability” that has always been Romney’s strongest argument as the “It’s His Turn” candidate whom the Republican Party traditionally nominates. A win on Romney’s home turf would have sent Santorum surfing a tidal wave of momentum going into next week’s Super Tuesday contests in 10 states. Had Santorum won Michigan, it would have set off panic in the ranks of the GOP establishment, stirring new talk of a brokered convention to anoint a “respectable” candidate like Jeb Bush or Mitch Daniels — someone, anyone! — as the nominee.
Instead, after an all-out battle that lasted three weeks since Santorum’s Feb. 7 triple wins in Colorado, Minnesota, and Missouri, Romney scored a narrow victory in Michigan that will enable the former Massachusetts governor’s campaign to boast of a “comeback” that ratifies his claim to legitimacy as the rightful heir to the nomination.
That Santorum came close to winning here — within 3 percentage points, 41%-38% — is unlikely to affect the perception that Michigan gave Romney a major boost toward an August coronation in Tampa. The state of the race now was perhaps best summarized by one network correspondent while departing the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel where Santorum held his primary night party. “Back to our regularly scheduled programming,” the correspondent said, en route to the airport for a flight to Tennessee, where Santorum will renew his campaign with rallies Wednesday in Knoxville and Nashville.
The “regularly scheduled programming” is, of course, Romney’s seemingly unstoppable march toward the GOP nomination, a perception augmented by his victory in Arizona. Santorum made little effort in Arizona, where Romney coasted to victory by a 20-point margin, and instead concentrated his campaign here in Michigan, hoping that his blue-collar appeal could help him win a game-changing upset. Ceding the winner-take-all primary in Arizona, however, meant surrendering 29 delegates to the front-runner. Santorum’s supporters tried to take comfort in the possibility that their candidate might take a majority of Michigan’s 30 delegates, due to apportionment based on congressional districts. Yet even the most optimistic evaluation, counting the Arizona result, would have Romney winning 43 delegates Tuesday to Santorum’s 16.
“We didn’t win by a lot, but we won by enough,” Romney said in his victory speech to cheering supporters in the Detroit suburb of Novi. His Michigan comeback, after some polls showed him trailing here by double digits, enabled the well-funded frontrunner to portray himself as an underdog, saying that “a week ago the pundits and the pollsters were ready to count us out.”
In his own speech, Santorum began by paying tribute to two women — his 93-year-old mother and his wife, Karen — and tried to put Tuesday’s result in a positive light: “I came into the backyard of one of my opponents in a race where people said we had no chance here and the people of Michigan looked into the hearts of the candidates. And all I can say is I love you back.”
Santorum closed his speech by invoking George Washington’s “ragtag” patriot army, “who stepped forward to volunteer to create freedom in this land. … That’s how America’s freedom was won — leaders believing in the people that they led.”
Washington’s troops suffered many defeats on their way to ultimate victory and, after their narrow loss in Michigan, Santorum’s army marches forward knowing that they can afford few more near-misses. They came close here but, as an old saying has it, close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.
About the Author
Robert Stacy McCain is co-author (with Lynn Vincent) of Donkey Cons: Sex, Crime, and Corruption in the Democratic Party (Nelson Current). He blogs at The Other McCain.
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 2.29.12 @ 6:20AM
Santorum is a joke. His ego must be as big or bigger than Gingrich's. Neither of them ever had a chance but they love muddying up the waters. Ask yourselves why?
spike59| 2.29.12 @ 6:21AM
E-G-O
Clint| 2.29.12 @ 6:34AM
Follow The Romney Money Trail.
Goldman Sachs $521,180
JPMorgan Chase & Co $356,400
Morgan Stanley $297,550
Credit Suisse Group $296,160
Citigroup Inc $280,050
Bank of America $245,900
Kirkland & Ellis $225,202
Barclays $217,150
HIG Capital $188,500
PricewaterhouseCoopers $185,550
Blackstone Group $178,050
Bain Capital $151,500
Wells Fargo $148,950
UBS AG $140,650
EMC Corp $128,300
Citadel Investment Group $123,625
Elliott Management $123,500
Bain & Co $112,800
Sullivan & Cromwell $106,650
The Villages $97,500
PCC| 2.29.12 @ 7:04AM
Yes, I follow that money trail. They want the GOP to win. So do I.
Clint| 2.29.12 @ 7:30AM
The Big Government Crony Capitalists, Who Were Handed Our Force Confiscated Taxpayers Money By Big Government Statists, Want Their RINO-CINO Frontman, Mittens Romney To Win.
The Tea Party Rebellion Heads To Super Tuesday.
Media Matters| 2.29.12 @ 7:41AM
Clint,
Your check is in the mail. Sieg heil, honey.
Love,
David
Clint| 2.29.12 @ 7:45AM
Media Mother, The Israel Firster Smear Bund RINO-CINO Poseur Poster Coward, Bibi Has Your 30 Pieces Of Silver.
Love Arlen, The Inspecter.
BWAAAAAHAAAHAHAHAHA!!!| 2.29.12 @ 7:52AM
Right on cue, you NAZI loser jacka** ! You're pathetically hilarious!
Clint| 2.29.12 @ 10:44AM
Right On Cue, You Israel Firster Smear Bund Poseur Poster Serial Coward.
You're Just Pathetic.
Con Chef (NB) | 2.29.12 @ 8:46AM
I see Am Spec's master or rhetorical devestation, Cwint, is hard at work this morning. Still humping the idea that Dr. Dementia is some sort of "conservative" when its becoming increasingly clear that he's thrown in with Mittens to secure his son a VP slot. Gee, 2 fakeassed conservatives banding together. Who woulda guessed?
Ron "Paragon of TRUE Conservatism" Paul allied with fake conservative Mittens. Its enough to give a Paulistinian the vapors.
Clint| 2.29.12 @ 10:52AM
That's A Lie .
You're An Israel Firster Smear Bund Serial Liar, Con Job Frankel.
" Ron Paul on Tuesday shot down the idea he’s in cahoots with Mitt Romney, saying Rick Santorum is a conspiracy theory “addict” who “dreamt that up.”
Paul told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer there is no truth to the idea that he is in a secret alliance with the Romney campaign. After Blitzer asked if the rumors were true that he was protecting Romney in order to see his son Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) on the ticket, Paul laughed off the suggestion and said it “hasn’t crossed my mind.”
“Some people are much more into conspiracies than others. If Santorum is an addict on conspiracies, I guess he’s going to have to keep talking that way,” Paul said.
Paul slammed Santorum’s focus on the supposed strategic alliance, saying the former Pennsylvania senator “pulled that out of the air.”
“If that’s all he has to talk about, that means he doesn’t have much of a platform to talk about. I would think we’re supposed to be talking about the issue,” Paul said. “But to construct something like that, I mean, he just pulled that out of the air because there’s no truth to it. But if he wants to spend his energy doing that, I just — you can’t do anything about it. But he dreamt that up.”
You're American Spectator's Resident 4-F Neo-Chickenhawk Coat Holder Coward,Who Attempts To Use Our American Warriors,As Cannon Fodder & Piss Away Our Big Government Force Confiscated Taxpayer Money To Police The Middle East Sand Monkeys For Your Israel Firster Traitor bastard Agenda, Con Job Frankel.
The Tea Party Rebellion Heads To Super Tuesday.
ThumpasuarusRex| 2.29.12 @ 12:14PM
I'm a Ron Paul supporter too...but good god man, you are single-handedly killing your own cause.
Vociferously opposing Ron Paul does not equate to being an "Israel firster." If you honestly believe these types of labels are appropriate, bite your god damn tongue if someone calls you an anti Semite.
Your conspiratorial tripe looks like the stuff of paranoid delusion. David Icke and Alex Jones are not credible sources, unless you think former soccer players who got kicked out of the Green Party and claim that Kris Kristofferson and Boxcar Willie are shape shifting aliens are believable on any subject. And I haven't even started on Alex Jones' New World Order, baby sacrificing, Bilderberg bovine excrement.
Clint...advice, if you want to salvage what may be left of your credibility, and actually aid Ron Paul's campaign instead of sabotaging it, you really have to attempt to be coherent and lucid.
Doctor Right| 2.29.12 @ 1:28PM
"...Clint...advice, if you want to salvage what may be left of your credibility..."
It's WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY too late for that.
Con Chef (NB) | 2.29.12 @ 1:53PM
Doc:
Thumper is one of my buddies from Townhall. He's new to Clint's idiocy, but as you can see, he's a fast learner. He's one of the good guys. I've been corresponding with him on Townhall for a few years now. He's good people.
Doctor Right| 2.29.12 @ 1:45PM
Great Sell-Out Moments in History:
1. 1938: Hitler-Stalin Pact
2. 1939: Neville Chamberlain
3. 2012: Ron Paul cuts a backroom deal with Mitt Romney
steve| 2.29.12 @ 5:55PM
Yeah, your'r right Right, Hitler and Stalin killing millions of people is just like two American politicians maybe cutting a deal for votes. You are a moron.
Dai Alanye | 2.29.12 @ 2:06PM
RonPaul's attitude is what leads observers to believe he's in cahoots with Mitt to get the VP spot for Rand.
And why should we be surprised? We know Mitt prefers to buy whenever convenient. He's bought Pawlenty and many others with campaign donations, and some with promises of appointments, so why not RonPaul?
ThumpasuarusRex| 2.29.12 @ 3:36PM
CC
I'm done with Townhall. The spamtards have killed what at one point was an enjoyable place to bat around leftists and their pets.
And thanks for defense of my 6, appreciated.
steve| 2.29.12 @ 5:57PM
TR
What do you think of the Ron Pual bashing and name calling here?
Al Adab| 2.29.12 @ 5:37PM
Ron Paul himself gets to be Fed Chairman.
Look at the other promises. Niki Haley perhaps, Pawlenty, etc.
Doctor Right| 2.29.12 @ 7:28AM
Your Paul-Bot fantasy world, including your dreams of a brokered convention where the winless Surrender-Monkey somehow emerges victorious, are crumbling before your uni-brow shadowed eyes.
But your status as a running joke on this forum continues, Clint.
Clint| 2.29.12 @ 7:32AM
Dr.Reich's The RINO-CINO Flunkie Stooge , Who Said He'll Vote For The Crony Capitalists' RINO-CINO Frontman, Mittens Romney.
The Tea Party Rebellion Heads To Super Tuesday.
Con Chef (NB) | 2.29.12 @ 8:47AM
You prove Doc's statement every time you hit the "submit" or "reply" button.
Clint| 2.29.12 @ 10:55AM
You're American Spectator's Resident 4-F Neo-Chickenhawk Coat Holder Coward, Who Attempts To Use Our American Warriors, As Cannon Fodder & Piss Away Our Big Government Force Confiscated Taxpayer Money To Police The Middle East Sand Monkeys For Your Israel Firster Traitor Bastard Agenda, Con Job Frankel.
The Tea Party Rebellion Heads To Super Tuesday.
Occam's Tool| 2.29.12 @ 11:04AM
Clint: Funny thing: you have Con's home address, and yet your cowardly scummitude can only typewriter commando, never showing up. Is business sucking off jihadists really that good?
Just becaiuse you spit doesn't make you any less a catamite.
Clint| 2.29.12 @ 11:15AM
Tool Job's The Israel Firster Smear Bund Cupcake,Who Said He'll Vote For The RINO-CINO Frontman, Mittens Romney
Aaaaand,
Little Short, Fat Aging Screwball Maniac Israel Firster Neo-Chickenhawk Coward Coat Holder Rough Puff , Tool Job, If You're Such A Toughie Girl, Come And Get Me Yourself, Coward,Tool Job.
The Tea Party Rebellion Heads To Super tuesday.
Doctor Right| 2.29.12 @ 9:41AM
Yes.
I said if Romney is the nominee, I WILL vote for him.
I've gone on record as saying that I will vote for whomever the GOP nominates.
Your bizarre attempt to try and smear me with something I've always stood by, as well as your repetitive robo-posts, have always been amusing.
The Tea Party Rebellion (which has NOTHING to do with Ron "Surrender-Monkey" Paul) may be heading to Super-Tuesday...
...but since Paul won't win a SINGLE primary on Super-Tuesday, what is that supposed to mean?
Does it mean anything?
Or are you simply too dumb to explain it?
You're a JOKE.
Clint| 2.29.12 @ 11:02AM
Dr.Reich Is A RINO-CINO Flunkie Stooge Who's Gone On The RINO-CINO Arlen Specter/JohnMcCain Excuse Apologetics Broken Record And Will Vote For The Ruling Elites' RINO-CINO Frontman, Mittens Romney.
You're A RINO-CINO Joke, Dr.Reich.
The Tea Party Rebellion Heads To Super Tuesday.
Occam's Tool| 2.29.12 @ 11:17AM
You would vote for Obama over Mitt (staying home counts). OK, folks, Clint's showed us his true colors. Move along here, nothing to see.
ThumpasuarusRex| 2.29.12 @ 12:16PM
Is Clint actually trying to be funny? If so, he's obviously channeling the spirit of Bob Saget.
loulou| 2.29.12 @ 12:41PM
Clint actually IS funny. Unwittingly. Still, I say it's best to ignore he/she/ it.
Doctor Right| 2.29.12 @ 1:30PM
No, Clint is not TRYING to be funny.
But he IS hilarious.
And please...compared to Clint, Bob Saget is a venerable statesman.
Nick099| 2.29.12 @ 10:51AM
So no one should have run in a primary because you and a few already know the outcome ....so why bother????? You made the decision....so let's pack up and all go home. Better yet...why have elections at all??? Heck, let's just have a monarchy or a dictator for life...so we only have to vote once. Why not be more like Venezuela huh?? Let's take apart the Constitution....on your say so....cause it's already been decided....so no more elections. Yeah, your comment is sooooooo smaaaart.
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 2.29.12 @ 10:56AM
The trend is obvious and a few didn't decide. The majority decided. You're in denial.
Mike 3/505| 2.29.12 @ 2:56PM
"Rick Santorum lost Tuesday's primary here in Michigan."
What was the final delegate count? The Horshoes & Handgrenade analogy only counts in a winner take all event.
Alan Brooks| 2.29.12 @ 7:47PM
it isn't ego as much as book deals, etc., whether he wins or loses.
Doctor Right| 2.29.12 @ 7:04AM
Gee...you Romney supporters will grasp at anything, won't you?
Michigan should not have even been close; it's Romney's home-state. And Arizona's primary is over-loaded with mail-in votes, many of which were sent in over a month ago before Santorum began to surge.
Horse-shoes and hand grenades? Damn right, Mr. McCain. And so far, Romney had yet to hit the target.
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 2.29.12 @ 8:08AM
A win is not grasping, it's a fact of life.
Doctor Right| 2.29.12 @ 1:32PM
Really..??
Then how come, when all is said and done, Santorum will end up with NO LESS than 50% of the Michigan GOP Delegates, and actually has an outside shot at winning MORE Michigan delegates than Romney???
Sorry...but the popular vote doesn't count, here.
It's the Delegates!
On that score, Santorum won the night.
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 2.29.12 @ 2:26PM
You're jumping the gun. As the votes are being tallied Santorum is losing ground.
Doctor Right| 2.29.12 @ 2:31PM
He's guaranteed no less than 50%.
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 2.29.12 @ 2:53PM
No, he's not.
Marco2| 2.29.12 @ 8:31AM
Thankfully, the RS surge became the RS purge last night. Michigan Republicans puked him up like Kennedy's religion speech does his linguini. The RS/Big Labor/Obama alliance pulled out all the stops here. As that becomes better understood, that should help RS with Republican voters everywhere, don't you think?
Con Chef (NB) | 2.29.12 @ 8:54AM
"The RS Purge." That's cute. The game ain't over yet. And Super Tuesday will tell many things. Don't break your arm patting yourself on the back.
Occam's Tool| 2.29.12 @ 11:08AM
Super Tuesday will tell us much. Romney is a very weak candidate who cannot inspire.
Most important race of my lifetime (with the 1980 race a close second), and we send Limp Dildo the Masshole into the ring to fight the most vicious campaigner of our time. Obama is worthless as a President; but he's a master propagandist.
Clint| 2.29.12 @ 11:20AM
Tool Job's The Israel Firster Smear Bund RINO-CINO,Who Said He'll Vote For The RINO-CINO Frontman, Mittens Romney
The Tea Party Rebellion Heads To Super Tuesday.
steve| 2.29.12 @ 5:59PM
Anyone who needs to be inspired to vote against Obama has a problem with reality.
Doctor Right| 2.29.12 @ 9:43AM
The "RS/Big Labor/Obama alliance"..???
Do tell; this should be amusing.
Or are you simply another demented Paul-Bot?
BTW...speaking of demented Paul-Bots...where's "Jack in Wi" been, lately?
Or has he slit his wrists?
Occam's Tool| 2.29.12 @ 11:09AM
Well, Dear Doctor, he certainly couldn't have blown his brains out---there are none to blow.
Clint| 2.29.12 @ 11:24AM
Bibi Waitin' For Tool Job To Blow His Brains Out. In Another Fashion.
PaulC| 2.29.12 @ 9:41AM
Romney barely squeaks by in his home state and his supporters treat it as a great victory. He won, yes, but not very convincingly. It would be quite a stretch to claim Romney's surfing a "tidal wave of momentum," and there's still plenty of time for the GOP establishment to panic.
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 2.29.12 @ 10:55AM
So a win is not a win when it's Romney?
Dai Alanye | 2.29.12 @ 2:52PM
Let's recognize facts. Had Romney been ahead by one vote his supporters would have trumpeted it as a great victory, as they did Iowa.
From Santorum's point of view there's still a way to go before Mitt runs out of money and purchased endorsements.
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 2.29.12 @ 2:55PM
So winning by one vote is not enough? I'm afraid that's not true. If you win, you win. That's America.
RCV| 2.29.12 @ 11:29AM
Actually, Romney won decisively among registered Republican voters (13%+). Santorum picked up a lot of votes from mischief-making Democrats and Independents who described themselves in post-poll surveys as "liberal or moderate" and who oppose the tea party. That should tell you something.
Tommy Frisco| 2.29.12 @ 12:10PM
RCV,
Romney won the few "liberal or moderate" counties in Michigan, near Detroit and Traverse City, whereas Santorum won the counties where most conservative-minded Michiganders live.
The folks in those "liberal" counties want more Government support, whereas the folks in the UP area, for example, live there because they want to be left alone.
Doctor Right| 2.29.12 @ 1:36PM
WRONG again, RCV.
Dem-turnout was no higher than usual for a GOP-primary. Fat-ass Michael Moore's "Operation Hilarity" was nothing but a s***-sandwich that Moore (naturally) took a BIG bite of.
Additionally, Santorum wasted Romney is heavily Conservative, GOP counties. Romney won the "blue-er" counties (where more Dems live).
And, as I've already said in another post, Santorum will end-up with NO LESS than 50% of the Delegates.
The Liberals who troll this page are among the stupidest people on the planet...next to Clint.
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 2.29.12 @ 2:28PM
Where did you get that information? As the votes are being tallied Santorum is apparently losing ground, not gaining ground.
Doctor Right| 2.29.12 @ 2:34PM
The Detroit News:
http://www.detroitnews.com/art.....dyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE
The Associated Press:
http://www.google.com/hostedne.....9c0001f016
Doctor Right| 2.29.12 @ 2:34PM
The Washington Post:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/....._blog.html
USA Today:
http://content.usatoday.com/co.....05-aYcgdqw
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 2.29.12 @ 2:43PM
Read that Washington Post article not the headline. It clearly shows that Santorum's placement is tenuous and he may well lose more delegates as the votes are finished.
RCV| 2.29.12 @ 4:22PM
Dr R - The figures were taken from exit polling.
steve| 2.29.12 @ 6:01PM
Why did Santorum robocall for Democrats to vote for him if he had so much real Republican support?
corvair| 2.29.12 @ 11:26AM
What about the 10% Dems that took ballots? Take them out and you have a respectable win. CBS interviewed two last night at Santorum's hq where they said they voted for Rick because he is the easiest way for them to re-elect Obama.
Santorum "jumped the shark" when he campaigned for Dems to cross over.
WRTolkas| 2.29.12 @ 12:21PM
Dear corvair,
I received innumerable telephone calls the last week and even up to 8:00 p.m. last night. The telephone call that made up my mind was from the Michigan dimocratic Committee or something like that. The person was asking registered dimocrat voters to vote for Santorum. I was going to vote for Mr. Santorum until that phone-call. These two candidates, Romney and Santorum, do not inspire me. My only purpose is to send obummer back to Chicago with the rest of the crooks. If the dimocrats want me to vote for A, I'll vote for B. Not a good way to make up your mind; but was better than flipping a coin.
Beeblebrox| 2.29.12 @ 9:23PM
This has to be the dumbest rationale for changing a vote. I seriously doubt you were going to vote for Santorum based on this, the flimsiest of fig leaves.
Clint| 2.29.12 @ 7:33AM
Dr.Reich's The RINO-CINO Flunkie Stooge , Who Said He'll Vote For The Crony Capitalists' RINO-CINO Frontman, Mittens Romney.
The Tea Party Rebellion Heads To Super Tuesday.
Lee Ghume| 2.29.12 @ 7:54AM
The Islam first foreskin flicker TPINO-LWJ Paulbot flunky stooge main line bum bandit skin flint clint anarchist would rather see the phoney president re-elected than vote for a better man than he.
Doctor Right| 2.29.12 @ 9:44AM
You can find a better man than Clint in any Kindergarten class...
Doctor Right| 2.29.12 @ 9:44AM
You can find a better man than Clint in any Kindergarten class...
Clint| 2.29.12 @ 10:33AM
The Israel Firster Post Traumatic Bris, Little Head Injured RINO-CINO LWJO Mitten's Kitten Flunky Stooge Detroit Back Door Bombin' Skin Dipper Poseur Poster Coward Judas Would Rather See Bibi Re-elected Than Vote For An American Military Veteran.
loulou| 2.29.12 @ 10:52AM
You're smarter than Clint.
Clint| 2.29.12 @ 11:09AM
You're Smaller Than Dr.Reich, Little Tiny Itty, Bitty, Short Israel Firster Smear Bund Dwarf, lou, lou,lou......lou, lousy, lou....
Occam's Tool| 2.29.12 @ 11:11AM
Loulou---you are a sweet lady. Sorry about our resident jihadist loving gimp, Clint. He insists on wearing nothing under his tight black leather gimpsuit, and the smell does get quite bad...
Clint| 2.29.12 @ 11:28AM
Tool Job Freshens Up For His Mancrush, Bibi.
http://www.grimmemennesker.dk/.....ap-man.jpg
Con Chef (NB) | 2.29.12 @ 8:53AM
The Romneybots can say what they want. Last I checked, this game is FAR from over. And with Super Tuesday coming up, & many states in Dixie in the mix, I think Santorum will do well yet again. People in the South are hip to the huckster brand of faux conservatism displayed my Mitt. As I've said countless times on this site, those who count Santorum out do so at their peril. And I've been proven correct time & again in this instance.
One prediction (I don't make many): If Newt has a poor showing on Super Tuesday, look for him to throw his support behind Santorum.
Tommy Frisco| 2.29.12 @ 11:30AM
I believe you are correct, Newt will drop out if he doesn't do well on Super Tuesday and he will probably endorse Santorum. On the other hand, if/when Santorum drops out, will he endorse the last, remaining Republican in the race or will he endorse and campaign for the moderate/indepedendent from a blue-northeastern state again? My prediction is the latter. Santorum is principled, but he doesn't forget which side his bread is buttered on.
steve| 2.29.12 @ 6:05PM
How is voting to increase the Department of Education, increase Medicare Part D, endless wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and restrict political speech with McCain Finegold a sign of principled conservatism? It sounds a lot more like playing with the "team."
Beeblebrox| 2.29.12 @ 9:33PM
Puleeeese, stop with the debunked "Santorum is a liberal" crap. Santorum had a stellar conservative voting record in the Senate with a rating in the top 10% of all Senators.
http://www.weeklystandard.com/.....tml?page=1
http://www.factcheck.org/2012/.....e-whopper/
Meanwhile, we know of Romney's liberal record in MA.
Most of us are also aware of Ron Paul's ear marking proclivities so he's not exactly pure as the wind driven snow.
Gingrich, for all his faults, is probably more conservative in his record than Santorum but I don't think he can now win. If he loses or just barely takes Georgia, he's going nowhere after that.
TommyFrisco| 2.29.12 @ 10:04PM
Thanks, Beeblebrox.
Gingrich would have been helped a lot if the Texas primary had remained scheduled for Super Tuesday. I'm certain he would have won Texas especially with Perry's support. Now, our primary may be in late May. If Gingrich is still in the race in late May, he won't need Texas near as much as he does now.
It' seems clear to me that this GOP primary is set up to accomodate Mitt Romney. He's been pretty busy since 2008.
Beeblebrox| 2.29.12 @ 10:12PM
I've always liked Newt's ability to turn a phrase as well as his ability to tack left but always govern from the right. That is a strategic decision that has sometimes helped him, and sometimes hurt. Meanwhile, Romney always tacks right but has a progressive/statist record.
I prefer to look at the record of the individual vs. what they say. Now, that is not to say that I don't also appreciate Newt when he takes on the MSM or Obama. We need to hear more of that. However, Romney isn't up for that battle, either today when it would make sense nor certainly during the general when he will just be another McCain.
Bill| 2.29.12 @ 9:00AM
Guess Who?
voted for
1. Raising the debt ceiling 5 times
2. Planned Parenthood
3. Medicare Part D
4. NCLB
5. Bridge to nowhere
6. supported Arlene Specter, who cast the 60th "deciding" vote passing Obamacare
voted against
1. "Right-to-Work" law
Ans: Ricky "Pro-Union " Santorum
Nick| 2.29.12 @ 11:23AM
"That nigger lover President Clinton had the pen and vetoed so many good bills passed by the Gingrich-led Congress."
- Written by Bill, in the Time for Newt to Do the Honorable Thing thread:
http://spectator.org/archives/.....ent_749403
You're a moron and a racist, Bill.
GO AWAY!
Bill| 2.29.12 @ 11:37AM
Nick is a convicted felon. He cannot vote either. AH!
Nick| 2.29.12 @ 11:56AM
You're a racist and a liar, Bill.
Now, GO AWAY!
Bill| 2.29.12 @ 12:45PM
Nick is a CHILD MOLESTER!
Nick| 2.29.12 @ 12:58PM
Go away, Bill the racist pig!
Scott Ryan | 2.29.12 @ 9:04AM
The GOP is Serving Mammon (a false object of worship & Devotion)
http://www.TableOfWisdom.com
Doctor Right| 2.29.12 @ 9:47AM
Does that go well with spicy food?
Occam's Tool| 2.29.12 @ 11:12AM
Dr R---speaking of spicy food, sometime you've got to get to Las Cruces and try out their Indian restaurant there....oh, my garsh, as we say in Minnesota.
Mary| 2.29.12 @ 9:31AM
The game has to be played before the outcome can be determined. The Patriots found that out in 2007 and 2012 by a little team that was predicted to lose. Twice. Twice the Giants won. The game isn't over by a long shot.
If Romney is the nominee we might as well vote for Obama because he is Obama Light.
Doctor Right| 2.29.12 @ 9:48AM
Actually, lots of people picked the GIANTS in 2012, so I don't think you can call it an upset.
Von Mises Jr.| 2.29.12 @ 9:38AM
While rooting for Santorum to take Michigan, one must not fall prey to the MSM and GOP spin. The voting demographic in Michigan did not favor Santorum as a conservative Christian. Perhaps he would have done swimmingly as a morals based candidate if he was a Muslim advocating Sharia Law. Moreover, the states that Romney has won are all liberal states except FL and the states predominantly of the Mormon faith. They will soon run out of these.
But the message is clear. We have a diverse country with most of the areas either conservative or leaning conservative. That means we should replace many Senators in both the GOP (that are retiring or will lose primaries) and Democrat ranks with more conservative Senators. Before we can take the committee chairmanships away from the GOP establishment, we must bolster our ranks in the House and Senate with real conservatives.
As for the Arizona win for Romney. I can sum it up with the fact that in 2010, they re-elected McCain. They must have gotten too much sun on thier heads!
Al Adab| 2.29.12 @ 10:02AM
Romney did less well in Mich than he did four years ago. Mormon vote in AZ was huge of course. Conservatives must increase their strength in House and Senate and hold a GOP president to those principles. We do not yet elect a dictator remember.
Von Mises Jr.| 2.29.12 @ 10:23AM
We have a defacto dictator now because the GOP leadership does not object strongly when he defies a Judges ruling overturning the drilling moratorium, recess apointments when the Seante is not in recess, appointment of Czars and raising the debt ceiling and approving CR's with funding for ObamaCare infrastructure spending.
If McConnell, Boehner and Cantor had any cajones, we would not have dictates go uncontested. Unless they are complicit?
loulou| 2.29.12 @ 10:54AM
I did not know there were so many Mormons in the SW. They're multiplying like Muslims. I have nothing against Mormons but dayum.
steve| 2.29.12 @ 6:07PM
Yeah, you sure don't have anything against them multiplyin Mormons, loulou.
martin j smith| 2.29.12 @ 9:55AM
The difference is within the margin of error. Romney not only has the support of the Millionaires and Billionaires of the Republican Establishment he also has the Millionaires and Billionaires of the Socialist Party too. In addition to that he has the support of European Millionaires and Billionaires as well and in spite of all this dough re me it was a very tight race-as expected. Please give me a break--Each candidate can claim victory. One other point-win lose or draw Santorum should continue his campaign to force Romney to the right.
Simon Templar| 2.29.12 @ 10:24AM
Are all McCains RINO's? Is that a genetic characteristic?
This is a very good example of lame, biased, and shallow opinion and political analysis journalism.
I say this not because I am anyone's supporter, unlike the author, but rather because it is a puff piece that offers very real depth other than attempting to bang a drum for Romney and manipulate public opinion.
A point of observation. The year's nomination race has been wrought with great internal division between the base of the party and the establishment of the party like no other year. No doubt about that. As the country is fighting to regain itself from the progressives, so is the conservative GOP base from it progressive rulers.
There are many states ahead that essentially represent the majority of Americans. They have tried to call this a fait accompli since the very beginning of Iowa, which they lost.
You outnumber them. Take back your party, take back your nation. This is really not about beating Obama for the moderates and progressive GOP establishment . It is about beating back the conservatives, the Tea Party, and conservativism that threatened their social order in 2010 and has posed the proposition that it may just be possible to dethrone them.
Have any doubt about this then think back to Jeb Bush's recent comments about the last debate where he emphatically stated he was no longer sure what being a Republican was and could not relate to what was being said there.
loulou| 2.29.12 @ 10:55AM
Jeb is free to join the Democrat party. Go, Jeb--you'll be happier there.
Ted| 2.29.12 @ 5:55PM
Well, Jeb's father George HW Bush was no conservative.... And to an extent neither was his brother George W (although he had some redeeming qualities).
Beeblebrox| 2.29.12 @ 9:37PM
RSM is a Santorum supporter.
Bill| 2.29.12 @ 10:37AM
About Ann................
1. She's 62. I don't believe!
2. She delivers good speech, unlike Michelle Obama
3. Beauty & the Beast! who knows?
Nick099| 2.29.12 @ 10:45AM
Is Ann Romney running for something???? I missed that...and yes she is a lovely woman. But that has nothing to do with the Presidential race.
Bill| 2.29.12 @ 11:39AM
She will help get the women voters with her "sexy" speech.
Dai Alanye | 2.29.12 @ 3:12PM
Bill has gone from Perry to Gingrich to Romney. Who will be chosen next in his desperate effort to back a winner? Perhaps Christie?
Nick099| 2.29.12 @ 10:44AM
I do not agree: Romney outspent Santorum 5 to 1. He had to spend time in Michigan when he thought it would be a cakewalk. Romney has not won any more states than he had in 08.
Lastly it was Romney supporters that changed the primary rules to make it an open election...so Democrats could vote for him. The Media has stated this would be a problem for him and not Santorum but it is really the opposite. Dummycrats are not going to vote for Santorum...and there are a lot of hard-core Dummycrats in Michigan. So Romney won by a few points....Democrat points????? Sorry, Romney is looking weak.
Al Adab| 2.29.12 @ 12:39PM
Frankly Nick, I fail to see any reason the GOP should concern itself with who voters in Mich, a state which will not give its electoral votes to the GOP in any event, think the nominee should be. What matters are the states in play like FL, NC, VA and Ohio not the states like CA, NY, NJ etc. which will never vote republican again. We truely are divided between socialist and capitalist states with only a few still ambivalent.
Anthony| 2.29.12 @ 11:02AM
MEMO TO MITT
I am not a big supporter of yours, that said, it appears you might be our nominee, hence, many of us conservatives will once again face a Hobson's Choice, as we did with McCain.
Your campaign, has been as vile and low as any R campaign I've seen in decades, and that includes McCain's.
Your hypocrisy and situational ethics are those of a leftist, and as a result you have turned many conservatives against you.
While many conservatives understand that Obozo is an existential threat to the survival of America as a constitutional republic, if you and your D.C. braintrust think that our votes are a given, you are sorely mistaken.
While I will probably vote for you, as I could not live with myself without opposing Obozo, it is by no means a certainty, nor can you assume many other conservatives will be similarily motivated.
You had best act like conservative, or at least a Republican, and man up.
Stop with the vile ads, the lies, the distortions, and the whining.
Prove to us that you actually have core beliefs worthy of being our nominee. Tell us who the hell you truly are and what you will fight for.
You claim to be "'severely conservative", well damn it, start proving it and act like a man; because if you don't, Obozo will be re-elected and will destroy this great country.
If you lose, this time, you and the R establishment will not be able to pull a McCain and blame conservatives and employ other phony excuses for your loss.
You will go down in history as the last of the R establishment that helped destroy this great nation.
Then real America we will rise from the ashes of both the D and R parties.
Think about it Mitt.
Nick| 2.29.12 @ 11:28AM
Anthony,
My sentiments, exactly.
O'Romney cannot beat O'Bama.
JP| 2.29.12 @ 11:46AM
Here are a few things that can throw the 2012 primairies and election into chaos.
Isreali attack on Iran
$10/gallon gas (see above)
A drop in 3rd Qtr GDP and employment (see above)
SCOTUS ruling that the Individual Mandate is unconstitutional
One would think that Mitt would be well positioned to handle these developments. But, Mittens has shown that he fears going after the President in any meaningful way. If he plays to script, the GOP grassroots will revolt.
quelque chose| 3.4.12 @ 5:48PM
AMEN! AMEN! AMEN!!! Well said.
How I wish your sentiment could be sent to the "establishment." They are working overtime to ensure Romney is the candidate. The fact that Georgie Soros assured the Europeans that Romney is "just as good as Obama so they shouldn't worry" ought to be setting off alarms with the RNC , but it isn't.
Romney's arrogance and sense of entitlement to the nomination, his trying to convince us he's a conservative, plus Romneycare are enough negatives to prevent me from ever voting for him. His scorched earth ads also contribute to my dislike for him. How in the world is he ever going to get those he destroyed in the primaries and their supporters to support him after the way he conducted himself in the primaries? What about saving the fight for the fall when it will really be necessary? Does he really want the nomination so bad that he'll spend any amount of money to destroy his opponents? These destructive ads must be indicative of the way he ran his business.
One final thing, in all of the primaries/caucuses/straw polls to date, Gov. Arrogant has yet to get 50% of the vote. If he can't get to 50% of the vote, the RNC should really reconsider propping up this guy.
Con Chef (NB) | 2.29.12 @ 11:35AM
Cwint Babbles Above:
"You're American Spectator's Resident 4-F Neo-Chickenhawk Coat Holder Coward,Who Attempts To Use Our American Warriors,As Cannon Fodder & Piss Away Our Big Government Force Confiscated Taxpayer Money To Police The Middle East Sand Monkeys For Your Israel Firster Traitor bastard Agenda, Con Job Frankel."
This from the valor thief who supports Ron "Bradley WoManning is a Hero" Paul. This from the cowardly bitch boy who never deigned to set foot in a recuiter's office, but would rather make up stories about his supposed "war hero" Dad, who he has yet to name. Or who's name he has yet to get correct.
"Sand monkeys," huh Cwint? This from the goy boy who still lives in Mom's basement on the Main Line who picks up 7th graders at the King of Prussia mall to find a woman on his intellectual level.
ThumpasuarusRex| 2.29.12 @ 12:20PM
Clint's posts require a Rosetta Stone if incoherent stupidity to translate. He mixes maybe 6 metaphors per sentence. It's actually impressive on a certain level, if you can cut through the patina of batshitcrazy.
Con Chef (NB) | 2.29.12 @ 1:06PM
Cutting through that patina requires a samurai sword.
Doctor Right| 2.29.12 @ 2:37PM
Clint has about 6-7 "I-HEART Ron Paul" posts that he puts up on a repetitive basis.
None of them are at all relevant, and since Paul CAN'T win the nomination, they're more than amusing.
Clint is not very bright, but he is persistent. He's a good follower. It's not hard to imagine him goose-stepping down the Unter-den-Linden in 1934...
Con Chef (NB) | 2.29.12 @ 11:38AM
Cwint Babbles Above:
"The Israel Firster Post Traumatic Bris, Little Head Injured RINO-CINO LWJO Mitten's Kitten Flunky Stooge Detroit Back Door Bombin' Skin Dipper Poseur Poster Coward Judas Would Rather See Bibi Re-elected Than Vote For An American Military Veteran."
Yeah. Some vet. A guy who signed up for a 5 year term, served 3, never served in a combat zone, & got out when the Air Force needed doctors for the mounting casualties in Vietnam. A one rank wonder who was in the rear with the gear. Yet he's the second coming of Hannibal, Alexander & Patton, all rolled into one.
My ass.
ThumpasuarusRex| 2.29.12 @ 12:21PM
Now CC, at least Ron Paul served, not a claim any other current GOP candidate can make.
Dai Alanye | 2.29.12 @ 3:16PM
As a draftee in a non-combat position, not a volunteer. There is a difference.
ThumpasuarusRex| 2.29.12 @ 3:32PM
Did he serve?
Tommy Frisco| 2.29.12 @ 4:18PM
So, if I understand you correctly, you support a guy that said we should think twice about building a border fence because it might be used to keep us inside...because he has three years of military service? There must be more reasons. Is it because he was able to get that one bill passed that he sponsored? How much cooperation would Ron Paul get from Congress if he were elected POTUS? Wouldn't it be about the same that he's getting now?
JP| 2.29.12 @ 11:41AM
This doesn't look good for Sanatorum. Despite picking up a significant number of non-GOP votes, he still couldn't pull it off. The mainstream GOP grass-roots voters still prefer Mitt. Ohio and Georgia loom large. If Mitt cannot take both of these states next week he is in serious trouble. Look for the RNC to come down hard in these 2 states. Look for lots of negative campaign ads.
Bill| 2.29.12 @ 11:46AM
Santorum supported Arlene Specter, who cast the 60th deciding vote passing Obamacare, and that was a "fatal" blow to Santorum's conservative credentials.
Beeblebrox| 2.29.12 @ 9:50PM
If one of the most conservative Senators in recent memory has lost his "credentials" because the turncoat Specter voted for Obamacare, then you have a screw loose, Bill.
Specter supported Santorum for the Senate and Santorum returned the favor as long as Specter supported Roberts and Alito. Specter said he would so Santorum supported him. End of Story.
If a person loses their cred just because they supported someone who, later in life, turned out to be a traitor, then I'm wondering what you think of George Washington. Do I need to remind you that Washington was a major supporter of no less than Benedict Arnold himself?
This whole Specter/Santorum meme is a cooked up slander against Santorum and when I see it trotted out, I immediately know that I'm dealing with a dishonest person.
Mickey Cochran| 2.29.12 @ 12:09PM
What McCain fails to note is the all-out effort by Santorum for the democratic cross-over vote. I wonder what the results would have been if only Republicans had voted.
Beeblebrox| 2.29.12 @ 9:58PM
Yeah, he may have gotten a dozen or so votes for all the good that robocalling did. Then again, no doubt a lot of Dems crossed over and voted for Romney as well (remember that the GOP opened up the MI primary to help Romney).
But what I really wonder is who would have won without the early voting of over 100,000 people. A lot of those votes were cast before Santorum started beating Romney to a pulp in the previous 3 state primaries.
According to Santorum he admits he "lost badly" in early voting but "won overwhelmingly" with the vote on Tuesday.
I have not seen the actual numbers but if this is the case, then one could argue that whatever Santorum did after he came into MI, it worked and it worked big time.
Ted| 2.29.12 @ 1:09PM
A Romney nomination = an Obama win.
PSMITHEZ| 2.29.12 @ 1:12PM
Rick's dirty tricks not only cost him Michigan, but we here in NC are very turned off by him, too.
He is not presidential-basta!
Beeblebrox| 2.29.12 @ 10:01PM
Name a single "dirty trick" committed by Santorum.
Meanwhile, slandering someone as a liberal who is demonstrably a conservative is the very definition of a "dirty trick" when you spend millions of dollars on air time to repeat the slander.
Garfield| 2.29.12 @ 2:20PM
Romney outspent Santorum 6 to 1, and also had his attack dog, Ron Paul attacking Santorum.
I'm not a fan of Santorum, but for Romney to have to devote that amount of resources in order to win his home state (and remember Santorum won more Congressional districts which means more delegates for Santorum than Romney), shows Romney is an extremely weak candidate.
This was where Santorum put his resources to win, I don't think he has a lot left. Gingrich didn't compete in Michigan and Arizona so Santorum can't complain about Gingrich on this one.
I honestly am glad Gingrich didn't drop out, and I think we all need to help Gingrich clobber Romney in Super Tuesday.
Understand Rubberband?| 2.29.12 @ 2:30PM
What is Santorum doing? Seeking the presidency of the United States of America.
“The mood of the great search is a concern for lawfulness, what already is, apart from our presence and activity. It is either a grim or comic self-manipulation. The mood of reality is an unqualified consciousness, which is present, creative, expansive activity without prior necessity of an ultimate kind. It is always a form of humor.
The attitude which is the great search is created by a most prior error, the failure to be already real. Thus, it manipulates all forms and processes through the super-imposition of its primary symbol or mentality. The true life is not a matter of overcoming the obstacles which are these misinterpretations identified with forms and processes in life. It is rather to have already understood, and thus to be free of the prior error, the symbol and mentality which is unreality and the source of motivation to the search.”
From “The Knee of Listening” by Franklin Jones, page 218; 1972
Yes---it’s always a form of HUMOR!
Or, as a Zen master said to his devotee after he experienced satori, or Enlightenment---
Nothing is left for you, now, except to have a large laugh.
e pearse| 2.29.12 @ 2:35PM
"Near miss"? Who are you kidding? 5 percentage points meant that Romney got 13.5% more votes than Santorum. "Narrow victory" only in the eyes of the loser.
You contrast it with the Santorum's win in Minnesota and Missouri; the first one a caucus only from the state that elected a wrestler as governor and a comedian as senator; the second one not even that, but a beauty pageant with no delegate relevance.
A partisan article if I ever saw one.
.
Beeblebrox| 2.29.12 @ 10:03PM
Santorum shouldn't have gotten hardly any delegates. The fact that he may get more actually puts Michigan in the win column for Santorum if that happens. The popular vote is meaningless. It's the delegates, just like the EC in the general, that count.
jsamp| 2.29.12 @ 6:42PM
So Santorum wins a non-binding Primary in MO (52 delegates), a swing state, delegates to be divided after 3/17 caucuses by 55% to 25%. Do ya think he's gonna get the majority of those delegates? Uh huh. Romney and the Lame Stream Media declare it a "Beauty Contest" victory. Then Romney wins MI by 3%, gets zero net delegates from it, and it's a "Comeback win" and a "Huge win" in his HOME STATE! What a joke! You Romney suckups are incredible!
Dan| 2.29.12 @ 7:26PM
Sanctimonious Rick, what a laugh. Michael Moore is finally right about something.
jmsain| 2.29.12 @ 7:57PM
Santorum got an estimated 2 to 3 % of his votes from Democrats who will vote for Obama in November. Romney really won by 5 to 6 % among Republicans.
Beeblebrox| 2.29.12 @ 10:06PM
You are making this number up. The primary was opened up specifically so that Romney could get votes from Democrats. I guarantee you that Romney got more Dem votes than Santorum did - else, why would the establishment make it possible for them to vote in our primary?
Pat| 2.29.12 @ 8:19PM
Let’s accept the fact the Democrats face no big decisions and only a minor amount of controversy related to this presidential campaign. Should Hillary be vice-president and should Joe Biden be Secretary of State for the next four years, giving Hillary a shot at succeeding to President after Obama retires – no longer 2 presidents for the price of one as hubby Bill always claimed, just Missus President and smile when you say that.
The big controversy revolves around the potential renovation of the Vice President’s government supplied home should Hil get the nod at the Dems’ summer convention. Few tourists flock to the Vice Presidents home - heck, it’s not an easy place to find, they have it hidden well away from the White House near Embassy Row, it barely stands out from the street and most likely doesn’t stand out from the foyer either. So, I say put an end to the bitter controversy and let Hillary redecorate if she wants to and us American taxpayers will cover the cost – as if we wouldn’t have to pony up the price for the new drapes in any case.
So, pretty ho-hum decisions for the Dems which leaves only the Republicans to peak the mainstream medias’ fascination and endless speculations over their beer and peanuts. Already there is media talk of a brokered convention for the GOP, a messy, back biting campaign that can only help Obama. And us voters get the distinct impression the mainstream media types would shed no tears if the Republicans implode all over the front pages and websites of our nation.
The economy is slowly improving, the Dems’ house slaves among the media are claiming Obama’s Stimulus Plans are finally stimulating us after being repeatedly torpedoed by the Republicans in Congress. Things are looking up for the Dems and down for the Republicans but we can hope Mitt and Rick fool the media and provide Americans a real choice between four more years of slash and burn spending and four healing years of inspired leadership.
Garfield| 2.29.12 @ 8:47PM
Anyone else notice while Santorum and Romney were fighting, Newt actually took on Obama in a duel of speeches, and made Obama look like an idiot.
TommyFrisco| 2.29.12 @ 10:10PM
That's part of his plan. I hope it works.
POST American| 2.29.12 @ 9:45PM
----------------------LAST WORD------------------------
--Putting aside the given that this piece
of cardboard is undoubtedly vetted,
authorized and approved by the ever sinister,
and unabashadly treasonous CFR-Trilateral---
What makes TTT-Rick so offensive, in this the
11th hour of the republic, is that he was
an on baord, full blown backer of the
ANTI-Consititutional --and chillingly North
Korean NDAA 1021.
ALLLL this on top of his TOTAL SILENCE
on the KEY instrument of sovereignty subversion
------------the USURY driven 'Federal' Reserve...
IF you're taking this set up seriously, you
belong in the TT-Rick Sanitarium.
IN FACT, by 2015, we'll wager, you'll be in one.
Soljerblue| 3.1.12 @ 1:55AM
This is a BS column written by a Romney shill -- or he should be, since he's obviously carrying Mitt's water. Ask yourself this: if Romney had LOST by three points to Santorum, would McCain have been writing Romney out of the equation the way he's already throwing Santorum under the bus? I think not. And McCain conveniently ignores the fact that Romney's skin-of-his-teeth victory in his home state came after he outspent Santorum by something like four or five to one. Romney expected to win a much clearer victory in his home state. All his water carriers in the media expected him to do likewise, except in the last couple of weeks. He got his coattails singed but good by a guy who two months ago wasn't even a blip on the radar. RINO Romney isn't a shoo-in by any means, and it's a looooong way to Tampa.