-
Agents of Influence
June 6, 2013 | 51 comments
-
Is This Teen Lesbian the Next Rosa Parks?
May 30, 2013 | 0 comments
-
Sanford Resurrected in Carolina
April 3, 2013 | 140 comments
-
Bostic and Sanford Battle in Charleston
March 29, 2013 | 16 comments
-
South Carolina Showdown
March 26, 2013 | 39 comments
Campaign Crawlers
Predictably Predictable
Rick Santorum defiantly resists Mitt Romney’s “inevitability.”
By the time polls closed Tuesday in Wisconsin, Rick Santorum was already in his home state of Pennsylvania, where he is scheduled for three campaign appearances today in Carnegie, Hollidaysburg, and Mechanicsburg. Meanwhile, the media were gearing up to promote the “inevitability” of Mitt Romney, who was predictably the winner of primaries in Wisconsin, Maryland, and the District of Columbia. Santorum wasn’t even on the ballot in D.C. and had not campaigned in Maryland, instead devoting the past 10 days — following his March 24 Louisiana victory — to an all-out push in Wisconsin.
The outcome of Tuesday’s primary in the Badger State was in some sense predictable, a repeat of the primaries Feb. 28 in Michigan and March 6 in Ohio: Santorum campaigned hard and came close, but was ultimately unable to overcome the Romney campaign’s vast advantages. In the past 10 days, the former Massachusetts governor rolled out endorsements from Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson and Rep. Paul Ryan, as well as former President George H.W. Bush and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, a Tea Party favorite who is almost every Republican’s top pick for the vice-presidential nomination. And once more — as in Michigan, Ohio, and other key states — Romney’s campaign and his allied “super PAC,” Restore Our Future, unleashed an overwhelming flood of attack ads against Santorum. It is estimated that the pro-Romney forces spent more than $3 million on advertising in Wisconsin, outspending Santorum and his super PAC by 4-to-1.
This was predictable, based on previous precedents, as was the final result Tuesday: In a Republican primary with phenomenally low turnout, Romney won Wisconsin with 42 percent of the vote to 38 percent for Santorum. This four-point margin of victory, purchased at such a heavy price, was predictably hailed as a triumph that effectively clinched the nomination for Romney. Yet the winner of Tuesday’s Wisconsin primary got about 200,000 fewer votes than the half-million Republicans who voted for Johnson in the state’s 2010 Senate primary, the low turnout in this year’s presidential primary an ominous indication of the tepid enthusiasm for Romney among grassroots conservatives. (Newt Gingrich did not even campaign in Wisconsin, but his 6 percent of the vote there was larger than Romney’s margin of victory.) If Romney is indeed now the “inevitable” nominee, it is a status he has obtained by crushing conservative opposition in an astonishingly expensive and negative campaign: According to the Washington Post, Romney’s super PAC has spent nearly $30 million on advertising, 91 percent of it on negative ads aimed at either Gingrich or Santorum. By some estimates, the Romney campaign is spending at a rate of more than $15 per vote, compared to less than $6 per vote for Santorum.
None of that was mentioned Tuesday night in the post-primary discussion on Fox News, which predictably cut off Rick Santorum’s speech halfway through, and then predictably began discussing the campaign in terms of when Santorum would drop out and how Republicans could “coalesce” behind Romney who, the commentators declared, is now definitely the inevitable nominee. Karl Rove, Charles Krauthammer, Mary Katharine Ham, Stephen Hayes — every voice on Fox News was singing the same predictable tune from the hymnal of inevitability. Santorum’s supporters have been complaining for weeks about the transparent pro-Romney bias at Fox, and it was perhaps not entirely a coincidence that conservative columnist Michelle Malkin — a Fox News contributor who endorsed Santorum in January — chose Tuesday to link election coverage from MSNBC and CBS at her popular blog. The bandwagon psychology of the front-runner’s argument, which has been gathering force ever since Romney’s Jan. 31 victory in Florida, has nearly overwhelmed all rational resistance. Anyone who continues arguing against Romney’s inevitability is increasingly viewed as a spoilsport, if not indeed a madman.
A sort of cognitive dissonance is at work: Three months into the primary campaign, Romney has gotten about 41 percent of Republican votes so far. According to projections by the Associated Press, however, Romney now has 655 delegates, which is 57 percent of the “magic number” of 1,144 needed to clinch the nomination at Tampa. Delegate-rich states that are home to millions of conservative voters are still weeks away from their primaries, including Indiana and North Carolina on May 8 and Texas on May 29. Yet such is the pressure now to unite Republicans behind Mitt’s moderate banner that Tuesday night on Fox News, Krauthammer argued that Santorum should quit even before the April 24 primary in his home state of Pennsylvania.
That was perhaps predictable, too, because Krauthammer and the other Fox News panelists surely know that if Santorum can manage to win Pennsylvania and fight on into May, the inevitable Romney may not be as inevitable as some pundits have predicted. According to an analysis of Republican delegate math published Tuesday in the New Yorker, it is currently projected that Romney will complete the primary campaign just shy of the “magic number.” Unless Santorum can somehow be pushed out of the race soon, there remains the possibility that the fight for the GOP nomination will go all the way to the August convention in Tampa. And in his Tuesday night speech in a suburb of Pittsburgh, Santorum signaled that he doesn’t intend to quit now.
“Pennsylvania and half the country have yet to be heard,” he told his home-state supporters. “We’re here to make sure their voices will be heard in the next few months.”
Santorum spent months campaigning on a shoestring budget in Iowa when there were no big crowds and no major media coverage, when his poll numbers were in single digits and nobody thought he could win. He won not only Iowa, but also Missouri, Minnesota, Colorado, Tennessee, Oklahoma, North Dakota, Kansas, Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana, to become the last man standing against Romney, who has always been the pre-emptive favorite to win the nomination. Anyone who thinks Santorum will quit now — when he has three weeks to win over Republican voters in his home state of Pennsylvania, and thus keep his underdog campaign alive — obviously doesn’t know Rick Santorum very well. The key message of his speech Tuesday was therefore predictable: “It’s time to go out there and fight.”
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.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (210) | Leave a comment
More Articles by Robert Stacy McCain
More Articles From Campaign Crawlers
http://spectator.org/archives/2012/04/04/predictably-predictable
Follow us:
ADVERTISEMENT
The Spectacle Blog
Democrat Dan Maffei Blames Budget Cuts for Girl’s Rape, Mother’s Murder
Robert Stacy McCain | 6.18.13
SPONSORED LINKS
FLASHBACK TO: 1995
-
Pope Culture
A man of faith in a godless age is hitting Americans where it hurts.
-
Why the GOP Does Not, Like, Totally Suck
Mr. and Mrs. American Spectator Reader, let P.J. O’Rourke talk sense to your kids.
-
Dames at Sea
-
In the Absence of Guns
In Britain, defending your property can get you life.
-
The Metaphysical Martini
-
Counting the Costs of Clintonism
The debacle of this president’s administration is both a cause and a symptom of the decline of American values. Unless Congress impeaches him, that decline will go on unchecked. An eminent jurist surveys the damage and assesses the chances for the recovery of our culture.
-
Chuck McHagel
It won’t take long for conservatives to scratch this presidential wannabe off their 2008 scorecard.
-
The Legacy of Old John and Mother Fresh-Roasted
-
It’s the Best Time of the Year
The American Christmas, like the songs that celebrate it, makes room for everybody under the rainbow. Is that why so many people seem to be hostile to it?
-
The Bush Crack-Up
Was the President done in by the economy, or by the politics of the economy?
Clip of the Day
ADVERTISEMENT
Mike Hawk| 4.4.12 @ 7:37AM
We still have a lot of primaries left. This time I'm looking forward to being able to make a selection and vote for a Presidential candidate. In '08, by primary time Romney had already folded leaving Capt McQueeg, Huckaphoney and Rube Paul, that is, no choice since the Good Senor was already anointed (for the disaster to come). I voted in th primary but cast none for POTUS as it did not matter. This year I have a choice and will vote for Sanyorum who was a damn good Senator for 12 years. All you nay sayers and doom sayers can wallow in your misery that it isn't over and you Paulistinians can keep trying to get traction. Let the primaries play ou. That's what they are for.
Mike Hawk| 4.4.12 @ 7:38AM
Santorum, t and y key are next to each other.
Axelrod| 4.4.12 @ 8:31AM
Keep up the good work, guys...We are dominating this website...Keep repeating our talking points:
1) Romney can't beat Obama...2) Conservatives would be better off with Obama....3) Be sure to call him "Mittens" and "RINO" in every post. ...4) Remember: Conservative=Stupid, so we may be able to get these clowns to actually vote for Obama !!!
Dick Nome| 4.4.12 @ 9:50AM
WTF are you taking about??
Fred| 4.4.12 @ 10:13AM
He's talking about the idiot commenters here who are determined to let the perfect be the enemy of the good, or at least the enemy of getting rid of the catastrophic. To anyone who believes that Romney would be as bad as Obama all I can do is quote Ren Hoek, "You EEEEEDIOTS!" If you morons help Obama get re-elected you bloody well deserve what you get.
Vern Crisler| 4.4.12 @ 11:33AM
Get used to it. BTW, Romney won't need our help to lose the general election.
MikeG| 4.4.12 @ 11:49AM
So be honest and go vote for Obama.
Dai Alanye | 4.4.12 @ 2:40PM
Anyone should be able to beat Obama, but Romney is a sort of born loser, as his political record shows. He's a man acting a part that voters see through.
UDoinItWrong| 4.4.12 @ 3:48PM
And you must be sort of a born idiot, as your posting record shows...
John Navratil| 4.4.12 @ 12:01PM
Fred,
While I will certainly vote for Romney in the general, and agree with your assessment that the perfect should not be the enemy of the good, it should be noted that it was the enthusiasm of the blacks and independents which carried the election for Obama.
Romney has not closed the sale with conservatives (that's me) and will suffer at the polls if he doesn't.
I have a dog who would make a better President than Obama and fear the damage he will do, even with a Republican House and Senate, over the next four years - it would be a catastrophe. I'll do as I have done every year, except 1980, and vote for the face of the Republican Party with a clothes pin on my nose.
I outline the following path to Obama's relection...
(1) Obamacare is tossed out by the Supreme Court leaving many to think the major damage has been repaired and reducing enthusiasm with the center.
(2) The recovery continues and unemployement drops.
(3) Gas prices begin falling due to a stronger dollar.
(4) Mr. Hope and Change, whose negative campaign is being unveiled, mounts a populist campaign and hammers Romney as the plutocrat who will reverse the hard-won gains; an attack that I think Romney will be poorly equipped to deflect.
Of course, I hope I am wrong and think Obama is defeatable, but Romney attraction to the center is equally offset by his repulsion of the conservatives.
We are cursed with living in interesting times.
Drek| 4.4.12 @ 2:28PM
Romney is going to go down to an ignominious defeat, and that defeat won't be because of us.
We've not seen a candidate this bad, with so little to commend his candidacy, since Ford and Dole.
And they were losers.
Squishes, though not so much pronounced on the part of Dole.
Mike Hawk| 4.4.12 @ 4:35PM
If Romney ends up as the nominee, so be it and I will vote for Romney, but don't I get to vote my preference in a primary??
loulou| 4.4.12 @ 1:09PM
The guy is an idiot.
The great Satan| 4.4.12 @ 3:20PM
Please define idiot, if you can.
Mike Hawk| 4.4.12 @ 4:36PM
Joe Biden.
Clint| 4.4.12 @ 9:23AM
Many Of Us Pennsylvania Gun & Bible Clutchin' Tea Party Patriots Will Spit On The RINO-CINO Fop Frontman, Mittens Romney.
And,
" An influential Philadelphia-based tea party organization Monday endorsed western Pennsylvania businessman Tom Smith in the Republican primary, saying he epitomized the movement’s ideal of a smaller government.
“Among the four conservatives in the race, Tom Smith appears to be the one candidate who can unite the various factions in the Republican Party while still appealing to Reagan Democrats and independents,” said Don Adams, president of the Independence Hall Tea Party PAC. He praised Smith’s “wholesome, down-to-earth sincerity.”
The Tea Party Rellion Heads To An Open Convention.
Mike Hawk| 4.4.12 @ 9:53AM
Your point escapes me. The Tea Party groups that are genuine are supporting Sam Rohrer. I guess you haven't heard of him. Smith is a newly registerd Republican just like the RINO Welch who supported Obama and Sest-hack. Then again, Bob (with one '0') Casey is your guy.
Clint| 4.4.12 @ 5:45PM
Like Goebbels, You're A Liar, Little Micky Hawklette.
We Tea Party Patriots Are The Biggest Tea Party Group In The Country & We Don't Endorse As Groups, But As Individuals, Little Micky Hawklette Liar.
The Tea Party Rebellion Steps On Little Micky Hawklette.
Alan Brooks| 4.4.12 @ 11:50AM
You've had an assortment:
Romney. looking towards the Oval Office
Santorum, looking towards the Vatican
Ron Paul, looking towards retirement
Gingrich, looking towards Mars
Tim the Enchanter| 4.4.12 @ 2:08PM
Brooks, looking towards his backside.
Drek| 4.4.12 @ 2:30PM
I'll take Mars.........
Sam| 4.5.12 @ 12:23AM
Like you, I plan to vote Santorum for the GOP primary and none for POTUS in November. Then register as an independent after the general. Better an independent conservative than an idiot-GOP conservative, as the establishment likes to call us.
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 4.4.12 @ 7:40AM
You could have predicted this article too!
Pool little Santorum, who could not muster enough support to win a Senate seat in his own state, is now some type of media victim, never portrayed as the winner even though he is the loser.
Let's change the rules. When you lose, you should be treated like a winner from now on. That sounds like some type of affirmative action program but apparently it would make some people happy.
TrueBlue | 4.4.12 @ 1:07PM
I think the point is that the various TV news organizations should not be putting out for ANY of the candidates and keep things honest without getting their opinion involved.
Besides which, Romney's campaign has the appearance of buying the election to anyone actually looking at the money being spent. There's already enough venom against politicians in general being too beholden to their contributors, and you want the guy who is outspending his opponents 4:1 as the Republican candidate?
Romney supposedly has all these great ideas and experience to fix things... where are they? He hasn't managed to explain ANY of them. Given his past of supposedly being a great problem solver this looks pretty shady to me.
Dai Alanye | 4.4.12 @ 2:43PM
Poor Mitt Romney, who has lost more elections than he's won.
Chuck| 4.4.12 @ 5:00PM
I'll vote for Romney or any other candidate that is NOT obama.
Aaron| 4.4.12 @ 4:04PM
TrueBlue. Every election is bought. Just ask the local politician if he can get elected without buying signs and getting his name in the public. Obama without his millions of special interest money would still be a community organizer.
The reason Romney can outspend 4 (or 10) to 1 is there are more people who think he is a better choice and are willing to send contributions. I did.
klr56| 4.4.12 @ 8:40PM
Thanks for contributing to a winner. ;)
Appleby| 4.4.12 @ 7:54AM
The longer this goes on, the less likely I am to vote for Romney. I do not like him, I do not trust him, and I resent having him thrust upon me as if he were the son of my mother's best friend and "maybe he's your very last chance!"
If my choice is "Romney: Yes or No", it will be NO. In fact, it may be HELL, No.
Joseph| 4.4.12 @ 10:09AM
Who cares about the Canadian vote? Send in you absentee ballot for Obama.
Alan Brooks| 4.4.12 @ 11:54AM
Appleby still calls her father "Daddy", like the two sisters in 'Whatever Happened To Baby Jane'.
"I'm sending a letter to Daddy..."
John Navratil| 4.4.12 @ 12:04PM
Alan Brooks,
I still call my father "Dad". If I were writing, I would say "I've written to Dad". It would seem rather odd to say "I've written to Boris", don't you think?
Alan Brooks| 4.4.12 @ 12:21PM
Dad, yes; but "Daddy"?
If Santorum were to say in a speech,
"my Daddy would be proud of our campaign",
it wouldn't be quite right.
Elias| 4.4.12 @ 2:37PM
"Daddy" is just fine b/c Appleby's not running for office, and she's a woman.
And you're a twit.
Dai Alanye | 4.4.12 @ 2:47PM
If Brooks had any idea who his father was, don't you think he'd probably call him Mister -- as in Mister John Smith?
rightasrain| 4.4.12 @ 8:07AM
If the low turnout shows "tepid" support for Romney, who won, it shows even more tepid support for Santorum, the loser. Santorum blew a double digit lead in WI and is now even with Romney in PA. Seems the more people know of Santorum, the less they like him.
Derek Leaberry| 4.4.12 @ 9:43AM
Valid point regarding both Romney and Santorum. At my Eastern Shore polling place in Maryland I was one of two voters. We were outnumbered by the ten or so judges. It is apparent that none of the Republican candidates excite many Republican voters and that Romney will be nominated by default- he was next in line and had tens of millions to spend.
The Republican elite wants conservatives to fall in line for Romney. But strategically, a disastrous second term for Obama would be better for conservatives than a failed one-term Romney presidency. An Obama second term would ensure $ 5 a gallon gasoline, large tax increases in January 2013, a run on the dollar, and a recession by the fall of 2013. That's a recipe for a 2014 Republican landslide and a reduction of the Democratic Party to a rump of Third World voters and anti-white white liberals. The Republican objective should be to win the presidency in 2016 and have 300 seats in the House and 60 in the Senate so that a conservative program can be bulldozed down the throats of the nation.
Riccardo| 4.4.12 @ 10:43AM
I'll bet you bought a Mega Millions ticket last week, too. Good luck with that gamble.
rightasrain| 4.4.12 @ 10:53AM
I don't think the low turnoout shows lack of enthusiasm about ousting Obama. We've been on this crusade for three years now and there is, quite understandably, some fatigue that sets in, especially with this primary process. I think this year in particular, the voters want to get our nominee in place and start laying into Obama .When even 2/3 of Santorum voters think Romney will be the nominee, it's time for Santorum to acquiesce to the inevitability, drop out and preserve whatever goodwill he has accrued for his next run.
The great Satan| 4.4.12 @ 3:26PM
Yes, ever since you noticed that he was a half black Kenyan without a birth certificate.
rightasrain| 4.4.12 @ 4:48PM
Get thee behind me, Satan.
Axelrod| 4.4.12 @ 11:23AM
Derek: Yes, well done...Convince Conservatives that they'd be better off with an Obama 2nd term. That's all we need to pack the Court and implement our fantastic health care program.
gearjammer| 4.4.12 @ 6:14PM
Didn't you know Scalia and Thomas are gonna live forever ?
MikeG| 4.4.12 @ 11:51AM
The stupidity of these arguments for a second Obama term is beyond belief.
Alan Brooks| 4.4.12 @ 11:57AM
"The Republican objective should be to win the presidency in 2016 and have 300 seats in the House and 60 in the Senate so that a conservative program can be bulldozed down the throats of the nation."
Bulldozed down the throats? sounds painful.
Mike Hawk| 4.4.12 @ 12:02PM
You are painfully constipated intellectually.
Alan Brooks| 4.4.12 @ 12:24PM
You frequently use
constipation;
scatological;
vomit;
sexual;
metaphors, Mike.
They are teenage metaphors.
loulou| 4.4.12 @ 1:11PM
But what if they're appropriate??
Mike Hawk| 4.4.12 @ 4:32PM
I rarely use them. What are you reading?? You confuse me with your pal Purp, why I don't know.
Dave Williams| 4.4.12 @ 2:05PM
No, no, no, no, and NO, in THUNDER!!!! A second term for Oblahblah means at least one, and possibly as many as THREE more Supremes like Ruth Buzzi Ginsberg, Fred Flintstone Kagan, and Wise Latina Sotomayor. Do you REALLY want a court like that polluting our system for the next 40-50 years????
Romney isn't perfect, but he damned sure will get MY vote in November...please THINK, and give him yours as well.
irish19| 4.4.12 @ 10:06PM
You are right to mention the court as a reason why a second zero term would be a disaster. But, do you really think Romney would appoint a constitutionalist to the court. I would foresee a couple or three more Souters.
SaintVince| 4.6.12 @ 12:54AM
This is an outstanding post. I'm in the military and there is a quiet, growing enthusiasm for EXACTLY what Derek just argued. Derek, are you in the military? We either need a true conservative in office or we need the 2nd term of Obama's presidency to cave this experiment in enough were CONSERVATISM is begged for. I can't stress enough....we can not pretend that a moderate R-candidate turn president will allow us to turn the corner toward freedom as it was intended.
Ted Agnew| 4.4.12 @ 8:50AM
I went to the polls in WI last night fully intending to vote for Romney. When I got my ballot, however, I just couldn't. I voted Santorum. I am tired of settling. I remembered how Romney bought into the Global Warming LIE and was for cap and trade. Santorum NEVER EVER supported any of that CRAP so I supported him.
Riccardo| 4.4.12 @ 10:44AM
Romney opted Mass. out of the Northeast Regional Greenhouse initiative after seeing how many jobs it was going to kill. He's not nearly the liberal some want you to think he is.
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 4.4.12 @ 11:13AM
Wise up Riccardo. Their lies are better than your truths.
Dai Alanye | 4.4.12 @ 2:51PM
There are few commenters on this site who lie more than "Medicare Part D" Stalin.
Alan Brooks| 4.4.12 @ 12:28PM
Santorum thinks his opponents are of "Satan".and must enjoy the 'Left Behind' series: perhaps he thinks he might be Raptured on Air Force One in the extremely unlikely event he is ever elected POTUS.
SusyQue| 4.4.12 @ 9:01AM
Dear me! This article is totally biased. Santorum from the beginning, pounds his chest and states that he is the only conservative. Conservative, what? He wines, complains and begs for votes. Frankly he is using evangelicals as if he is one. He is a die hard Catholic with much different views.
There is nothing wrong with that because we do have freedom of religion in this country. Unfortunately, Romney's religion is a stumbling block to many evangelicals. It is unfair for his religion to be on trial. Government jobs like the
presidency is a secular job. It is time to drop all
the negativity toward Romney...we want to defeat
a man who is destroying and ignoring our Constitution. It is time for unity for all who love this country to unite. "A house divided cannot stand." Santorum is young enough to run for the highest office in the future.
Old Soldier| 4.4.12 @ 4:06PM
Santorum pounds his chest and proclaims his "conservatism" loudly - because he has never anything conservative in his life. Medicare Part D Ricky makes Romney right-wing.
klr56| 4.4.12 @ 8:45PM
I agree totally! ;)
Marco2| 4.5.12 @ 12:36AM
If St. Rick loses in PA, he'll have a hard time being elected animal control officer of Santorum City. I had thought that he would exit as gracefully as possible hoping to preserve a future in Republican Party politics, but he's probably already too far gone for that. In any case, praise Jesus, the bigots are on the run.
SaintVince| 4.6.12 @ 1:05AM
Marco, you're exactly what's wrong with "future Republican politics." Future Republican politics goes NOWHERE with the idea that we need to hold our noses for the moderate/liberal Republican in order to "ensure the win." Moderate/liberal Republican Obomney will ensure nothing but a loss.
Bill| 4.4.12 @ 9:38AM
R-Resolute
O-Organized
M-Mormon
N-Natural
E-Energetic
Y-Young
What is "ROMNEY"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Vern Crisler| 4.4.12 @ 11:41AM
L=laughable
O=out of touch
S=snaky
E= elapid
R=RINO
MikeG| 4.4.12 @ 11:53AM
Loser is a good description of you and your fellow Obama sympathizers.
Vern Crisler| 4.4.12 @ 11:56AM
It will be a good description of Republican whores during the general election.
MikeG| 4.4.12 @ 12:43PM
Everybody who disagrees with you and votes for Romney over Obama is a whore. You need a shrink.
Dai Alanye | 4.4.12 @ 2:54PM
Please don't make personal attacks, you pathetic wimp.
;~}
MikeG| 4.4.12 @ 4:22PM
Real imagination from a "fiction writer" that nobody reads and posts here for free publicity for his inane books.
Calvin| 4.4.12 @ 1:54PM
When you no longer can make distinctions, you've reached the bottom.
Bill| 4.4.12 @ 12:07PM
Obama is the "LOSER."
Nick| 4.5.12 @ 12:27AM
"That nigger lover President Clinton had the pen and vetoed so many good bills passed by the Gingrich-led Congress."
- Written by Bill the Bigot, in the Time for Newt to Do the Honorable Thing thread:
http://spectator.org/archives/.....ent_749403
You're a moron and a racist, Bigot Bill.
GO AWAY!
Clint| 4.4.12 @ 9:40AM
Obama Orchestrated Obamacare, And Romney Orchestrated Romneycare.
Both Are Tarpsters.
The Tea Party Rebellion Heads To An Open Convention.
UDoinItWrong| 4.4.12 @ 4:00PM
I would not be surprised at all if you applied to appear on the show "Doomsday Preppers" and had a bumper sticker reading "The South Will Rise Again!" on your lifted pick-up truck....
SusyQue| 4.4.12 @ 9:44AM
Santorums votes were bolstered by Dems voting for him to defeat Romney.
Riccardo| 4.4.12 @ 10:45AM
Spot on! Santorum only came in so close due to the mischief voters.
loulou| 4.4.12 @ 1:15PM
Romney won only because of his massive spending and the weight of the GOP elites coalescing against Santorum.
Dave Williams| 4.4.12 @ 2:55PM
Y'know, I've never been persuaded by the argument that any candidate wins because he spends more money. King Zero could spend the entire US budget (well, he's already done that, but never mind....) on his campaign, and I STILL wouldn't vote for the turd.
UDoinItWrong| 4.4.12 @ 4:02PM
He also won because Santorum is a whiny b*tch and a terrible candidate. Oh....and Romney also got more votes.....
Dai Alanye | 4.4.12 @ 2:58PM
That dirtball Reagan also courted Dem votes. Have these people no shame?
Why can't they merely lie outright, like Honest Mitt? After all, if you're a Bishop your lies will be forgiven.
Drek| 4.4.12 @ 2:51PM
Yes, there's something to that.
Cassandra1143| 4.4.12 @ 10:08AM
This is arguing over which pig looks better in lipstick, which ugly is better-looking. I don't think either will win in November.
Drek| 4.4.12 @ 2:53PM
Concur.
And if Santorum thinks he's positioning himself for four years hence, he'll still be the same flawed candidate then as he is now.
He still won't have any executive experience four years from now.
Nor will he be able to enhance his legislative record.
What will he have to offer us four years hence that he hasn't brought to the table now. And which hasn't been thoroughly rejected by the rank and file?
Joseph| 4.4.12 @ 10:11AM
Santorum is no conservative. He voted for two wars, Medicare D, expansion of the Dept of Education, McCain Finegold attack on free speech, increases in the debt limit, and spending.
He is regarded as a conservative only because of his views on abortion and gay marriage.
SnowCypher| 4.4.12 @ 12:16PM
Romney is clearly more conservative than Santorum on every issue except reproduction issues and yet Romney keeps winning the Catholic vote over Santorum. "Conservatives" clinging to Santorum at this point can paint the pig any color they want but it really just comes down to the religious bigotry in their hearts and that is not conservative, it's just evil.
Dai Alanye | 4.4.12 @ 3:03PM
People forget so easily. Santorum's ratings:
88% from the American Conservative Union
92% from National Tax Limitation Committee
92% equiv from National Taxpayers Union
94% from the League of Private Property Voters
95% from Americans for Tax Reform
100% from National Right to Life
A+ from National Rifle Association
Looks pretty conservative to me, and he's held those views from well before 2006, Mitt's conversion year.
Old Soldier| 4.4.12 @ 4:10PM
Voted against Right to Work, a Flat Tax, and for Medicare Part D. Therefore:
0% from Old Soldier.
Joseph| 4.4.12 @ 4:11PM
What about the laws I mentioned. Are they conservative to you?
George Collins| 4.4.12 @ 10:13AM
Mr. McCain, you're article is drivel. Romney has more financial resources. This is a bad thing? He is a better candidate, and will easily defeat President Obama in November. Rick Santorum was bum-rushed out of the Senate by Bob Casey in 2006. He may not even win his home state of Pennsylvania, where he is not held in very high regard and only holds some modicum of support because of political pandering to unions.
smith| 4.4.12 @ 10:18AM
The old gop pollet bureau presented you with Bob Dole, and what did you do??? Then they pushed John McCain, again what did you do??? Now once again they have come up with another nominee and you people act like you don't know what is good for you, no wonder only those that know whats best for you have to ram rod, shove, brow beat and humilate you into submission. Just because 1/2 of the states have voted thats enough the gop pollet bureau has decreed is enoung to name as over whelming victor. You all SHUT-UP. Now I realize romney is a little shy of enough votes, but this may be the way to hold elections from now on... instead of having all 50 states having to vote, lets just have the states that have just held their primaries, do ALL the voting form now on. It will be quicker, more economical, and prudent. To say nothing of the gop pollet bureau will get their man in no matter what, how, or whatever. Go to hell gop pollet bureau! Ohh yea up to now, more have voted against rommie than for, and thats those that wern't turned off enough to actually vote.
Riccardo| 4.4.12 @ 10:48AM
I'll take a financial genius who's never set foot in DC, even if supported by the GOP, over a one term Senator, former Law Professor who apparently doesn't understand the separation of powers in the constitution.
The Bruce| 4.4.12 @ 7:19PM
He was never a Law Professor.
klr56| 4.4.12 @ 8:47PM
And we've never seen his grades. I wonder why?
Jarms| 4.5.12 @ 12:13AM
Never set foot in DC? How did he get 400 million dollars of taxpayer money to bail out the Olympics if he never set foot in DC?
Marco2| 4.5.12 @ 12:39AM
A telephone, lad, you should try one. Luddites unite, you have nothing to lose but your ignorance.
Emme| 4.5.12 @ 2:56AM
Wow Riccardo talk about being totally wrong. Senator Santorum served in the House for a term & then the Senate for 2 terms. He is a lawyer, not a law professor, & he understands the Constitution perfectly. Get your facts straight before you post please. Oh & Romney a "financial genius" thank you for giving me a good laugh!
SnowCypher| 4.4.12 @ 10:44AM
Doggedness is not a virtue when it threatens practicality and pragmatism. Santorum was bolstered in Wisconsin by mischievous Democrat crossovers, not conservative GOP. This writer and other Santorum supporters are now just Neaderthals awaiting extinction. And welcome to it.
George Collins| 4.4.12 @ 10:51AM
Excellent point, Snow. Santorum's support is gossamer. Romney wins in November, and a conservative Congress keeps him directed.
the_dumb_oxette| 4.4.12 @ 11:27AM
Yeah, just like every woman who thinks that the bum she's engaged to will change after they're married. That always works!
George Collins| 4.4.12 @ 11:40AM
Caveat emptor. Women who try to mold men to their liking never succeed. The difference here is that I like Romney a lot as a prospective President, but checks and balances are essential to good governance.
Dai Alanye | 4.4.12 @ 3:06PM
Excellent point, _oxette. Romney is faking his conservative views, and the genuine Romney will disappoint plenty of conservatives.
klr56| 4.4.12 @ 8:48PM
He certainly won't disappoint me as I know he is a true conservative.
loulou| 4.4.12 @ 1:19PM
I hope your RINO Romney doesn't fold and grovel to Obama like his buddy McCain did. Let's hope RINO Romney has the cojones for the general election. BTW, Romney and his lackeys would be smart to stop denigrating Santorum supporters. You're going to need them.
If only he'd get rid of that sh*t eating grin.
Bill| 4.4.12 @ 11:09AM
I endorsed Romney. get over with him!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dai Alanye | 4.4.12 @ 3:07PM
It is Bill's standard practice to endorse losers, one right after another.
Bill| 4.4.12 @ 11:35AM
What if............
President: Mitt Romney
VP: Kelly Ayotte
I like her because she is a Tea Partier, Catholic, and "Lady in Red." She was endorsed by Sarah Palin in the 2010 senate race. Sen. Ayotte is no Sarah Palin, but she sure is the next "Iron Lady."
George Collins| 4.4.12 @ 11:42AM
I like the Allen West idea. I would like to see someone as Vice President who scares the s**t out of flea-bag countries like Iran or flea-bag Representatives like Henry "The Midget" Waxman.
Bill| 4.4.12 @ 12:09PM
I love Allen West, but he is a "loose-cannon" and freshman congressman (recently, he changed his district because of redistricting, and I'm not sure he can win). I'll stick with Sen. Ayotte.
loulou| 4.4.12 @ 1:21PM
Do your homework and get your facts straight: Ayotte is NOT Tea Party. She was the establishment candidate. Ovid Lamontagne was the TP candidate.
Bill| 4.4.12 @ 1:30PM
Sen. Ayotte can shred Joe Biden in the debate.
Dave Williams| 4.4.12 @ 2:57PM
...so could my left shoe, if it comes to that....
Bill| 4.4.12 @ 3:20PM
Who is your candidate?
Nick| 4.5.12 @ 12:28AM
"That nigger lover President Clinton had the pen and vetoed so many good bills passed by the Gingrich-led Congress."
- Written by Bill the Bigot, in the Time for Newt to Do the Honorable Thing thread:
http://spectator.org/archives/.....ent_749403
You're a moron and a racist, Bigot Bill.
GO AWAY!
Robert| 4.4.12 @ 11:56AM
Your article is so full of mis information I don't where to begin....The turnout was not low it was one of the highest totals in Wisconsin republican primaries in that state. Romney actually won by 7 if not more ..Waukesha county results became available at 7:30 am. If you count Dem crossover which exit polls showed voting for Santorum, Romney won by 8 or 9 points. I read this magazine to learn to listen to spoiled children dreaming of almost impossible ways their candidate can win.
snrsache| 4.4.12 @ 11:57AM
It's over people, Santorum lost and he lost by a lot. There is no path to victory for him. The choices are get behind Romeny or sulk like a bunch of little children becuase you did ge what you wanted.
SnowCypher| 4.4.12 @ 12:11PM
Exactly right.
Robert| 4.4.12 @ 12:01PM
Wisconsin results have been updated......Romney won by 7.........check Fox News, CBS etc
Les| 4.4.12 @ 12:02PM
Stacy McCain=Bagdad Bob
Mike Hawk| 4.4.12 @ 12:04PM
WHy aren't you phonies demanding RUbe Paul drop out with the same fervor you are demanding the rest do?? WHy can't we have a real primary insead of an anointment of the Liberal.
Mark in LA| 4.4.12 @ 6:23PM
Because Paul is the only who has demonstrated that he can steal Democrat voters and win the election. None of the three stooges has ever shown that ability.
The Bruce| 4.4.12 @ 7:24PM
Well, you have to win the primaries in order to get the opportunity to get those votes in November. That ain't happening for Paul.
What does he have--like 9 delegates in his corner thus far?
Marco2| 4.5.12 @ 12:43AM
They've lost track, it's beyond fingers and toes, so it's like ......a zillion!
gearjammer| 4.4.12 @ 6:38PM
He thought the loon in Nevada and Christine O'Donnell were dream candidates-sure things. I bet he is a grad of a prestigious university. Just like Just like Clit.
gearjammer| 4.4.12 @ 6:40PM
Oops left out an "n". My typing is just so lousy.
Robert| 4.4.12 @ 12:03PM
Michael Barone, no favorite of Romney gives unbiased information...If you want to learn and not listen to ravings go to his Washington Examiner site....
Dai Alanye | 4.4.12 @ 3:10PM
Incorrect. Barone went for Romney long ago.
Robert| 4.4.12 @ 12:06PM
Look at Mike Hawk's last comment to see what I mean.......A true pathetic idiot..........
SnowCypher| 4.4.12 @ 12:10PM
Given how weak and self-serving Santorum's message is at this point, anyone supporting him is, in fact, just supporting 4 more years of Obama. You get no brownie points for that.
David| 4.4.12 @ 12:10PM
Some of the posters here are really stupid to suggest we would be better off with another 4 years of Bam Bam rather than Romney.
Do you understan the permanent damage Bam Bam can do without being constrained by anything over the next 4 years.
He will likely appoint at least 2 more Sup Ct justices, and hundreds more judges to the district and appellate courts.
We all heard the message he sent to Putin: "Just wait until after the election and then I will have more flexibility".
He already uses the executive branch to promulgate and enforce by regulations what he can't get through Congress.
He will dump Israel down the drain when he no longer needs the Jewish vote.
He will, on a massive scale that will be unbelievable to us, continue to divide this country by class and race.
He will promote protests and demonstrations which will ultimately turn violent.
So, you f_ck ups who say you won't vote for Mitt and will stay home had better reconsider if the only reason were the LIFETIME appointments of justices and judges. Get f_cking real people.
George Collins| 4.4.12 @ 12:24PM
All points well-taken David and Snow. Moderate Republicans, many of whom voted for Obama, will vote for Romney in droves. I don't think that anyone in the media has recognized how much of an anti-John McCain vote there was in 2008. It was a big factor, whether we like it or not. This vote will swing to Romney, and will not support President Burgundy. This will swing Michigan and New Hampshire to Romney, and Burgundy will lose a lot of the younger vote he had wrapped up in 2008. (No one unde the age of 35 was going to vote for a fossil like John McCain).
Romney will be the candidate, despite the whining of folks like Robert Stacy McCain. It is our duty as citizens to make this decision, between Romney and Burgundy, and let the chips fall where they may.
We will have a solidly Republican Congress, in both houses, and a more Conservative Senate than there has been in my lifetime.
Mark in LA| 4.4.12 @ 6:21PM
One who continues to vote for the crap thrown out by the Republican establishment yet expects the party to change is what again?
As for dumping Israel, you just sold me on Obama.
Having an establishment Republican as President is no guarantee of good Supreme Court picks. Reagan gave Sandra Day O'Connr, Bush I gave us Souter, and Bush II almost gave us ?
Tim| 4.4.12 @ 12:11PM
With most power house Republican Political Wonks on board with Romney and with the vast money beeing spent to crush Gingrich and Santorum and these two splitting the conservative vote one would think that Santorum would not have won any race at all.
Yet these folks voting for Gingrich and Santorum can see through the BS.
Obama and Romney are very similar other than one is a pure Marxist and one is a pure Capitalist.
Both have resorted to social engineering and to destroying their political enemies.
The question then becomes what will the millions of folks with passion filled integrity, ethics and love for the US constitution and the Social Values that made our Country great do this November?
The Romney machine says well they won't vote for the marxist but here lies the problem.
If just a few in key battle ground States sit the election out Obama wins.
If Obama Care is struck down (which I hope it is) Obama wins bigger because the Saul Alinsky scare tactics on the struggling middle class will work.
loulou| 4.4.12 @ 1:23PM
Brilliant, Tim.
The Romney cheerleaders give me the creeps.
Robert| 4.4.12 @ 12:15PM
Romney did not spend one penny in negative ads against Gingrich in Wisconsin........Gingrich got 6 percent.......There's your true conservative...Will you idiots get real
Lewis| 4.4.12 @ 12:21PM
You really like the word "predictable".
Here's another prediction for you. Santorum can never show his face in politics again. He's made an utter fool of himself and hurt the party. Pity. I used to like him.
As to your argument that Romeny's wins are becuase of a money advantage; maybe Santorum should have spent more money. Oh, wait. Nobody's giving him money. I wonder why that is.
TrueBlue | 4.4.12 @ 1:17PM
Probably has something to do with the large corporate donations to Romney's Super PAC, rather hard to compete with that when you're not a big-corp shill like Romney is. That said, I do wish Santorum would stop with the complaining, it just makes him look bad.
RCV| 4.4.12 @ 12:23PM
More cheerleader silliness from Robert Stacey McCain.
Calvin| 4.4.12 @ 1:54PM
That is so gay.
John Navratil| 4.4.12 @ 4:27PM
RCV,
I know for whom I will vote and I have a good suspicion who will win the nomination. But it's still the primary. Would you simply stop the farce now and leave the other half of the Republicans with the current front runner?
Romney doesn't have the magic number for a reason. Santorum still gets a lot of delegates for a reason. Robert Stacy McCain supports Santorum for a reason and is privileged to share his opinion in a journal for same. The outcome will be determined by the vote and not the prognostications.
Tim| 4.4.12 @ 12:28PM
Romney shamelessly nuked Gingrich in Florida...
He Didn't need to keep doing it or he would be accused of cruel and unusual punishment.
The problem is that against Obama the Marxist we will witness the the worst political fight in a very long time because you will have two forces nuking each other to see who gets to manage the decay that is left behind.
That is what we should all be really worried about.
Marco2| 4.5.12 @ 12:50AM
Thank God SOMEBODY nuked the Moon King before that rash spread uncontrollably. Clinton without the charm, isn't that what Tyrrell called him?
DavidH| 4.4.12 @ 12:34PM
I think Romney is inevitable at this point, and I think it takes a pretty hardcore Santorum partisan to say otherwise.
I also think it's delusional not to recognize that going to the convention in Tampa (Santorum/Gingrich's best and only scenario for weeks) would be terrible for the prospect of defeating Obama in the fall.
Finally, color me pretty tired of incessant whining about the Romney campaign's advantages. Since when did endorsements and money become a bad thing? Since when did conservatives, who are supposed to favor free speech around elections, decide to start whining about that very thing?
Tim| 4.4.12 @ 12:36PM
It will be the equivalent of two war lords going toe to toe to see who gets to lord over the masses.
I dont know if a majority of Americans will choose
capitalism over socilaism in this scenario.
Its that scary.
Obviousely, I hope so but something tells me that in a one on one match up with one who promises a free lunch against one who promises to take it away
the free lunch wins in a bad economy.
That's why the smart move is to have the number crunchers types in the back room fixing things and not out front as poster children.
Romney would be a good budget director but he will fall short at the top of a ticket. IMO
SnowCypher| 4.4.12 @ 12:37PM
This article fails to do the delegate math in any meaningful way:
Romney continues to get 40% or slightly more of the popular primary vote.
Romney has 58% of delegates awarded to date.
Romney has 57% of the delegates he needs.
Only 49% of total delegates have been awarded.
Romney only needs to pick up 43% of delegates remaining to reach the magic 1144; he can under perform by 14% of his track record to date and still secure nomination.
California is winner take all by congressional district. Who will be able to compete against Romney in all 57 of them? Romney already leads in California by 19% in the latest poll and by 10% on the RCP average. But Romney could be over the top by California, based on past performance.
Sorry, Bob, your "reporting" misses the target by a lot.
Russel| 4.4.12 @ 12:39PM
Number one , I've never liked this author and his moderate scribbles . That aside , the notion that InSanitorium can somehow pull off some huge win is nonsense because it's over . Romney has the winning numbers and Sticky Ricky doesn't . All the little twerp is doing now is hurting our chances of regaining the whitehouse with his pie in the sky dreaming and political sniping . We have gone from a two to one advantage over zero to a now fifty-fifty . Why ? , the women who are tired of the infighting . Zero's last attack with the ' war on women ' ruse worked because of our state of confusion and no coordinated plan . The war is on . He's winning using the nomiation process against us . It's past time to regroup , get our army fitted out , support the appointed general and attack the enemy before he whittles us down to a toothpick .
John Navratil| 4.4.12 @ 4:28PM
Russel,
Perhaps you can help the Republican Party tweak its election rules. Last time we had McCain practically before the starting gun was fired.
Oldefarte| 4.4.12 @ 12:41PM
In the southern state of my birth and childhood upbringing, there was a wealthy welder by trade who lifelong ambition was to run for and become governor of the state. He was not an extensively educated person, but no doubt enough so in his professional trade that he was able to garner a sizable income from same that provided the needed funding for his governatorial campaigns every four years against the sitting governor. When asked by the statewide news reporters about the subject of INTEGRATION, he would simply give quotations from the Bible and respond that everyone should LET N-WORD BUSINESS BE N-WORD BUSINESS! The point is that he never had any chance in hades of winning an election, but he nonetheless enjoyed spending his money on running every four years for governor. Apparently Santorium and his followers/supporters have the same mentality since Santorum will never win, has no chance of winning and stubborningly ignores reality and common sense in continuing his quest for elective office victory. Oh well, what did Forrest say about STUPIDITY??????????
Tim| 4.4.12 @ 12:47PM
If Romney looses to OBama it will be because Romney looses to Obama and not because Santorum or Gingrich or Paul caused his defeat.
Hillary and Obama went toe to toe in 2008 and it was a blood bath of epic scale yet Obama beat our Lame McCain and would have destryed him if not for Palin getting folks to tourn out.
All the spin doctoring in the world won't help save the Rinos
if The Marxist beats Romney in November..........
If Romney looses to Obama the Rinos will be done and rightly so.
Oldefarte| 4.4.12 @ 2:20PM
'.....Interviews with voters leaving Republican polling places in Maryland and Wisconsin showed an electorate more concerned with a candidate's ability to defeat Obama than with the strength of his conservatism, his moral character or his stand on the issues. Similar soundings in earlier states have consistently worked to Romney's advantage.
Voters in both states were less apt to be born again or evangelical Christians than in most previous contests — 37 percent in Wisconsin and 33 percent in Maryland. Based on earlier contests, that, too, suggested an advantage for Romney.....'
David| 4.4.12 @ 12:53PM
I don't understand the bitterness against Santorum. My guess is that those who seem to detest him simply don't like his positions on the social issues.
To those who claim he is not a conservative, do you just f_cking ignore all the conservative groups who give him high conservative ratings?He was, as has been pointed out by numerous people, one of the most conservative republicans when in Congress. What the f_ck more do you people want.
Rick has a record. Mitt has a record. Both are from heavily democratic states. Their records are not even close. Mitt's is liberal, while Rick piled up conservative ratings by all conservative groups.
Trust me on this, the dems are not going out to vote for Santorum. The person they want to run against is Romney for all of the below reasons.
That said, I hope Santorum stays in the race. The longer we keep Romney from the nomination the more likely he will realize that he really isn't the choice of about 60% of repubs and the more likely he will be to govern as a conservative rather than the moderate he is. That is, IF he does beat Bam Bam, which I sincerely doubt he can.
Romney is the 1%.
Romney is stiff as a board.
Romney is the guy who likes to fire people. Romney is the guy no one can identify with.
Romney is the guy who sends job overseas.
Romney is the guy who is building the mansion while running for president, which will be shown ad nauseum.
Romney is the guy who supports cap and trade.
Romney is the originator of Obamacare.
Romney has bought into global warming and all the regulations and restrictions that come with it.
Romney is the guy who has been running for president for 7 years, has outspent all opponents by huge margins, and still can't get but about 40% of repubs behind him.
Romney is the guy who hangs out with NASCAR and pro sports team owners.
Romney will not get any votes from blue collar workers and conservative democrats.
If Romney is our nominee, it guarantees another 4 years of Bam Bam.
I will vote for him, but it won't matter. He cannot win against Bam Bam. He is mister 1%.
loulou| 4.4.12 @ 1:25PM
David, a lot of there posters here who are hostile to Santorum are Romneybots. Sent out from god knows where to cheerlead for RINO Romney. It's as if they are on a mission.
Russel| 4.4.12 @ 1:34PM
Our mission is to win and kick the marxist out . Santorum is GONE , so get over it and help us in our fight . How many Americans actually took up arms against the British in our fight to win the Revolutionary war ? . Only about a third . You evidently aren't in that third .
MissouriConservative| 4.4.12 @ 2:13PM
Exactly! Two thirds of the voters in Mississippi and Alabama wanted someone other than Rick, or Newt or Romney to make the point. Newt and Mitt said it early in the debates, any of the 7 on that stage would be superior to Obama. Each candidate has strengths and weaknesses. It is time to coalesce and get the White House eviction notice ready.
Dai Alanye | 4.4.12 @ 3:27PM
Romney supporters are so nervous about continuing opposition that one must wonder why. It's almost as if they're afraid the true Mitt will stumble if the contest goes on too long.
If Romney is a winning politician it won't hurt to make him work until -- and even at -- the Convention. If he manages to gain a majority in Tampa and has the sense to pick a strong conservative VP, we'll get behind him.
The essential problem is that Mitt is a weak leader as well as a false conservative, and it shows. As with McCain, it's going to take a great VP pick for him to overcome the Obama advantage among the media and fools. [But I repeat myself.]
The difficulty Romney supporters have is Willard Romney and his losing record. If they had more faith in the man they wouldn't be so rabid in attacking Santorum. Straighten out Mitt, Romneyites, and your concerns will fade.
SaintVince| 4.6.12 @ 12:41AM
Russel, Obomney is a loser pick. Period.
Oldefarte| 4.4.12 @ 2:21PM
'........Interviews with voters leaving Republican polling places in Maryland and Wisconsin showed an electorate more concerned with a candidate's ability to defeat Obama than with the strength of his conservatism, his moral character or his stand on the issues. Similar soundings in earlier states have consistently worked to Romney's advantage.
Voters in both states were less apt to be born again or evangelical Christians than in most previous contests — 37 percent in Wisconsin and 33 percent in Maryland. Based on earlier contests, that, too, suggested an advantage for Romney......'
Oldefarte| 4.4.12 @ 2:26PM
'......Interviews with voters leaving Republican polling places in Maryland and Wisconsin showed an electorate more concerned with a candidate's ability to defeat Obama than with the strength of his conservatism, his moral character or his stand on the issues. Similar soundings in earlier states have consistently worked to Romney's advantage.
Voters in both states were less apt to be born again or evangelical Christians than in most previous contests — 37 percent in Wisconsin and 33 percent in Maryland. Based on earlier contests, that, too, suggested an advantage for Romney.......'
SaintVince| 4.6.12 @ 12:37AM
Well OF. You sure as hell do post on here a lot. Your comment about what people are saying leaving polling places illustrates EXACTLY why we are on our way to nominating a loser. A majority of Republicans who don't pay attention and want the candidate who can "win," don't know exactly what what it takes TO WIN. For some reason we get wraped around the axle about "winning" and not paying any attention to the long-term damage pseudo-conservatism coupled with big spending coupled with big government do. These candidates/Presidents hurt the country and hurt conservatism which is somehow associated with the R-candidate. Most R-candidates are not conservative and this includes Obomney. Obomney will not be able to defend himself on a number of issues which he championed from the same position of BHO. Obomney-Care include. What it takes to win is CONSERVATISM and not moderate/milk toast/ modern day Republicanism. Obomney is a loser candidate from "go." The problem for any of the candidates who actually have a chance to win is that most Republicans have been duped into believing that Obomney is the only "conservative" who can win. It's an idiot arguement perpetuated by idots believed by idots and further perpetuated. But, I guess "We'll be as dumb as we want to be," hasn't that always been the view from the Left?
Old Soldier| 4.4.12 @ 4:17PM
I came by my judgement of Santorum by observation, not third party ratings. I really don't care for his self-righteous brand of social conservatism and he absolutely is not a fiscal conservative. Name-calling and curses won't change it.
http://libertycounselaction.or.....ing_record
SaintVince| 4.6.12 @ 12:43AM
Hear, hear my brother. Nice post.
MissouriConservative| 4.4.12 @ 1:10PM
Rick's speech was cut short, because he was way too long winded. He was also lacking in civility to not congratulate his opponent. The rabbit holes that Santorum has chosen, like contraception are already having a negative impact on the female electorate.
He is nicely positioned for 2016 and beyond if he chooses to unite rather than divide against the common opponent Obama. We remember that the good people of Pennsylvania tossed him away as an senator by a record 18 point incumbent loss. The reasons he was rejected have not gone away. Not only does he face (check Intrade) a very real possibility of a loss in PA, his Battle of the Little Big Horn strategy will leave him of little or no value for national office in the future.
John Navratil| 4.4.12 @ 4:33PM
MissouriConservative,
Long-winded? Did you time Romney's? Both these guys need to realize that the stump speech should be given BEFORE the polls open. These election night speeches used to be about thanking supporters, congratulating the victor and cheer-leading for the next contest. Who told them to drone on about the same policy prescriptions, ad nauseum?
MissouriConservative| 4.4.12 @ 4:49PM
I agree, News media should set a timer just like in the debates. Concession or congrats. Summation plan and get off the stage.
Adjoran| 4.4.12 @ 9:08PM
It's free TV advertising. That is why they use to give their stump speeches instead of boring thank-yous.
rfb| 4.4.12 @ 1:14PM
I've gotten use to conservatives and especially Fox news making up numbers when attacking Obama but the the margin in Wisconsin in 7 points (44% Romney, 37% Santorum). Using bogus numbers does not enhance one's arguments.
Tim| 4.4.12 @ 1:33PM
This isn't about Santorum anymore its about
what poster, David ,explained in plain simple English as to why Romney will be hard pressed to win in November.
Every reason he numbered are spot on and its not the social conservatives that are blind here but the folks that cant or wont see that in today's USA Romney will not beat Obama.
I can also see the Rinos complaining all of December 2012 and all of 2013 on how the social
conservatives and their contraception gig turned off women. That's pure Caca.
Romney is a very weak candidate that wouldn't get half of the votes Santorum is getting if he didn't have the money baskets he has to help buy the votes.
In November the Money will be even so then its the better political more charasmatic character that wins.
Again, we are talking about the swing States.
Obama has his shoe in states and Romney will have his shoe in states.
Than what?
Oldefarte| 4.4.12 @ 2:22PM
'.....Interviews with voters leaving Republican polling places in Maryland and Wisconsin showed an electorate more concerned with a candidate's ability to defeat Obama than with the strength of his conservatism, his moral character or his stand on the issues. Similar soundings in earlier states have consistently worked to Romney's advantage.
Voters in both states were less apt to be born again or evangelical Christians than in most previous contests — 37 percent in Wisconsin and 33 percent in Maryland. Based on earlier contests, that, too, suggested an advantage for Romney....'
Mike Hawk| 4.4.12 @ 4:30PM
The Jimmuh was an assumed winner over Ronald Reagan a few weeks before he beat Carter in a landslide in '80. So much for polling and assumptions.
richme| 4.4.12 @ 1:55PM
Mitt Romney to Michigan heckler: "If you want free stuff, vote for the other guy."
Dai Alanye | 4.4.12 @ 3:31PM
To give credit where it's due, for once Romney reacted in a manner pleasing to both conservatives and general voters. Too bad this type of reaction isn't more natural for him.
loulou| 4.4.12 @ 4:28PM
Was that Romney unzipped?
Brianrw00| 4.4.12 @ 2:12PM
It's hard to imagine reading anything much more delusional than this tripe. Whether we like it or not, Romney will be the nominee.
glennd | 4.4.12 @ 2:14PM
Talk about being predictable, another article on the 'strenght' of santorum. Anyone who thinks santorum has a chance against obama is as cloistered as the women in NY who once said "i don't know how nixon won, i don't know anyone who voted for him". I don't know if romney can win, but he has a better chance than santorum, who in his own way is as moderate as romney. just saying you're conservative doessn't make it so. check his voting record. what of his repsonse on the medicare bill Bush pushed thru...he voted yes to take one for the team. sounds like he'll really stand up and fight the power in DC.
UDoinItWrong| 4.4.12 @ 3:54PM
glennd has it right.
Oldefarte| 4.4.12 @ 2:48PM
'......Schoen: Santorum Must Win Pa., ‘Demonstrate Some Strength'
Tuesday, April 3, 2012 11:20 PM
By: Paul Scicchitano
Political analyst and Democratic pollster Doug Schoen tells Newsmax that former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum must not only win his home state later this month, but he must also “demonstrate some strength” in the four other electoral battles being waged on the same day to have a chance of defeating front-runner Mitt Romney for the GOP presidential nomination.
“If Santorum wins Pennsylvania it will still be almost impossible arithmetically for the results to be anything other than Mitt Romney as the nominee,” Schoen said in an exclusive interview Tuesday night. “It will however, prolong the inevitable probably into June.”
Voters in Santorum’s home state of Pennsylvania, along with Connecticut, Delaware, Rhode Island and New York go to the polls on April 24.
“It is a must win, but unless Santorum demonstrates some strength in the states that will be voting on the 24th along with Pennsylvania, it isn’t going to make much difference,” insisted Schoen. “I don’t believe Rick Santorum will win any state other than Pennsylvania. And Pennsylvania is one that I would say, based on what I saw tonight — and what I’ve seen previously — will likely go to Mitt Romney.”
Schoen believes that Santorum’s triple losses to Romney in Wisconsin, Maryland and the District of Columbia on Tuesday were indicative of a larger problem with voters.
“The evangelicals, the very conservative voters, the tea party — all went with Mitt Romney,” according to Schoen.
Meanwhile, Santorum has failed to capitalize on early leads. “The polls in Pennsylvania are 5 to 6 points for Rick Santorum. What we’ve been seeing in Ohio, Michigan — and now Wisconsin — is Santorum leads turn into Romney victories,” Schoen said. “And with the entire Republican establishment now effectively behind Mitt Romney, you can expect that Mitt Romney will probably win Pennsylvania as well.”
Meanwhile, Schoen acknowledged that Santorum plans to press on, which is indicative of a continued division within the party.
“It’s not like the wounds are healed. It’s not like the contest is over. Listening to Rick Santorum tonight suggested to me that he hasn’t gotten the message, but rest assured the train has finally left the station,” according to Schoen.
Even so, Romney will have his work cut out for him to defeat President Barack Obama in the general election, Schoen added.
“Mitt Romney is now inevitable,” Schoen observed “It isn’t clear he is electable.”.......'
The great Satan| 4.4.12 @ 3:16PM
I'm going with Mad men. Mad men who pimp for frothy.
UDoinItWrong| 4.4.12 @ 3:52PM
I still laugh at all the delusional Ragin' Ricky fans on here. Your candidate is an embarrassment toting around a children's toy and a rock to every stump speech. Of course he can still keep fighting on, but he'll just end up becoming a bigger and bigger laughing stock.
BTW, before Mr. McCain started typing this tear-soaked piece, he should have wait for the results to come in fully :P. Romney 44%, Santorum 37% in WI
Mike Hawk| 4.4.12 @ 4:26PM
Why should you liberals care?? I guess every vote doesn't count after all. I'm not raging either, I just want to vote for my choice. Let the chips fall where they may.
hondr| 4.4.12 @ 4:27PM
So you're squealing with glee over a 7 point Willard margin?
No turnout, tens of millions of Willardian dollars spent, and your heart's fluttering?
Good luck in November, RINO.
loulou| 4.4.12 @ 4:29PM
George Soros likes Romney.
Chris Hamm | 4.6.12 @ 4:03AM
You are evidence the manipulation of Goerge Soros SUCCEEDED when he said he liked Romney. Soros is guilty of nothing but lies and manipulation across the spectrum of his career--but he's BEING HONEST when he says he likes Romney???? If that's what you really believe, I have a bridge in Brooklyn...
Marco2| 4.5.12 @ 12:56AM
And 11 or 12 if you subtract the lib dems voting for your nutcase (you know, the one they're so afraid of).
Jodi| 4.4.12 @ 4:42PM
Please be an educated voter. Check out this new fact checking website:
www.VoteFacts.org
David| 4.4.12 @ 5:34PM
Will someone, maybe Oldfarte, please explain why he/she thinks Mitt has a better chance to beat Bam Bam than Rick?
I hope we can all agree that a stark contrast is needed and no shades of gray. So, other than Mitt is white and Bam Bam is an oreo, how did Mitt govern that is vastly different than Bam Bam?
We all know what Mitt says NOW, but if you think all of his old positions on the issues won't be the main topic for the dems and the media, you are kidding yourselves. He is going to spend the entire campaign explaining how or why he EVOLVED or GREW over the years.
gearjammer| 4.4.12 @ 6:22PM
Women 30-59. Latinos. Florida in the balance decided by these 2 groups. Go further to the right-go waaaaaaayyyyyyyyyy right, That'll win us their votes.
Mark in LA| 4.4.12 @ 6:10PM
The only inevitability is the any of Romney, Santorum, or Gingrich will get trounced by Obama.
gearjammer| 4.4.12 @ 6:34PM
You will learn to love Mittens, my dear little kittens. It is just a matter of time.
As November grows near, so grows your fear. Of Obama and the party of crime.
Kirath| 4.4.12 @ 6:46PM
A lot of you Romney people are just as bad as Democrats when it comes to name-calling and shifting the subject. I hope Santorum and Gingrich both stay in and make Romney earn the nomination. Enough of this anointed one bullcrap. Two of the most populous states haven't even voted yet. But I guess we should disenfranchise all of them because Mitt is "the one", right? Oh and BTW, no matter how much Mitt has, he's going to be outspent 2,3,4 to 1 by Obama just like he's doing to Santorum and Newt.
Russel| 4.4.12 @ 9:52PM
Nonsensical , Kir . Anyone who can read Tea Leaves sees Riclueless has lost and is GONE . There is no " annointed " you speak ; the numbers a child could read . The campaign money you claim to have an angle on ? - you've yet to see ANY money going into our coffers . We are fighting for our lives , so get on our side .
Adjoran| 4.4.12 @ 9:14PM
Wisconsin was NOT a "low turnout" - it was huge. Are facts banned from the fantasy world where Santorum has a chance.
See Stephen Green @ PJMedia for a math lesson.
Oldefarte| 4.4.12 @ 9:29PM
David, I'll try to answer your earliar question to me. I'm not so much a pro-Mitt person [or any other candidate] as I am anti-Obama/Democrats [and have been so most of my adult life]. I'm concerning with the GENERAL-OVERALL condition of this nation [since I as an individual of same are affected by the government's policies etc]. I simply don't get rah-rah over any of them, honestly. I'm strictly concerned with the economic/fianancial viability of this nation from it defecit/debt detrimental status [which has been building up over my entire lifetime to its extreme condition presently]. As such I'm FOR whoever IMHO can stand a chance of over a longterm decrease this defecit/debt and to benefit all of us, especially ME. Governmental revenue increase is not an option since taxpayers are overtaxed as it is and don't need a further tax burden placed uon them and their children. The one and only answer to governmental budgetary defecit/debt reduction is through longterm reduction of governmental expenses. Democrats will never agree to such reductions [and in fact are mostly repsonsible for the defecit/debt increases over my lifetime]. So the question becomes who among the Republicans is best qualified to manage/administer this needed reduction? Santorum is strictly concerned with social conservatism of religion etc and his professional experience has been solely that of a senator casting votes in congress [you can't expect a plumber to perform brain surgery]. Romney has been professionally trained/educated in business operations and as such is better suited to perform the governmental expense reductions needed. I don't do back filps over Mitt and never will, I'm just concerned with who most qualified for the job. And that my answer.....hope it's understandable if not necessarily agreed to by you or others!!!!!!
Oldefarte| 4.4.12 @ 9:36PM
Karath ansd others, It is not a question of Mitt or anyone else being annointed or DUE the nomination; but rather who can [1] beat Obama and [2] administer/manage this country's government to reduce its expenses and lower its defecit/debt. This country is going to financially die and become another Cuba if this economy is not remedied by the most qualified possible. Solving social problems of a religious nature will not be accompolished by government and not be a POTUS, so if anyone is hoping for the second coming of JC, they'll be sadly disappointed!!!!
SaintVince| 4.6.12 @ 12:12AM
Hoping for the second coming of JC? Nope. I put my faith in magic underwear.
Oldefarte| 4.4.12 @ 9:41PM
Mike Hawk and others, Santorum is NO REAGAN and never will be, and to attempt to equate the two is stupid. Santorum is nothing but a religious warrior who couldn't even obtain the votes of his own home state of Pa, and is a false-god just like the current president is to his followers. Think of this nation and what's good for its economic/financial survival and stop worrying about a Santorum religious warrior saving the world with his Catholic sword, okay??????????
Oldefarte| 4.4.12 @ 9:44PM
Loulou, No George Soros like Obama and has supported him in 2008. Soros does not like any Republican. Soros is a socialist just like his boytoy in the WH!!!!!!
Oldefarte| 4.4.12 @ 9:52PM
Tim, If whatever Republican loses to Obama it won't be because of the failure of said candidate, just as it wasn't so in 2008. Instead it will be because of the STUPIDITY of the American voters. Romney, McCain, Santorum etc can't overcome this stupidity. If the voters who should have the common sense to understand the extreme economic/financial danger that Obama/Democrats represent toward the nations survival but do not have same, then its the voters' fault, not Republican candidates. McCain should have won in 2008 but voters stupidly voted for this nice looking black guy shouting hope and change, and now their in shock over his policies of governmental repression. The public voters are repsonsible, so don't blame the R-candidates. It is our colletive faults for stupidly voting for Obama's election!!!!!!!!
David| 4.4.12 @ 10:54PM
Oldfarte, I really can't disagree with a lot of what you said. However, I really didn't get an answer to why you and others think ROmney has a better chance to beat Bam Bam rather than Santorum.
If your only answer to that is that Rick is a religious warrior, then you are sadly mistaken about Rick being only a religious social warrior, and you are sadly wrong about Mitt's chances against Bam Bam.
You have not offered how Mitt, who governed as a liberal and has a record to prove it, can run against and beat Bam Bam.
I have stated many times on this site why Santorum is the clearest contrast with the phony in office.
Oldefarte| 4.4.12 @ 11:57PM
Okay David let me try an answer you again hopefully to your satisfaction as to my reasoning. I THINK [and polls indicate this somewhat] that this recent dustup over religion and the Catholic Church possibly caused an 18% drop in Romney's public support among women. He and BB were pretty even in the polls among women voters until that started. Women [right or wrong] feel threatened by this incident, in that they think that the Republican Party represents an attack upon their access to abortion and/or birth control [again right or wrong okay?]. Women represent a huge voting block of the populus and can't be ignored by Republicans. If they're disgruntled over the Republican Party as such over this subject, thenk of how they'd feel with the Republican nominee being Santorum who led the charge of arguing the positions for the Catholic Church. Romney didn't open his mouth concerning same to my knowledge. It was most Santorum of the R-candidates. So is Rick is the candidate, the female vote is in jeopardy from the get-go. This religious aspect is a weight around the Republican's leg if they don't get off the subject. Its an unwinable issue and Santorum as its spokesman is doubly so!!!!!!!!
Ken Royall| 4.5.12 @ 2:00AM
This article is a fantasy and the writer should be fired. There is NO scenario in which Rick Santorum would win a floor fight with Romney at the convention should it ever get that far.
Romney would still be the biggest vote getter and he would only need a few delegates to fall in with him to win. Unless someone finds a dead hooker in the trunk of Romney's car, he IS the nominee. We can win this thing if the morons like the guy who wrote this article would face facts and get with the program.
SaintVince| 4.6.12 @ 12:07AM
That's right. Get in line, get with the program and nominate another loser ticket in the form of a moderate Republican. Evidently we can't learn, can't learn, can't learn, can't learn, can't learn....
Chris Hamm | 4.6.12 @ 3:46AM
Ah, some sobriety from Mr. Royall. Thanks, dude. What an awful article from a sore loser and a small-minded man. If Romney loses, it'll be thanks to nitwits like this. Everyone whines about Romney outspending his opponents--as if Romney was still spending his own money! He's outspent them because...HE ATTRACTED MORE MONEY TO HIS CAMPAIGN! This is NOT a flaw, guys. It's the work of a man who can GET THINGS DONE. It's the result of someone who can build an organization and make it function. And this is because, unlike Santorum, he bowed out with dignity four years ago and STRENGTHENED the party instead of deflating it. "Flowing in money. Outspent his rivals." These are certain to be lines from Democrats in the coming months. And folks like the "other" McCain are the obvious inspiration for such bunk.
SaintVince| 4.8.12 @ 12:26AM
Chris, If Obomney loses it's because he's a weak candidate. An article on a conservative site, or even a hundred articles, shouldn't be enough to de-rail a strong canidate. The only reason there are more Obomney pushers reacting to this article is because he is a WEAK candidate...period. Strong would be able to get past a simple, simple, facts based article. Fact is, Obomney is winning because of $$. He won't have the $$ Obama will have. If Obomney's tactic is to outspend....he'll lose. If Obomney's tactic is to out-idea....he'll lose...becasue Obama and Obomney have been the same on so many issues for so long. He is a good person and seems like a good man. But his perscription for "fixing" America is more big gov and more big spending....just in a Republican way. We need a CONSERVATIVE my friend, and Obomney is not it.
JSMITH| 4.5.12 @ 4:11AM
The Rhinos backing RhinoRomney, who stands for nothing but negative ads against a principaled conservative, the honorable Rick Santorum have been saying the race is over since Iowa and repeating it ad nauseum. Stand for nothing Romney will probably get the nomination, no true conservative and patriot will be in his corner, all the states he won in the primary will go to Hussein in the general election and he will lose, we will lose the country but the Rhinos will get richer. TIME FOR A THIRD PARTY-KICK THE UN OUT OF THE US/ SCHOOL CHOICE/ NO AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/ NO IMF/ NO FUNDING FOR ALL THE LEFT WING GROUPS.
jean allen| 4.5.12 @ 2:08PM
I can't find much commentary about Ron Paul. Maybe you could steer me to it.
Brian Richard Allen | 4.5.12 @ 2:51PM
I pray and trust Messrs Santorum and Gingrich and Doctor Paul will scratch and claw for every vote and for every delegate and will keep the Republican Campaign alive until it reaches the place it must reach to ensure an actual Republican -- which Mittens has never been and is not now -- has a crack at the nomination.
And when that place is reached - in Tampa if that is what it takes - I shall be praying and trusting, still, too, our Nominee is also an actual Christian and/or a man of a Judeo-Christian persuasion. Which Inner-Temple-Mob-bed-up Mittens, the Massachusetts' Moderate, has never been and is not now!
Chris Hamm | 4.6.12 @ 3:57AM
Ah, the anti-Mormonism surfaces! Why do many bloggers even bother with the RINO and "Massachusett Moderate" stuff when the obvious rationale for disliking Mitt is so transparent in a silly post like this? Actually this is probably the most honest sentiment from a detracter we've yet heard. And it goes to show that certain liberal critics may have a point when they talk about some conservatives being borderline bigots, mere inches from wielding torches and pitchforks. Fortunately, I'm ALSO a Conservative, and this man's words do NOT represent my America.
SaintVince| 4.8.12 @ 12:31AM
That's right Chris, you've solved the problem! Damn it, and just because of Brian's post! We would have gotten away with it too if it wasn't for you pesky, snooping, Obomney supporters!
SaintVince| 4.5.12 @ 11:21PM
I have my family calling him Obomney. Little difference on some important issues. Obomney runs in whatever groove, left/middle/right, suits the situation that hour. The idea that he is trying to run to the RIGHT of Santorum is laughable. And we wonder why our country continues down the path of decay regardless of what party is in the Oval.
Chris Hamm | 4.6.12 @ 3:33AM
These are the sourest grapes I've yet heard. An obvious "pusher" for the Santorum prescription. This article is more evidence of another small-minded carper trumpeting the line that Mitt is a moderate. Strange when four years ago--even according to Santorum--he was the conservative alternative to the "other" McCain. Times change--even as they remain exactly the same.