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The Spectacle Blog
Quin, I can’t see how Santorum could have won the debate when his most powerful moment came when he went after Newt Gingrich as someone who, for all his brilliance, you never know might “pop off” next. It’s insights of that sort that could slow Newt’s surge, especially in the wake of Newt’s explosive opening at gentlemanly John King’s expense. So by going after Newt the way he did Santorum only helped Mitt Romney maintain his lead in the South Carolina race, making Romney de facto winner.
It was interesting nonetheless to see Santorum and Gingrich go at it in such personal terms, particularly given their heretofore all but forgotten closeness on the road to 1994. Back in the day Santorum used to openly acknowledge his debt to Gingrich and GOPAC and all they taught him about a Reaganite conservatism he hadn’t known much about. This time, it was rather embarrassing to see the onetime student attempt to put the mentor in his place, when he charged Newt with doing nothing to expose the House Bank scandal in the runup to the ‘94 elections. Newt’s response to that pretty much wiped the floor with upstart Rick, a reminder that they don’t operate on the same level. That particular exchange would not have meant much to anyone who doesn’t remember that golden era, but to my mind it captured Santorum with all his limitations.
Similarly, Santorum pleaded for understanding that he now supports right to work legislation having once opposed it. It was the sort of argument he wasn’t willing to extend to Romney on his changed views. Don’t see how such high schoolish debating behavior is the stuff of a winner.
View all comments (16) | Leave a comment
More Blog Posts by Wlady Pleszczynski
http://spectator.org/blog/2012/01/19/santorum-helps-romney-survive
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Casey Abell| 1.19.12 @ 10:57PM
Wlady makes too much sense to write for the Spectator (just kidding, sort of). I agree with his take on the debate completely.
Santorum is just doing Romney's work by ripping into Gingrich. Mitt's the winner of the debate tonight by default, more or less. He didn't make any mistakes, and he has Santorum and Gingrich duking it out now.
Jack in Wi.| 1.19.12 @ 11:08PM
The whole debate was laughable. The only adult on the stage was Ron Paul. How do you think the 3 stooges. Mitt, Rick and Newt will ever get elected and if elected get anything done? Only Ron Paul and Romney are electable, by polling numbers, and Newt and Santorum are trying to destroy whatever chance Romney had. It is Ron Paul or ruin.
Anonymous| 1.22.12 @ 7:20AM
I'm sorry, did I just read that Romney won by default, please do not embarrass yourselves. Santorum made a fool of himself by trying to attack his mentor. This in no way helped Romney. Romney is a business man and that is all he is, We need a leader, Romney is not a leader let alone a contender against Gingrich. Pay more attention in the future the only one duking it out was Santorum and his own shadow.
Casey Abell| 1.19.12 @ 11:07PM
But before Russ notes it, I will say that Intrade disagrees with me and Wlady. Newt is now the favorite for the SC primary. We'll see Saturday night.
mjs_pa| 1.19.12 @ 11:16PM
It's hard to understand how you can compare "right to work" with "right to life."
One is clearly an unalienable right and the other a state's right issue.
Dan| 1.19.12 @ 11:23PM
This debate was Santorum's Fredo moment: "I'm smart, I won Iowa, ------------ and I WANT RESPECT!"
WL| 1.20.12 @ 12:02AM
Mr. Wlady...
Your analysis is totally accurate....however, I would have only made one point a little more clear...
Ricky S. attacked Newt personally FIRST.
Newt only hit him back hard...because Newt just does that...and that's why we love him (for the most part)...
Santorum is in the last efforts to stay near the top...when you have to tell the audience that you have done well (as he did once in the debate)...then that means one thing... YOU ARENT DOING WELL NOW....and he knows it.
WL| 1.20.12 @ 12:04AM
Where you at CLINT?
You can't let this article go on with out some of your ignorant blather can you?
Come on Basement rube....the Tea Party Rebellion must be rising SOMEWHERE UP IN HERE!!!
Clint| 1.20.12 @ 6:05AM
You Seem Very Distraught & PMS'y Mrs.WL.
Was It Something I Said, Sweetie Pie ?
Call Bibi.
WL| 1.20.12 @ 6:36AM
No...
The honest truth is...it's just a real kick to press your buttons and get you to go on one of those "Isreal Firster Bund Ass Clown etc etc" rants....
By the way, I like Bibi...you should too...he's a tremendous leader with alot of strength we could use here...
Call Adolf.
Clint| 1.20.12 @ 7:15AM
Surprize !
The Israel Firster Smear Bund Likes Bibi.
Now, Go Fetch Bibi's Bone.
Mark| 1.20.12 @ 1:00AM
Newt Gingrich started out as a a Rockefeller Republican. For one brief year, he "was" a conservative. (1994) Then he moved back to the left, stopping way further than Rockefeller Republican. Wlady, why would any conservative consider voting for Gingrich?
And by the way, Santorum was right- he does pop of from time to time. (Has there ever been a more unlikeable politician to the general public?)
RJ| 1.20.12 @ 3:22AM
I thought Romney had his problems tonight. He was weak on the tax returns again and failed to answer the Bain Capital question about the failed company in South Carolina. His big problem is that he is unable to convey conviction on any of the major issues. Unfortunately for him, he comes across as a blue-blood and does not seem to be authentic on the issues. He just doesn't connect with many of the voters.
m| 1.20.12 @ 6:55AM
Santorum and Romney need to be out of the race. I watch the debate last night-Santorum look so angry and Romney is still not telling the truth. Gingrich won the debate last night.
Teflon93| 1.20.12 @ 8:42AM
Gee, Wlady, don't you think your "Romney always wins" nonsense fits in better over at National Romney Online?
David T| 1.20.12 @ 9:51AM
Up until last night, I thought a Gingrich-Santorum ticket would be just the, well, ticket for the GOP in 2012. But after Santorum popped off with his Gingrich-is-too-prone-to-pop-off comment, my hopes are dashed.
Gingrich-Jindal, anyone?