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Ray Manzarek, R.I.P.
May 20, 2013 | 0 comments
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Thoughts on The Tornado in Moore, Oklahoma
May 20, 2013 | 1 comment
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Alan O’Day, R.I.P.
May 20, 2013 | 3 comments
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Elijah Harper, R.I.P.
May 18, 2013 | 1 comment
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That’s a Lot of Caca in Caracas
May 16, 2013 | 7 comments
The Spectacle Blog
I wasn’t impressed with Rick Santorum’s debate performance last night but it appears that I am in the minority.
Santorum has won praise from the likes of The Wall Street Journal, The Christian Science Monitor, the Director of Debate at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Rich Lowry (who also praised Newt which I’m sure pained him greatly) and, of course, our own Quin Hillyer. Yet I suspect that Quin would have praised Santorum’s debate performance if he had come out dressed up as a construction worker, sporting a mustache and led the crowd in singing, “Y.M.C.A.”
However, I wasn’t alone in my skepticism of Santorum. Our venerable editor Wlady Pleszczynski thought Santorum’s performance benefitted Romney. But Michael Medved had nothing but scorn for Santorum:
The big loser: Rick Santorum, whose insufferably sanctimonious demeanor answered all questions about why social conservatives have begun to coalesce around Newt Gingrich rather than the former Pennsylvania senator. His decision to issue smug, full-bore attacks on every one of his rivals backfired badly. He ended up playing the role of skunk at the garden party, more eager to snicker at opponents than to make an emotional connection with the electorate. Any chance for Santorum to reverse recently plummeting poll numbers vanished with this debate. Paul, as always, made clear that he cared most about his small-government ideals and advancing his notion of constitutionalism; Romney and Gingrich showed a near-obsessive (and appropriate) focusing on defeating Obama; but Santorum concentrated on showing that his fellow contenders didn’t count as “conviction conservatives” and that he boasted the purest record of them all.
The public doesn’t care primarily about finding the “true conservative”; the people want somebody who can come to Washington to clean house, to fix the mess, and to get the government functioning more acceptably again. As decent and admirable as he may be, that somebody won’t be Rick Santorum.
Ouch!!!
Let me put it this way. If Newt Gingrich were to be kidnapped by martians between now and tomorrow and it were down to three, I find Santorum infinitely preferable to Romney and Paul. Yet he can be annoying even when I agree with what he has to say. Indeed, Santorum had some salient points about Romneycare especially where it concerned wait times. But if it’s not OK for Romney to support an individual mandate at the state level and not the federal level then why is it OK for Santorum to support federal right to work legislation but oppose it in his own backyard?
So why wouldn’t Santorum just say he’ll release his tax returns the day after the debate? I’m not sure what was weirder. That Rick Santorum said his tax return was on his computer at home and that he wasn’t at home or that he said so in a Southern accent. And what was with the whispering into the microphone?
At the risk of agreeing with Ron Paul, Santorum was being “overly sensitive” about his criticisms of federal funds to hospitals which could be used for abortion instead of more conventional birth control methods. I thought Paul’s intended target was Newt, not Santorum. Paul made Santorum look silly when he said, “I wasn’t even thinking of you.”
Ouch!!!
But even if most people who watched the debate thought Santorum did well, it won’t necessarily translate into votes. The latest Real Clear Politics average has him in fourth place at 11.2% trailing Paul by 2.2.% and I would be surprised if that will change much between now and Saturday. If Santorum is going to surge again, he pretty much has to do it now. And by now I mean right now.
SpiralArchitect| 1.20.12 @ 4:28PM
Santorum did well...compared to previous nights.
The first two debates he reminded me of a kid that found the candy jar. How could he breath when he was that excited!!
Thanks for the laf.
TycheSD| 1.20.12 @ 4:30PM
I can't believe I agree with Michael Medved. I tweeted last night: Santorum = Sanctimonious.
Mike Rogers | 1.21.12 @ 11:21AM
Made from pure Sanctimonium :(
And I had begun to believe that the dark horse favorite of some of my friends might just make it, but Thursday's performance did not reinforce the impression - once more a weird combination of populism and sanctimoniousness.
Notwithstanding his accurate zinger that "Newt never had a problem with grandiosity", Santorum hurt himself more than his opponents - perhaps he should endorse Newt, after all - he'd make a great veep.
Morgan| 1.20.12 @ 4:37PM
Santorum had a strong start in the debate, but it was clear by the end that he had struck out. I disagree with the author about the infinitely preferable candidate in the race. That candidate is Ron Paul, who did a much better job of articulating his stances than in Monday night's debate.
bill| 1.20.12 @ 4:56PM
Santorum VOTED AGAINST "Right-to-Work" law, citing PA is a pro-union state, while he vowed to support the law if he becomes the President.
I do not buy that argument.
Dan| 1.20.12 @ 7:16PM
Remember,
Santorum targets Romney for his conduct while Governor in Mass, and blasts Romney's attempted defense thereof when he reminds voters than he was governing Massachusetts.
BUT when it comes to right to work legislation, Santorum defends himself by referring to the unique makeup of politics in Pennsylvania.
Couldn't Santorum be a bit consistent in his attacks, and in the rationales that he deems acceptable.
Derek Leaberry| 1.20.12 @ 5:35PM
Santorum is not going to be the nominee. Since Iowa, he has lost the internal conservative primary to Gingrich because Gingrich is not only more plausible but because he is more of a known quantity. Romney's early success frightened conservatives into coalescing around a single candidate and, as flawed as Gingrich is, he didn't lose his last election by an 18 point margin like Santorum did. Paul and Santorum can stay in the primary race, get a space at debate podiums, and win delegates to the convention, but both are second-tier to Romney and Gingrich.
I am not surprised at Medved's contempt for Santorum. Medved's antecedents not only are on the left, his worldview is still informed by leftist notions. Social conservatives and paleo-conservatives are not only beyond the pale, Medved doesn't even understand their point-of-view. For Medved, as with many neo-conservatives, the greatest enemy is to their right.
darcy| 1.21.12 @ 4:19PM
I hope you're wrong, Derek. Santorum is the only candidate speaking openly about ending chain migration. Demographic changes are the biggest threat to our Republic because they reflect the reality that our elites intend to dilute forever what remains of Western civilization in America, and with it the shreds of our Constitution still in place.
The 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act had that as its goal -- and it may be too late to reverse the damage. At least Santorum senses this and is willing to make chain migration a campaign issue while the other candidates avoid it like the plague. And why? Because both Romney -- with all his business smarts -- and Gingrich -- with all his verbal finesse -- are on board with the globalist agenda. Moreover, I do not think you'll see the Republican establishment getting in line behind Santorum -- and for me, that's a good thing.
Our ship is going down. Romney and Gingrich would keep it afloat maybe a while longer. But they won't stop the flow of third worlders to our shores because it's simply not politically expedient and it's contrary to what they see as the inevitability of the "open society."
Clint| 1.20.12 @ 6:27PM
" CBS Poll: Independents Prefer Ron Paul Vs Obama
In a head to head match up with incumbent President Barack Obama, the indie voter chooses Ron Paul, a CBS News poll suggested on Monday.
A total of 47% of independent voters said they would choose Ron Paul compared to 45% of independent voters choosing Mitt Romney against Obama, and 41% of independents saying they would choose Rick Santorum. If a Paul-Obama showdown were ever to take place, 47% of independent voters would vote for Paul, 81% republicans and 10% Democrats for a total of 45% of the vote. Obama would get just 40% of the independent vote in that contest, with 85% of the Democrats choosing Obama and 9% of Republicans choosing the President on election day in November. Obama would win the general election by a narrow one point margin if the election was held today between the two."
The Tea Party Rebellion Is In South Carolina.
Nite| 1.20.12 @ 7:06PM
I have no doubt that Santorum is a good and decent man. However, he does not have the money or organization to win the nomination. It is better to vote for Newt. Everyone is well acquainted with Newt's faults. Unless you want Romney to win, vote for Newt.
Dan| 1.20.12 @ 7:13PM
Aaron,
the only issue after last night's debate was whether Marianne Gingrich was LESS bitter than former Senator Rick Santorum.
Santorum didn't acquit himself well, and for him to pretend that Gingrich turned a blind eye to corruption in the House, when he was in the minority or majority, was just flat-out false.
Trinacria| 1.20.12 @ 7:43PM
Agree with you (and Medved) completely, Aaron. There's simply not an ounce of leadership in his DNA; he's a cross between a petulant whining boob and a smug, sanctimonious classmate who always raises his hand to remind the teacher that she forgot to assign homework. Hell, if he weren't constantly reminding us of what an exemplary Catholic he is, I'd swear he was an 80 year old jewish woman from Long Island. And with all due respect to the lovely jewish women of Long Island, that ain't leadership, folks.
Cheryl| 1.21.12 @ 1:53AM
AMEN! Eddie Haskell Santorum needs a ticket HOME!
Paul McGrath| 1.20.12 @ 9:56PM
"Gravitas," was the word they threw around a bit a few years ago--fairly or unfairly--as it regarded Dan Quayle. Quayle is and was a good man, but in a certain way there was something to be said for this comment. Quayle was a lightweight. He was a one-term senator before becoming VP, and he looked like a schoolboy.
As does Santorum. Is he really going to be the leader of the free world? Santorum against Putin? Or the Chinese? Or PELOSI?
Sorry, Rick. You're a great guy. But you're a kid. Run Pennsylvania as governor for ten years--successfully--then get back to me.
Mike Rogers | 1.21.12 @ 11:24AM
Captain of the Starship Moral Enterprise!
mjs_pa| 1.20.12 @ 10:13PM
Overly sensitive? I think Aaron is projecting his own personality problems upon Santorum.
He'll owe Quin and Rick an apology when Santorum is sworn into office 1 year from today.
Casey Abell| 1.20.12 @ 11:36PM
"He'll owe Quin and Rick an apology when Santorum is sworn into office 1 year from today."
Sanctimony Santorum is running for dog catcher somewhere? Because his dead-last finish tomorrow swears him out of the GOP race.
Mike| 1.20.12 @ 11:55PM
Everyone is trying to get over the fact that Santorum's wife shacked and shagged out of wedlock. This should draw supporters from Santorum to Newt, especially in S.C.
Dai Alanye | 1.21.12 @ 3:49AM
Knock the man if you wish but try not to follow the lead of Andrew Sullivan by going after his family. That's as low as it gets, a liberal's trick.
Mike| 1.21.12 @ 9:07AM
But Republicans in South Carolina do this all of the time. Remember the attack on McCain's daughter? And the one on Huntsman's family. Must be a Republican trick too.
Cheryl| 1.21.12 @ 1:48AM
Wow! This article was spot on! Santorum looked just like the Whiney, robotic person he has since he first appeared! While smiling and SAYING he is the best guy he has that little gleam in his eye that lets you KNOW he is a EDDIE HASKELL!! He is the type that would stab his best friend in the back at every turn and the words that come out of his mouth NEVER match these so called values he keeps touting. I really wish he would take his poor mouthing and be done after SC!!
mjs_pa| 1.21.12 @ 8:03AM
You do realize that both you and Aaron criticize Santorum for the very same thing you are doing?
Not?
It's called projection.
martin j smith| 1.21.12 @ 8:27AM
You know a lot of our candidates for President can use a seminar in campaigning against Socialists. They strike me as being very naive,foolish and ignorant--and in some cases quite arrogant.
Newt does not strike me as naive,or ignorant-sometimes foolish and arrogant. Newt has the ability to win and appears to want to win--The others-well not so much. Santorum is n the not so much crowd.
Pete| 1.21.12 @ 1:34PM
I was not much of a soldier, but I do know this. If you go to war you better find a warrior to lead you. It took Lincoln quite a while to find such a warrior. People are gravitating towards Newt because he is a warrior. I think to some degree Paul has shown he is also. Santorum not so much and Romney NOT AT All.
senecasd| 1.21.12 @ 8:57AM
So which Republican candidate is most likely to appoint pro life judges to the US Supreme Court? In descending order, Santorum, (big gap) Gingrich, Paul (really big gap) Romney.
Mike| 1.21.12 @ 11:18AM
So why, even with the endorsements of the religious right heavyweights, is Santorum unable to get traction?
Drek| 1.21.12 @ 1:14PM
Santorum fails to find traction because he comes across as a boring scold.
It's one thing to defend traditional values, it's quite another to irritate one and all by smugly patting yourself on your back for your blameless existence.
It's a fool that damns others for succumbing to temptations that never troubled him.
In WAR AND PEACE, Tolstoy begins the novel with Prince Andrei ridiculing the very idea of Pierre or any man fighting a duel. Yet how does the novel conclude, with Prince Andrei desperately scrambling about to get Kuragin in a duel, so that he can kill him.
Santorum is a guy that life is going to deliver a wake-up call to, and when that happens, it's not going to be pretty. Won't necessarily happen before the cameras, won't necessarily happen to him, but it will happen.
Every man and woman on this earth has a cross, every single one, and crosses crush, crosses break, crosses end in death.
Mike| 1.21.12 @ 1:35PM
John Kennedy appeared before the Southern Baptist Convention to assure people that he would not be a puppet of the Vatican and that he would observe and enforce the requirements of the First Amendment concerning religion. No group has asked the same of Rick Santorum. The issue is not whether Santorum would be a puppet of the Vatican; the question is whether or not he would attempt to use the power of the federal government to force all Americans to live according to the teachings of the Roman Catholic church concerning same sex marriage, abortion and contraception.
Clearly, Santorum sincerely embraces the church's teachings. This is his right and nobody is attempting to stop him from living in accordance with his beliefs. Nor should they. The fundamental question is, Would Santorum respect the rights of those who don't share his beliefs?
Drek| 1.21.12 @ 1:18PM
It's not necessarily "pro-life" judges that are required.
It's originalists.
It's judges who understand not just why Roe was bad law, but why Casey that is now controlling is equally bad law.
Why Lawrence was wrongly decided.
The issues that confront us EXTEND WAY BEYOND Roe/Casey.
Republicans fixated on abortion, MUCH LIKE SANTORUM AND HIS WIFE BY THE WAY, are mildly creepy.
Which is why Santorum isn't finding traction. Nobody wants to spend any length of time in Santorum's presence, because he's a scold, a bore, and a tiresome, unimaginative bore at that.
Gingrich on the other hand dazzles.
Who wouldn't find it fascinating to have a beer with Gingrich.
But who would prefer spending any time with the wearisome and earnest duo of Romney/Santorum.
Pete| 1.21.12 @ 1:28PM
I like Santorum, but believe he just hasn't caught on just as Bachmann hasn't. If he finishes 4th, he really should drop out. Certainly the money isn't there for him to go much further. Let it be Romney, Gingrich, Paul for the rest of the primaries and lets see who gets most votes. We could still end up with a brokered election in which anyone could emerge.
Just a guess, but if Santorum drops out, I bet he throws his support to Romney. I think he is more a company man.
Mike| 1.21.12 @ 4:41PM
There seems to be a great deal of wishful thinking about a brokered convention. Speaks volumes about how Republicans are feeling about the candidates.
Brent| 1.21.12 @ 10:25PM
A good test would be to have each guy give a 15 minute speech before AIPAC. The one guy up there that would tell Jews that they're on their own, ie no more billions, no more weapons, no more lobby's, no more organizations with tax free status in America is RON PAUL.
RP acts goofy at times for sure. Get over it.