The Spectacle Blog
A bizarre scandal has struck Mitt Romney’s campaign in Arizona, just four days before a crucial Republican presidential debate. According to the Phoenix New Times, an illegal Mexican immigrant claims that he was threatened with deportation if he refused to be silent about a homosexual affair with the sheriff of Pinal County, Arizona.
Sheriff Paul Babeu, who had been co-chairman of Romney’s Arizona campaign, resigned from that position Saturday and admitted he is homosexual, but denied that he or his lawyer had threatened to deport the Mexican man with whom he had been sexually involved. David Catanese of Politico reports:
“All of the allegations are false except one, I am gay,” Babeu said.
The nationally renowned Pinal County Sheriff called a news conference to address the explosive story by The Phoenix New Times that he pressured a man only identified as “Jose” into signing an agreement to conceal their relationship or face deportation.
The piece, posted late Friday, also includes text messages Babeu exchanged with the man and pictures he posted on online gay websites.Babeu repeatedly sidestepped questions about his personal life but acknowledged a relationship with the man in question.
“What I do in my personal life and private life is my business,” he said.
Sheriff Babeu resigned his volunteer position with the Romney campaign, but said he would continue his GOP primary challenge in Arizona’s 4th Congressional District against freshman Rep. Paul Gosar.
The scandal is a major embarrassment to Romney, who is due to appear Wednesday in a debate in Mesa, Arizona, to be televised on CNN. The former Massachusetts governor had benefitted from the endorsement of Sheriff Babeu, who had a reputation as a fierce opponent of illegal immigration. Yet the sheriff has now admitted a gay affair with a man whom he knew to be an illegal immigrant.
Although Romney had been expected easily to win the Feb. 28 Arizona primary, the latest Rasmussen poll showed former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum rapidly closing the gap after defeating Romney Feb. 7 in Missouri, Minnesota and Colorado.
View all comments (65) | Leave a comment
Related Blog Posts
More Blog Posts by Robert Stacy McCain
http://spectator.org/blog/2012/02/18/romney
Follow us:
ADVERTISEMENT
Current Issue
- Ailes: A Voice for the Silent Majority
- Peace in Our Times
- Nuts to Nutter
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
Bob K.| 2.18.12 @ 10:08PM
How important is this?
Al| 2.19.12 @ 8:16AM
Hey, Other McCain, while you're at it shouldn't you also report about Santorum's saying that Protestants are not Christians? http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21.....4#46438704
Garfield| 2.19.12 @ 2:27PM
Honestly if that report is true Al, I would say it is more important than this scandal.
Unless Romney is somehow directly involved in this scandal I don't see this is an issue and I quite frankly can't stand Romney.
fckewe| 2.19.12 @ 9:53PM
it's likely that Romney KNOWS this Babuebabyboytoy biblically!
fckewe| 2.19.12 @ 10:00PM
Talk about ATTACKS on RELIGIOUS FREEDOM!!!! This Santorum dripping fool is going to make sweatervests the national uniform and ALL schools will HAVE to be MANDATED as CATHOLIC entities and ALLL TEACHERS must abandon their families, Convert to Gingrichism and become nuns.
Male teachers will have to undego STATE funded sexchange surgery to qualify as a "Sister of Santorum" in order to maintain their Catholic teacher's certificate.
Anommynous| 2.20.12 @ 10:56AM
I don't share that interpretation of his comments. He starts out, actually, stating that our nation's Judeo-Christian tradition is largely based on the Protestant tradition, and he praises the Protestant work ethic. What he's saying is that modern Mainline Protestant churches have turned their back on their values that made our nation so great.
Look at the current state of the Episcopal Church with openly homosexual (Vicki Gene Robinson)/ lesbian (Mary Glasspool) bishops. The leadership in the Mainline Protestant chruches is generally trending liberal and is alienating and driving away many of its members. Membership in many of these churches are in a precipitous decline.
Rick Santorum perhaps painted with too broad of a brush, but I certainly didn't get from that speech that he believes that Protestants aren't Christian.
fckewe| 2.19.12 @ 9:52PM
It's as important as Obama talking to William Ayers at a luncheon. if THAT is a major RED menace issue, then THIS is a DEFINITION of severe Republican, in the closet election fraud, vote tampering and Ronmey's "Marriage in name only" to the mother of his gay lover's children just for political appearances sake.
it is as important as the RED part House, hijacking a bill, negotiating useless terms behind closed doors and violating the not only the will of the citizens, but the entire integrity of the Constitution.
Bob| 2.18.12 @ 10:21PM
This stinks of a Democrat hit job.
hmm_contrib| 2.19.12 @ 12:08AM
Democrats made him gay or Democrats made him hide it?
C'mon - Democrats can't control biology or make men have sex with other men. Let's unwind the tin foil hat here, a little.
fckewe| 2.19.12 @ 10:01PM
OMG! Do you KNOW for a FACT that this Babeuboytoy hits on DEMOCRATS , TOO!!!! Take about WHACKMEOFF jobs!!
Bo| 2.20.12 @ 9:52AM
Bob, I agree. This is all too convenient. They knew his was gay and they cooked up this illegal immigrant angle. In their minds it does not compute that a gay man could be a law and order Republican so they had to tear him down.
albert constantine jr.| 2.18.12 @ 10:28PM
I suppose any comment should start with “Not that there’s anything wrong with that”.
I recall a couple of years ago, when the Obama administration was bringing its pressure to bear against Arizona’s new public safety measures against illegal immigration, Sheriff Babeu (who I believe was President of the AZ Sheriff’s Association, or some such organization) was frequently interviewed about the dangers posed by the federal government’s lack of response to human and drug smuggling. While Sheriff Babeu seemed to be an earnest opponent of the hazards brought on by unchecked illegal immigration and the associated crime, I discerned that all of his colleagues were not necessarily enamored of him (I recall an interview with Sheriff Arpaio where referred to him somewhat dismissively).
Perhaps a knowledge that such a scandal was looming was at the root of this.
On the other hand, if you said Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dubnik had a gay illegal immigrant lover, I would guess that he was doing it to court potential votes.
darcy| 2.19.12 @ 1:25AM
The tell, as far as I was concerned, was a 2010 McCain campaign TV ad in which Sheriff Babeu and John McCain appeared together, walking side-by-side along a border fence. John McCain says something stupid, like, "Let's get the damn fence built." And then Sheriff Babeu chimes in endorsing McCain as the man for the job. So, Babeu is bought and paid for by John McCain? Then he's a man not to be trusted, I thought at the time.
But I never dreamed that underneath his tough exterior, behind Babeu's strong law and order, rule of law, speeches (as I've heard him in person a number of times) was a man in the grips of the homosexual lifestyle. We're not supposed to notice, these days, that such a lifestyle compromises one's conscience and leaves people who are in the public eye -- if they're courting the conservative vote -- open to blackmail and worse.
It's a sad story all around.
Drek| 2.19.12 @ 2:26PM
Such activity shatters moral thresholds, and those thresholds are healthy, natural and life affirming.
We in the West desperately need such thresholds to be resurrected.
There are those who say "we can't turn back the clock."
To which I reply, ------ you're damn right we can, and we will, because if we are to save this country, our morality must rest on the firm foundation of Natural Law.
darcy| 2.19.12 @ 3:42PM
I agree with you, Drek, and I think the phrase, "shatters moral thresholds," is one worth repeating over and over. Maybe the postmodernists will finally understand that the consequences of relativism are devastating to a well-ordered society.
fckewe| 2.19.12 @ 10:06PM
Did The Sheriff wear his gun and his badge to "Court" John McCain? i mean, they WERE walking arm in arm weren't they? The Sheriff's "John" was "the man for the job..." right?
Did you EVER believe for a minute that 5 years of electrotesticle torture left him capable of erections? Do you REALLY believe that Charles Keating was NOT his hot young wife's lover @ his home in the Bahmas? I mean, she would go there ALONE with the S&L bank fraud kingpin.
Keating paid for that hot wife... $112,000. is that hot young RED party ho daughter REALLY have ANY McCain genes?
Stan Redmond| 2.18.12 @ 11:54PM
It's only bad when a republican is gay. Barney Frank can run prostitution and drugs out of his house with his boyfriend and nothing....
Let the hypocracy commence
hmm_contrib| 2.19.12 @ 12:09AM
Who said it was bad that Sheriff Paul was gay?
rnd| 2.19.12 @ 11:27AM
Paul does in the book of Romans. Chapter 1. A must read -- and heed -- for all of us. To review: Who says it is bad? God does. And He uses stronger language than just 'bad.'
fckewe| 2.19.12 @ 10:09PM
No hypocracy, Frank was honest about it. Not like the Airport Senator, the tap dancing... you know who... The guy who couldn't even be honest AFTER he was booked and bonded out to await TRAIL as a sex offender!
Gimme his name again, and I'll check the national predator databases.
Bill| 2.18.12 @ 11:57PM
I wonder Romney is a gay!
Al| 2.19.12 @ 8:19AM
Maybe you should ask his one and only long-time wife and children.
fckewe| 2.19.12 @ 10:09PM
Ann WOULD be the best beard....
Would YOU do her with your boyfriends dick?
Drek| 2.19.12 @ 12:27AM
Why do you think that Drudge and Coulter are supporting Romney?
Though it is sad to see that in about two decades, utter moral and intellectual confusion has descended on conservatives about this issue.
Conservatives seem hesitant and beleaguered simply saying that the idea of same sex marriage is bizarre.
And now you can barely find anybody outside of a pulpit who will maintain that homosexuality is a demonstrable disorder.
Conservatives supposedly oppose the liberal agenda, and they oppose the welfare state, confiscatory taxation, they oppose efforts to ban the death penalty, they oppose liberal efforts to redefine patriotism. And on issue after issue conservatives still oppose all aspects of the liberal agenda.
EXCEPT when it comes to sexuality, for there men who style themselves conservative now act as guardians for the "advances" made by the left.
albert constantine jr.| 2.19.12 @ 8:57AM
Much of my own personal opposition to homosexuality is religiously based. Absent a direct threat to life, I generally am not bothered about how others choose to live their lives in the privacy of their own homes, and figure that that is between them and God.
On the other hand, once activity is no longer private, and in the realm of public policy such as the government issuing marriage licenses or creating special protected classes in hate crime or anti-discrimination legislation, I figure I get to weigh in with my view of morality, social utility, etc. , and cast my vote in accordance with these.
In my view, what is so objectionable is that in the last two decades we have gone from not legally punishing sodomy to being forced to recognize and celebrate homosexuality, and most of this has not been achieved through the electoral process. In fact, when put to referendum, the majority votes almost always against further expansion of the homosexual agenda, but the courts consistently overturn this, based on what I believe is flawed analysis that is counter to the Constitution.
With respect to Sheriff Babeu, though, I am mostly just saddened by the spectacle, but not as surprised as I wish I was, for reasons noted in the previous post..
Drek| 2.19.12 @ 9:46AM
Opposition to homosexuality, not just same sex marriage, but all aspects of homosexuality, flows from two sources.
One is the Decalogue of course, and the Bible, where it is listed as one of only four sins that call down judgement from Heaven.
But the other source of opposition, and this is where there has been an absolute break down in our culture, is the intellect. Homosexuality itself is an obvious and demonstrable misuse of that which was intended for procreation. Man and woman are compatable sexually, precisely designed by Nature to fit with the other, a man enters, a woman receives.
Homosexuality is by any objective standard, obviously against nature, because man's anus was not equipped to receive. Nobody's anus secretes lubricating fluids? Now do they?
I strongly suggest that those interested in a more detailed look at the rampant pathologies swirling throughout that community pick up David Horowitz's The Politics of Bad Faith. In that book, Horowitz examines the consequences of leftist pathology, and a pathology that throws the cover of normality over the bathhouse culture of San Fran.
After reading that, ---------- nobody is going to attempt to suggest that homosexuality is anything but disordered, and a disorder that has real world consequences.
But it should be noted that the Bible and the Decalogue CONFIRM and VALIDATE what the judgement of reason already proscribes.
To say as much doesn't mean one is a scold, nor does it mean one is against sex. What it means is that one refuses to place his brain on a shelf just so as to be politically correct.
Of course saying this, I sure don't want the 2012 election cycle to devolve into questions of homosexuality and contraception. Far better to morph any question about such into questions about same sex marriage, which even liberal states such as California and Oregon have opposed via referendums.
Anthony M| 2.19.12 @ 10:53AM
Another interesting fact about the acceptance of homosexuality is that historically, every culture that accepted it soon fell. Roman, French, British, and Ottoman are examples, as homosexuals gain power and influence, the empire weakens and ultimately crumbles.
Drek| 2.19.12 @ 11:53AM
You could throw in the Weimar republic too.
This is the key observation though. EVERY SINGLE society that has embraced or allowed this has soon toppled.
And we're not going to be any different.
The United States is not immune to wider forces of history and human nature.
fckewe| 2.19.12 @ 10:13PM
America is failing into ruin BECAUSE the American ideal has been Karl Roved into apocalypse by the continuation of campaign fraud as a way of life by the REAGANOMIC fallacies of the current crop of RED menace obstruction policies and blatent racism.
fckewe| 2.19.12 @ 10:14PM
Not because Republicans can't get good head from their wives or daughters or sisters or mothers in law.
Bo| 2.20.12 @ 9:56AM
Outside of the USA, can you name one culture that didn't embrace it and never fell? Vatican City?
trw| 2.19.12 @ 11:44AM
Mr. Constantine wrote: "Absent a direct threat to life, I generally am not bothered about how others choose to live their lives in the privacy of their own homes, and figure that that is between them and God."
Then your religious beliefs mean naught to you.
Or you are under the age of 22 and have no real life experiences yet under your belt.
But you are closer to 60 than 20 years of age, yes?
It matters every day, all day long. From the school bus driver that might be homosexual eyeing your preteen or teen, to the teachers, professors, athletics coaches, music instructors, band leaders, drill sergeants, commanding officers, bosses, supervisors, police assigned partner, fellow case worker, .....
When one is worried about being eyed or undressed by another's eyes or if a remark has innuendo (or a look has a 'hidden motive'), there is no trust. There is insecurity. Where can be the easy cooperation to learn, prepare, fix, do, collaborate, get the job done right?
I could go on and on. I trust that I do not have to for any readers here. The moment we are all wary ALL THE TIME and insecure or wondering in 50 - 70% of our daily, weekly, monthly human-to-human interactions, LIFE IS OVER. Oh, you might be existing, but you aren't living.
For reasons that could take us into the month of April of non stop foundational discussions, homosexuality is the very abomination scripture tells us it is.
It cannot be allowed.
You'd better rethink that. Privacy works great when what people are doing in private is wholesome, good, normal. Homosexuality is none of these. It does not stay private just inside the four walls of that person's home.
Those posting here that true conservatives cannot be squishy on homosexuality are correct. There is no compromise on this issue.
albert constantine jr.| 2.19.12 @ 2:28PM
I would dispute the characterization that my religious beliefs mean naught, your opinion notwithstanding. I will offer to clarify.
I believe that homosexuality is sinful behavior. I also believe adultery is sinful behavior. I don’t support statutes that make them unlawful, though, as I don’t support legally punishing those who don’t keep holy the Lord’s Day or use His Name in vain.
There are behaviors proscribed in the Commandments that I do believe secular authority can also have a strong interest in enforcing, primarily murder, theft and perjury/ fraud. While not exclusively the province of the state, I am content to render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s in this regard.
While I don’t dispute that homosexuality is an unnatural and unhealthy lifestyle for a number of the reasons described in this thread, I again don’t support the secular regulation of prohibitions against health hazards that God frowns upon anymore than I want to have government enforcement of kosher/ halal dietary laws for all, and don’t require the physical sequestration of my wife during her menstrual period (despite what improvement that could bring to my household).
To follow, though, I don’t believe that toleration of homosexuality is appropriate for the order and discipline of the Armed Services, and was originally properly proscribed (if not inartfully) by the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) by Congress. Having served in the incredibly close quarters of the communal living that military service frequently requires, the disruptive nature of this forced intimacy with those who are sexually attracted to you implicates a number of the concerns you articulate. It is for these same reasons, though, that I also oppose the further integration of females into the combat arms, as this is where those interactions most frequently occur. The UCMJ also proscribes adultery, and often prosecutes those service members where their violation of this disrupts unit cohesion.
As far as attraction to teens or pre-teens (mine or anyone else’s), I do not think that pederasty or pedophilia is private behavior at all, and I have always strongly supported secular attempts to punish it. I also take comfort that God will likely be rendering his judgment, as well.
I don't think unwanted advances fall into the purview of private behavior, but I remain confident in my behavior and ability to articulate the lack of interest on my part. As far as those with whom I interact who might be secretly undressing me with their eyes, this does not particularly bother me. While there was a time in the past where that picture might have fueled a fantasy of either the homosexual or heterosexual variety, as you have correctly identified my approximate age cohort, whoever is left with thoughts of my balding head and ever expanding body as the object of their desire has likely already begun to experience the hell to which God may condemn them.
To summarize, than, to the extent that homosexual (like adulterous) behavior occurs without my knowledge outside the armed forces between consenting adults, I will leave it to God to deal with the malefactors. I too am concerned that the widespread acceptance of homosexuality is symptomatic of, if not leading our society to decline. I prefer to combat this first by living the kind of life that serves as a good example to my children. Having worked in government for 30 years, though, I find it a poor mechanism of enforcing the kind of laws that could stop this, which are the kind that the Obama administration demonstrates daily in its attempt to force all to submit to the edicts of its secular religion and beliefs.
If this causes you to revoke my credentials as a true conservative, I will have to accept your judgment. While there are still places where homosexuals are stoned to death publicly, I have no desire to live in Iran, or any place like it (with or without its oil reserves).
fckewe| 2.19.12 @ 10:17PM
Thank YOU for proving yourself an un American, Constitutionally repugnant fraud. if there is ANYTHING in the US Constitution that you honor, it should be FREEDOM. Which you are willing to violate based on ancient, unproven texts.
There is NOTHING in the BIBLE that is anything more than a KarlRovian claim of divinity. it's ALL FALSE advertising until PROVEN.
Drek| 2.19.12 @ 12:29AM
And I don't think this is a democrat contrived hit.
Why would they bother with such low-hanging fruit as this guy?
Run him outta town| 2.19.12 @ 11:59AM
No, Sheriff Babeau did it to himself.
Totally unethical. Totally unprofessional.
What in the world is a sheriff doing allowing himself to be so unprofessional as to have a romantic (erotic, feel-good hedonist is more like it) relationship with an illegal?
This brief article implies that the illegal Mexican is in the U.S. (in Arizona). So what does this tell us?
What is Sheriff Paul Babeu saying loud and clear? If he thinks you are a real hunk and you are giving him some "action," well he, as the representative of the law and the civil authority, will take good, sweet care of you.
Wonder what has occurred to illegal Latino men who refused Sheriff FagBoy's advances?
And -- yes, it must be asked: Were Sheriff Babeu's liaisons done while on official duty? (We all know the answer to this one, don't we?)
See, this is wrong -- and (probably) illegal and lawbreaking too -- for a whole host of reasons.
It is why where I am we do not trust law enforcement officials who obtain sexual attentions from female illegals. They get their couchie and the women get favors. Yes, this is huge; it is ongoing. The police, ICE/INS and other law enforcement branches ACTIVELY go looking for these kinds of women "cases." Policemen have a special "numeric code" for these women who they get to bang while on duty, or, on a busy day, while off duty.
THIS is why society breaks down.
fckewe| 2.19.12 @ 10:18PM
Good Questions, and if the REST of the RED party is honest, then this is EVERYBODY's business.
Bo| 2.20.12 @ 9:58AM
I think it's local politics related as to why they went after him.
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 2.19.12 @ 9:38AM
This is only a scandal if you believe that illegal immigrants have a right to be concerned about being deported under any circumstances.
martin j smith| 2.19.12 @ 10:14AM
Now a scientific study would be impossible to see to what degree or none at all this "scandal" may affect voters. I think more and more people do not Romney's political positions and have zero to do with the so called scandal.
Drek| 2.19.12 @ 10:18AM
This isn't a "so-called" scandal. This is an office holder in Arizona who used his office to impose silence. Which means this is a genuine scandal.
Now sure those that are against Romney are going to jump all over it. But wouldn't Romney do the same if something like this had happened in Santorum's campaign?
fckewe| 2.19.12 @ 10:19PM
This is EXACTLY the same political corruption that forced Sarah Palin The Quitter to resign.
Emil| 2.19.12 @ 12:20PM
Rick Santorum strikes me as a closetcase.
fckewe| 2.19.12 @ 10:20PM
He DOES look like Mr. Rogers impregnated Pee Wee Herman in the janitor's closet of an airport men's room...
Jerry| 2.19.12 @ 12:33PM
Rick Santorum 2008:Protestants have left Christianity.
Kingsmill| 2.19.12 @ 12:54PM
The Sheriff and his illegal boy toy need to head for the sanctuary state of Massachusetts. Willard's acquiescence in "gay marriage" has ensured that these two misfits will live happily ever after in the Sodom by the Charles. The libs in the Commonwealth have long welcomed illegal aliens, something Willard also acquiesced in.
Asking| 2.19.12 @ 1:37PM
There is a lot to what you say, Kingsmill. I cannot tell you the number of dodgy-like Indian American? (people from India, as in Calcutta or Bombay) people who now dot the south.
So many are in the hotel/motel franchises. They both operate and live in the place for which they are the proprietor.
When one talks to them, one so often hears that that entry point to the U.S. is Boston. And...the pattern is, they stay there for their first 10, 12 years before moving on, moving out of the liberal Northeast. (I cannot say, but it is like Boston and New York City are their safe, hideaway sanctuary cities)
This is something concerned Americans ought to examine. Something just is not right about it. The volume of these people for sure. The number newly arrived in just the last 10-15 years. And the fact that so many of them have grandma and grandpa here permanently living. The just help with odd stuff around the motel, but they are retired and stay in a quiet room away from the motel office.
Something is odd and wrong about this. Frankly, it reeks.
Is the lawlessness of some states and cities (regarding illegal immigration) then why we have so many illegals in all corners of the nation? Is the selective law enforcement, perhaps as Sheriff Paul B. has practiced it, also a big factor?
darcy| 2.19.12 @ 1:09PM
Protestants have indeed left Christianity, not all, to be sure, but the so-called mainline churches abandoned the Bible ages ago and are teaching a social gospel, known these days as "social justice."
The fact that Rick Santorum recognizes this demonstrates his discernment -- and is a HUGE plus, in my opinion; it tells me that he recognizes how liberalism has infected the church.
Everything he has ever said is now being scrutinized by the Obama camp with the intent of destroying him. That camp will take whatever Santorum has said and make of it something horrible and detestable.
And what on earth does your, comment, Jerry, have to do with Sheriff Babeu?
Drek| 2.19.12 @ 2:17PM
Recognizing something, and opening your mouth about it are two different things.
This is one of the reasons I've been against Santorum. He seems to lack the ability to keep his mouth shut about certain things. There are questions very much worth the while dodging, there are issues very much worth the while not mentioning.
The issue isn't whether liberalism has infected all Christian denominations. Every conservative has observed that.
The issue will be morphed into Santorum's Roman Catholic zealotry coming to the fore. And he should have known that.
This is exactly what those of us in Pennsylvania observed about his idiotic book. That book was only going to be seized upon by the bizarre and used to taint him. Now was the book filled with error? No.
But that had nothing to do with it.
He seems to have a political tin ear when it comes to questions of time and place, and manner by the way. This partly explains why so much of his demeanor is off-putting, EVEN with those inclined to sympathize with him.
When he grates on conservatives, the only question left is how irritating he'll be to those we'll need to prevail in the general.
He grates, and he doesn't seem to possess any persuasive powers, not at least any powers worth mentioning.
There are reasons nobody bothered to run attack ads against this guy heretofore, for no political pro would rate him very highly.
This guy is hardly the ideal candidate.
Yet THE OTHER MCCAIN, just soon after resigning his position at Tiger Beat for the Cain candidacy, has now taken up his cheerleading duties for Santorum.
THE OTHER MCCAIN, complete with the sweater vest with a huge S on the front of it, reminds us of Will Ferell's cheerleading character on Saturday Night Live, the hapless and clueless cheerleader.
Dai Alanye | 2.19.12 @ 3:05PM
How any rational person can attack Santorum for moral zealotry yet pass by Gingrich's moral failures passes all understanding.
Which of the two men carries the most dangerous baggage, Santorum the Catholic who is faithful to his wife, or Gingrich the Catholic who has been unfaithful to at least two of his wives? Which of the two is most open to effective attack by the forces of Obama? And which of the two has the thinnest skin?
Wise up, Gingrich supporters. Your man has destroyed his own campaign not merely by past actions but continuing ones. Anyone for making Luna the fifty-eighth state?
Drek| 2.19.12 @ 8:43PM
Moral failures?
What not staying loyal to the second wife, who we all now know was obviously a harpy?
But this all presumes I give a damn about the fact that Gingrich had an eye for women. I don't.
I'm not remotely interested in pretending that a 68 year old man is going to run around the White House chasing skirts. Some delude themselves that with Gingrich such is surely in store.
But that's ridiculous!
Only one guy in the race presently has the skills, the mindset, the ability and the desire to impose the radical changes this country needs. And it isn't Santorum.
And we all know it isn't Romney.
We're not electing the best husband in the nation.
Nor are we electing the best parishoner on the planet!
And Gingrich didn't destroy his own campaign.
Just wait till Santorum gets hit with an ad campaign that outspends him ten to one. Just let Santorum get hit as Gingrich has in Iowa and Florida, and we'll see how able he is to retain his equanimity.
Santorum folded fast to union pressure in Pennsylvania. Yet some of you maintain that Santorum is going to resist pressures once in office?
Santorum's numbers are going to start falling in days, and everybody knows it. Romney and his campaign are ginning up their attack machine!
Law Breaker Babeu| 2.19.12 @ 3:20PM
Paul Babeu broke federal law during his 20 year service in the military: the Don't Ask Don't Tell laws of this nation.
In a despicable display of abuse of power, the flaming homosexual used state property and personnel as a back drop to explain his "homosexual hookups".
There are better GOP candidates in this race who might have at least asked Jose about his immigration status, upon hearing Jose's broken English vocabulary, contrasted with his proclivity for Spanish.
Disgusting Babeu| 2.19.12 @ 3:24PM
For years, I supported the GOP's platform to bring illegal immigration to it's knees.
Never did I envision a literal interpretation of this issue by Mr. Babeu in the form of homosexual acts, performed on his illegal alien lover.
Well, I guess that's a new way to combat illegal immigration in AZ.
Jerry| 2.19.12 @ 4:00PM
Santorum defended pedophile priests.
Dai Alanye | 2.19.12 @ 6:44PM
Who is the bigger fool, he who believes the lies or he who puveys them?
Dai Alanye | 2.19.12 @ 6:45PM
"Purveys" of course.
Al Adab| 2.19.12 @ 8:46PM
Not all that unusual for Arizona. Though the birthplace of todays' Conservative Movement (not forgetting Buckley of course) they had Congressman John Kolbe and of course gave us former Gov. Napolitano now head of homeland security. Perhaps the state is more "tolerant" than we might think. They once had a Gov. named Raul Castro
Drek| 2.19.12 @ 9:22PM
It seems Santorum covered himself in a dubious light this morning on CBS.
Powerline has excerpts of the transcript, {of course Powerline is in the tank with Hewitt, for Romney...}.
But Santorum started discussing the origin of the public school system, pre-natal testing and then he folded under questioning when queried about obama's bizarre theology. Why didn't he come out blasting on black liberation theology!
fckewe| 2.19.12 @ 10:24PM
Obama HAS no theology, according to Santorum, because he is a SECULAR Muslim, protestant Christian impersonator.
Cris Worth| 2.19.12 @ 10:09PM
It has become quite evident that Willard Milton Romney is a hard core leftist with a thin veneer of capitalism to fool people. This reminds me of Liberation Theology-a Latin American byproduct from decades ago which was hard core communism with a thin veneer of Christianity to first deceive then making palpable to a desperate population. Romney's five year game is about over. The voters in Colorado, Minnesota and Missouri were not fooled by this phony conservative. "Severe Conservative, Compassionate Conservative-Kinder and Gentler Conservative are not conservative at all. I commend the Tea Party and likeminded conservatives who woke up during the last GOP regime and are doing their best to prevent another Republican liberal from taking over the party. A brokered convention would be the best thing possible for the Republicans creating a catharsis to finally rid the party of liberals especially members of the Roe v. Wade Preservation Society. Failure to do so will bring an end to the Grand Old Party but maybe that would be for the best.
fckewe| 2.19.12 @ 10:22PM
This is not now, nor ever will be a 'gay issue'. it is about abuse of power and considering the RECENT RED menace track record, this Sheriff needs court appearances and jail time.
Who knows, he might just find true love.
Steve Hansmann| 2.20.12 @ 5:59AM
Oh dear god, this is so funny. Even though it happens so often, everytime I walk around chuckling to myself for days afterward. The log cabin republicans should have millions of members as it has become increasingly apparent that most homosexual men are hiding on the right behind flags and bibles, and committing what they themselves regard as perversions in airport rest rooms, day cares, and government offices. Sweet. When will they get of the utter nonsense of guns, gays, and god? Sweet squared.
WL| 2.20.12 @ 9:49AM
It's quite funny how Republican and Republicans Supporters who make it into the media always have some sort of dark "secret"....
This Sheriff would have been welcomed into our party without hesitation, if he would have been openly gay OR in the closet...
But why be a majorly visible illegal immigration opponent in a major way...AND have an affair with an illegal immigrant????
I tell you why...it's the same reason that this happens all the time with these guys (especially hypocritical on the right)...It's on purpose...plain and simple...
You see, I have long thought that the media and powers behind the scenes find the folks with whopper skeletons in the closet...and follow the simple and effective strategy listed here:
1. Find person with skeletons....the more hypocritical, the better.
2. Promote them...put them on TV etc.
3. Let Right Leaners learn to like them...and right leaning politicians make use of them in campaigns etc..
4. Drop the story, blow the lid, and destroy the hypocrite.
5. End Results - A. Give Rabid Leftists and Left leaners ammo to paint ALL people on the right as closet phoneys, hypocrites, latent perverts, etc etc etc B. De-spirit the right. C. Make it harder for the right to trust their leadership. D. Keep right leaning politicians on the defensive by constantly beating them with it.
It's actually pretty simple, and until our "alternative" media learns to simply ignore these types of stories...the machine on the left has the combined power of left and right media to carry the water on these stunts...Whether it is inadvertant or on purpose does not matter, the fact that most of you feel like crap reading this story is goal...and it wasn't accomplished by media matters...you read it HERE.
The reason that some of you are baffled by how the left gets away with it BAFFLES ME. It's very simple...they don't Care what we say or think. They are down for the cause and don't care if the devil is the one helping them get there...we do. They ignore the allegations until they have to toss overboard...we hit the self-destruct button immediately...They ignore the scandals and slap us in the mouth for bringing them up...We tirelessly and fruitlessly defend ourselves trying to convince them that we are not all closet hypocrites...
as they laugh at us.
Roberts Liardon | 3.9.12 @ 9:16AM
I am not against with the third sexuality since I have lot of friends that also in third world or gays. And aslong as they have a good heart and they not hurt someone I all respect them but having as a public servant you need to take care of you image also.