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GOP Debate: How’d Rick Do?

By: Jared Edgerton, Contributing Writer

Senator Rick Santorum used the New Hampshire Presidential Debate tonight to emphasize his record of reform in the Senate, applaud the Tea Party’s role in national politics and discuss his socially conservative values. He shared the stage with Governor Mitt Romney, Governor Tim Pawlenty, Representative Michelle Bachman, Speaker Newt Gingrich, Representative Ron Paul and Godfather’s Pizza CEO Herman Cain.

Prior to the debate Santorum reached out to supports in an email urging them to tune in and expressing gratitude for the post-announcement polling surge saying, “recent polls already show me tied with Tim Pawlenty, and we are working hard to build on that momentum.”

Before the debate David Axelrod, the senior strategist for President Obama’s reelection campaign offered some insight into what Santorum would have to do to secure the nomination, arguing that he needed present that case to the American people and clarify his criticism of the President Obama’s domestic and economic policies. Axelrod criticized Santorum’s platform as appealing to a small faction within the Republican Party and that it would not resonate with a broader electorate stating “[Santorum’s campaign] as a matter of winning a national election—I don’t see that as a very constructive or successful message.”

During the debate Santorum drove home his stance on deficit reduction by “whole-heartedly” embracing Congressman Paul Ryan’s proposed Medicare reform, calling it, “the right approach.” Santorum said that as President he would work to curb entitlement programs citing his work in the Senate on the Contract for America Welfare Reform Bill. Santorum said his involvement with the legislation was instrumental in garnering the bipartisan support which was ultimately needed for the final passage.

Congressman Ryan’s Medicare reform legislation was proposed in response to Tea Party activists calling for larger cuts to spending and Santorum’s support for the legislation indicates that he is pursuing the backing of Tea Party members.

Later in the debate Santorum responded to a concerned audience member’s question on how he would govern between moderate Republicans and Tea Party activists saying the Tea Party acts as, “a great back stop for America…[and it is essential] to have that back bone for America.”

Santorum mostly refrained from criticizing his opponents, even at the end of the debate commending his rivals saying, he learned, “it is a great field of candidates.” However, when asked to contrast his position on abortion with former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, Santorum reiterated that he has been, “consistently pro-life,” and pressed the need to look for the authenticity of the candidates.

The only position that Santorum starkly differed from the other candidates was on repealing “Don’t ask Don’t tell.” He was the only candidate to say he would outright reinstate the policy.

For the foreign policy portion of the debate Santorum criticized President Obama for a “failure of leadership to put together a strategy to confront our enemies. They [terrorists] are positioned around the world  [and] we need the ability to confront the terrorist threats.”

The debate was not entirely serious, at one point Santorum was asked which late night talk show host he prefered, “Leno or Conan?”

Santorum responded that if he had to choose it would be Leno, but he did not watch either show.

After the debate a National Journal Political insiders poll said that 51 percent of GOP insiders thought Governor Romney won the debate, followed by Representative Bachman with 21 percent, in third was Governor Pawlenty with 9 percent, in fourth was Speaker Gingrich with 6 percent, Senator Santorum tied with CEO Cain for fifth with 4 percent and in last was Representative Paul with 0 percent.

Today Santorum will make a campaign stop in Iowa for a meet and greet at a coffee store and then be the featured speaker at a Republican fundraiser.

7 Responses

  1. What good is a post debate poll of 54 people? How does such a poll qualify as news worth posting? And they are “political insiders.”

  2. Many of the candidates share my values, but Santorum expresses them most naturally and most eloquently. He especially shined on the definition of marriage, foreign policy, and auto bailouts.

  3. Rick has my vote. He is authentic and has undeniable integrity. What you see is what you get. He has the expereince and the certitude to lead the country.

  4. I thought Rick Santorum did very well, but the media and moderator last night did not include him in as much meaningful discussion as the more well-known candidates.

    I have supported Santorum for years and will continue to do so. In many ways, he has a lot more government experience than any of the others.

    If Romney gets the nomination, he’d be a fool to not ask Santorum to balance the ticket and be a great “attack” person against the Democratic ticket!

  5. “Santorum responded that if he had to choose it would be Leno, but he did not watch either show.”

    That pretty much sums up Santorum… making decisions without any information.

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