By Christina Gongaware, Contributing Writer
Rick Santorum has been listed among big names like Sarah Palin, Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee in a New Hampshire Journal preview of possible 2012 Republican candidates in the 2012 presidential primaries. Here’s what the piece had to say about Santorum:
Advantages:
The former Pennsylvania Senator appears to be the type of candidate that will do well in the Granite State. A good-looking young personable conservative, he is taking the state seriously, visiting often and working hard at the grassroots level. In the words of one NH voter, Santorum is “Mitt Romney with a soul.” Santorum’s solid pro-life credentials certainly mean that social conservatives in the state will give him a solid look. So far, he has been making all the right moves, hiring veteran GOP operative Mike Biundo to run his campaign and cozying up with conservative stalwart Ovide Lamontagne.
Disadvantages:
Santorum’s biggest challenge is also his biggest strength – he is seen as a social conservative. While this is not necessarily a negative in NH, history tells us those candidates who are only seen as social conservatives do not fare well here as they might in Iowa. New Hampshire voters know their choice has a good shot at running the country and they want to know they are also strong on economic and foreign policy issues. Santorum has yet to demonstrate gravitas outside the social arena. New Hampshire Republicans are not attracted to one trick ponies and they want someone who can win in November. Santorum’s Senate reelection drubbing will not go unnoticed.
Those are some considerable disadvantages, but Santorum is still in mode where any press is good press, especially in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina.
Loading ...
10 Responses
Mitt Romney was able to tap his bailed-out banker buddies on Wall Street to the tune of 10 million dollars in one day. In fact, Romney raised 10 million dollars in one day a couple of weeks ago from well-heeled party bigwigs and Wall Street insiders, many of whom ponied up the legal maximum of $2,500 per person (or $5,000 per couple).
NH Journal is a soulless institution with no moral qualms in expressing libelous, bigoted judgment of an accomplished man and apparently his faith. It is evidence of ignorance. It is not funny; not clever; not additive to social or political discourse. What is the point? Just using up newsprint and space? No wonder the printed press is in such terrible trouble and risk of failure. Say something useful, uplifting, insightful; or save the ink and time.
…with a soul!!???? Just what is that supposed to mean?
I don’t even get that. Sounds like a slam against Romney but it is entirely meaningless. The source should be required to explain or rephrase it.
What has he done? I went to Google to find out about Mr Santorum.
He has quite a colorful and bigoted background.
The difference between Mitt and Rick is that Mitt signed a universal health care bill into law and Rick Santorum didn’t.
As for the “Mitt Romney with a soul” quote, the article doesn’t really explain what that means. I disagree with the commenter who thinks its a reference to his Mormonism– maybe it’s about his perfect hair and perfect suits. Santorum’s more like Romney with flaws.
Santorum is a good man and would probably do well in the primaries but we need someone that will take it to Obama in the general election and Mitt Romney is the man (with a soul)to do it.
I live in PA, and like Santorum, but not when the economy is problem #1. I would vote for Mitt over Rick any day. Romney went to Harvard Law and Business at the same time! He’s wicked smart.
And Romney may have been socially moderate in the past (like Reagan), but is now fully conservative socially, economically, and militarily. That is exactly what I’m looking for.
I’m not even Mormon, but Catholic like Santorum. Still, I find a big bit of religious bigotry in the headline. So Mormons have no souls? Or just this particular one? Given the religious bigotry that exists against Mormons you should really avoid headlines like that one.
Rick Santorum is Mitt Romney without money, intelligence, huge financial backbone, a real following, educated supporters, and a history of successful leadership.
So, what has Santorum done?
Has he worked in the private sector for 25 years? No.
Has he started and grown companies like Dominos Pizza, Staples, Accuride, Brookstone, Sealy Corp, Sports Authority, and Artisan Entertainment, Monsato Company, Outboard Main Corporation, Burlington Industries, Corning Incorporated and created over 10,000 jobs? No.
He he ever taken a Winter Olympics 300 million deficit and turned it into a 100 million dollar surplus – the most successful games on record? No.
Has he taken a Massachusetts 1.5 BILLION dollar deficit and turned it into a 600 million dollar surplus withOUT raising income and other taxes? No.
Has he balanced a budget every year he was a Govenor? No.
Within the term of his Governorship did his administration see 80,000 new jobs created? No.
Mitt Romney has.
Now, tell us again… how is Santorum like Romney at all?