If Rick Santorum wins the Republican nomination, he will likely snatch defeat from the jaws of near certain victory in November. President Obama will sail to an easy second term with the distinct possability of racking up wins in 40 states. Republicans will likely lose the House and can forget about capturing the Senate.
Building upon the success of the 2010 congressional elections, the GOP has a positive agenda for economic growth, energy independence, and reinvigorating the concept of personal freedom and individual responsibility as opposed to the increasing move toward creating government dependency that has characterized many of President Obama’s priorities and policies over the last few years.
Yet, Mr. Santorum is stiffling a positive discussion of the issues as he keeps yammering on about contraception and how Satan has his sights on the USA. SNL should have him on as the Church Lady as he has that Satan spiel down pat.
And please do not blame the media for the current dust-up over Mr. Santorum’s remarks and positions. This is not a media manufactured persona; this is the real Rick Santorum.
One can arguably make the religious freedom case that the Obama administration overstepped a constitutional limitation by requiring religiously affiliated hospitals, schools, social service agencies and other organizations to provide free contraception services to their employees — even though that would violate the tenets of their faith.
No one seriously ever expected these religiously affiliated institutions to provide these services — particularly the employees who knew that when they were hired.
But Mr. Santorum is being disingenuous here. For him, this goes way beyond the issue of religious freedom. He actually believes that contraception is wrong and harmful to women and has suggested that individual states should have the right to ban the sale of contraceptives.
And Mr. Santorum is just as rigid and dogmatic on a whole range of so-called social issues.
He will alienate legions of independent voters as well as many Republicans. Unfortunately, the GOP primary electorate is heavily skewed toward religious zealots and fanatics. And now, no longer a remote possibility, he could win the nomination.
The tea party movement was successful because it focused on fiscal issues and the increasing creep of BIG government. It largely avoided social issues... because they are not only losers but... more importantly... completely inconsistent with the conservative concept of less government.
Rick Santorum would have government play a much larger role in the personal lives of Americans. He cannot help himself as his statements and positions continue to build and reinforce his image as a rigid ideologue... a moral scold. Not only can he not avoid the social issues, he seems to relish the opportunity to champion them with his aura of moral superiority.
It's time to recall the immortal words of James Carville, the "Ragin' Cajun" Clinton advisor during the 1992 presidential campaign: "IT'S THE ECONOMY STUPID!"
Mr. Santorum lost his last election by 18 points. Look for a similar blowout if he secures the nomination.
Mitt Romney not only won in deep blue Massachusetts, he governed as a fiscal conservative for the most part even though he had to deal with an overwhelmingly Democrat-controlled legislature.
If the Republicans reject Mitt Romney in favor of Rick Santorum, I fear for the long-term viability of our party.
