Why is Santorum not on the Primary ballot in all states?
Newt is not on the ballot in Missouri (52 delegates). Santorum is not on the ballot in DC (19 delegates). Neither Newt nor Santorum are on the ballot in Virginia (49 delegates). Other than that (and finishing up in Indiana) the rest are easy and shouldn't be a problem. None of these are game changers.
Tea Party Nation
Here we go again... Always be wary of national tea party groups. The tea party is deliberately a LOCAL organization. There is no national leader. It is strictly grassroots. No two groups are alike, and likely no two members of any group will agree on everything. That is what makes the tea party so unique and so unbeatable. With that said, tea party members across America should be outraged when various national tea party groups try to speak on their behalf. A group called Tea Party Nation has just sent out a letter telling folks that Santorum cannot win and therefore they must vote for Newt. Huh? Last I heard, each candidate had won one state. And last poll I saw, Newt was in LAST place in Florida. What's more, Santorum has beaten Newt in 2 out of 3 races. Where's the logic? Tea Party folks, please think for yourselves and make your own decisions. That is what makes America great. You should be outraged that TPN does not think you can do that. If TPN feels the need to send out a letter such as this, it is purely out of fear that their guy is about to lose. Vote wisely.
Animal Welfare
Rick Santorum- Attorney and former Republican Senator from Pennsylvania. According to USA Today, “Santorum, R-Pa., has won high praise from the Humane Society of the United States for pushing legislation aimed at ending breeding facilities known as puppy mills.” PETA also finds him to be “a friend.” According to the article, “About the only legislative issue on which Santorum has gone against PETA’s view was oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Santorum filed an anti-puppy mill bill in 2001 similar to the PAWS bill. It passed the Senate and was part of the 2002 Farm Bill but was deleted before final passage, in part because of opposition from small breeders worried about over-regulation, Santorum said.” Santorum, in 2005, introduced the Pet Animal Welfare Statute (PAWS), requiring the USDA to regulate breeders who sell 7 or more litters of dogs or cats per year. The bill failed, causing the HSUS to “take it to the states.” He has supported and promoted anti-cockfighting legislation and more funding for federal oversight of animal breeding facilities. The article states “The animal rights political action committee Humane USA gave $5,000 to Santorum’s 2006 re-election bid and has pledged to campaign aggressively for him. ‘We support elected officials who have a proven record of leadership on animal welfare issues and Rick Santorum fits that characteristic precisely,’ said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of the Humane Society and a Humane USA board member.” The Humane Society Legislative Fund (HSLF), a division of the HSUS, gives Santorum the highest score of all candidates with a 60% score out of 100 and considers him to be “the most active on animal issues.” As of October 14, 2011, reports show no monetary donations to the Santorum campaign from the HSUS.
Funding for Abortion
Ron Paul likes to accuse Santorum of voting to fund abortions. The truth is, any Senator who has voted to approve the Federal budget has voted to fund abortion because the budget has allotted funds to Planned Parenthood.
To imply that Santorum has not fought for the unborn is ridiculous. Santorum has led the fight against abortion. In fact, some groups say he is TOO conservative on this issue. You can't have it both ways.
To imply that Santorum has not fought for the unborn is ridiculous. Santorum has led the fight against abortion. In fact, some groups say he is TOO conservative on this issue. You can't have it both ways.
Terri Schiavo case
Santorum was asked, "As a Senator, you were very prominent in the effort to insert the United States Congress and the federal government into the Terri Schiavo family law case in Florida. Was Congress' involvement in the family courts of the State of Florida in the Schiavo case consistent with your present view of federalism, the U.S. Constitution and the proper and legitimate scope of congressional power?"
Santorum answered...
I believe that all life is precious, from the unborn, to the disabled, and the aging. The Declaration of Independence makes clear that life is an inalienable right and it is the job of the Constitution and our branches of government to defend it. This was an exceptional case which warranted an exceptional response. These decisions lie principally with the States, but as Abraham Lincoln said the States do not have the right to do wrong. The federal courts and the federal government is the last resort to protect this foundational right. Just as I feel, it is wrong for states or localities to unjustly take private property and believe the federal government can be a protector of last resort of this right, I believe that the federal government can be a protector of life when other levels of government fail their responsibility. Terri Schiavo and her loving parents deserved this. Folks forget that she was not dying and her parents offered to care for her and her costs. Death penalty cases have these federal safeguards, why not cases where it is disputed whether the individual would want to die?
Though rare, it is appropriate for the federal government to look into a situation where there was also a question as to whether a judge was handling the case fairly. It appears that it was, and a decision was made. A decision I strongly disagree with. Congress used the federal tools provided to them by the Constitution to ensure the case was being handled fairly. When we are dealing with those who are vulnerable and cannot defend themselves, if we err, we need to err on the side of the dignity of human life.
The Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution states explicitly:
“No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”
Santorum answered...
I believe that all life is precious, from the unborn, to the disabled, and the aging. The Declaration of Independence makes clear that life is an inalienable right and it is the job of the Constitution and our branches of government to defend it. This was an exceptional case which warranted an exceptional response. These decisions lie principally with the States, but as Abraham Lincoln said the States do not have the right to do wrong. The federal courts and the federal government is the last resort to protect this foundational right. Just as I feel, it is wrong for states or localities to unjustly take private property and believe the federal government can be a protector of last resort of this right, I believe that the federal government can be a protector of life when other levels of government fail their responsibility. Terri Schiavo and her loving parents deserved this. Folks forget that she was not dying and her parents offered to care for her and her costs. Death penalty cases have these federal safeguards, why not cases where it is disputed whether the individual would want to die?
Though rare, it is appropriate for the federal government to look into a situation where there was also a question as to whether a judge was handling the case fairly. It appears that it was, and a decision was made. A decision I strongly disagree with. Congress used the federal tools provided to them by the Constitution to ensure the case was being handled fairly. When we are dealing with those who are vulnerable and cannot defend themselves, if we err, we need to err on the side of the dignity of human life.
The Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution states explicitly:
“No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”
SOPA
Red State put out an article titled Rick Santorum Supports SOPA. It's a lie. They took out of context what he said. Here's the direct quote from Rick Santorum:
I can’t say that, with respect to that bill, that I’m familiar enough with it that I can say that I have an opinion one way or the other on it.Clearly Santorum is one who believes you have to actually READ a bill before you can make a decision on it, and certainly before voting on it!
Ron Paul's Sanctity of Life Bill
The Paul supporters claim that Santorum didn't vote for Paul's sanctity of life bill back in 2007. Here's why:
http://www.govtrack.us/
The bill never made it to vote on in the house, and Rick was in the Senate. In other words, no Rick did not vote for it, because it never was an option.
http://www.govtrack.us/
The bill never made it to vote on in the house, and Rick was in the Senate. In other words, no Rick did not vote for it, because it never was an option.
No longer a deficit hawk?
Ron Paul loves to twists words. Hear Rick's real statement on the deficit and spending here:
http://foxnewsinsider.com/2012/01/17/rick-santorum-responds-to-ron-pauls-attack-ad-accusations/?mid=57
http://foxnewsinsider.com/2012/01/17/rick-santorum-responds-to-ron-pauls-attack-ad-accusations/?mid=57
Immigration
Numbers USA gave Rick Santorum an A- on Immigration. It is the highest score of any candidate, and he is the only one who got positive marks an each individual criteria under this topic.
You can see the scores here:
http://www.numbersusa.com/content/action/2012-presidential-hopefuls-immigration-stances.html?mid=57
You can see the scores here:
http://www.numbersusa.com/content/action/2012-presidential-hopefuls-immigration-stances.html?mid=57
My Vote Doesn't Count
For those in states with primary election dates that seem too late to matter...
WHEN WILL A NOMINEE BE CHOSEN? By Dianne Edmondson
Thanks to the new RNC rules, only 2286 delegates are approved for the national convention. (Several states were penalized half their delegates for holding their primaries too early: SC, FL, MI and AZ.) Thus, it will take 1143 delegate votes to win the nomination. Using the data below, even if one candidate takes ALL delegates in every primary between now and May 22 (the Arkansas proportionate primary date), there WOULD NOT BE ENOUGH DELEGATE VOTES TO NOMINATE until at least the California winner take all primary, June 5. And proportionate states likely will have split delegates making it even less likely that any candidate can lock up the nomination, as long as two or more remain in the race.
CHRONOLOGICAL PRIMARY DATES AND DELEGATE COUNTS
We are assuming that one candidate will take all delegates (shown in parentheses) in these primaries, even in the proportionate states. Proportionate states and their thresholds are italicized.
IA (28) 6/5/12 (based on Jan. caucus)
NH (12) 1/10/12 prop. 10%
SC (25) 1/21/12
FL (50) 1/31/12
NV (28) 2/4/12 pref. caucus
MI (30) 2/28/12 prop. 15%
AZ (29) 2/28/12
OH (66) 3/6/12 prop. 20%
AL (50) 3/13/12 prop. 20%
MS (40) 3/13/12 prop. 15%
ID (32) 3/6/12 caucus prop. 15% - 5/15/12 primary
PR (23) 3/18/12
IL (69) 3/20/12
DC (19) 4/3/12
MD (37) 4/3/12
TX (155) 4/3/12 prop. 20%
PA (72) 4/24/12
NY (95) 4/24/12 prop. 20%
IN (46) 5/8/12
NC (55) 5/8/12 prop.
WV (31) 5/8/12
NE (35) 5/15/12 non binding primary
OR (28) 5/15/12 prop.
KY (45) 5/22/12 prop. 15%
AR (36) 5/22/12 prop. 15%
DELEGATE COUNT WILL BE AT ABOUT 1140 IF ALL ABOVE WENT TO ONE CANDIDATE, 5 SHORT OF NOMINATING NUMBER. PROBABLY WILL BE LESS DUE TO PROPORTIONAL STATES’ DELEGATES BEING SPLIT AMONG SEVERAL CANDIDATES
WHEN WILL A NOMINEE BE CHOSEN? By Dianne Edmondson
Thanks to the new RNC rules, only 2286 delegates are approved for the national convention. (Several states were penalized half their delegates for holding their primaries too early: SC, FL, MI and AZ.) Thus, it will take 1143 delegate votes to win the nomination. Using the data below, even if one candidate takes ALL delegates in every primary between now and May 22 (the Arkansas proportionate primary date), there WOULD NOT BE ENOUGH DELEGATE VOTES TO NOMINATE until at least the California winner take all primary, June 5. And proportionate states likely will have split delegates making it even less likely that any candidate can lock up the nomination, as long as two or more remain in the race.
CHRONOLOGICAL PRIMARY DATES AND DELEGATE COUNTS
We are assuming that one candidate will take all delegates (shown in parentheses) in these primaries, even in the proportionate states. Proportionate states and their thresholds are italicized.
IA (28) 6/5/12 (based on Jan. caucus)
NH (12) 1/10/12 prop. 10%
SC (25) 1/21/12
FL (50) 1/31/12
NV (28) 2/4/12 pref. caucus
MI (30) 2/28/12 prop. 15%
AZ (29) 2/28/12
OH (66) 3/6/12 prop. 20%
AL (50) 3/13/12 prop. 20%
MS (40) 3/13/12 prop. 15%
ID (32) 3/6/12 caucus prop. 15% - 5/15/12 primary
PR (23) 3/18/12
IL (69) 3/20/12
DC (19) 4/3/12
MD (37) 4/3/12
TX (155) 4/3/12 prop. 20%
PA (72) 4/24/12
NY (95) 4/24/12 prop. 20%
IN (46) 5/8/12
NC (55) 5/8/12 prop.
WV (31) 5/8/12
NE (35) 5/15/12 non binding primary
OR (28) 5/15/12 prop.
KY (45) 5/22/12 prop. 15%
AR (36) 5/22/12 prop. 15%
DELEGATE COUNT WILL BE AT ABOUT 1140 IF ALL ABOVE WENT TO ONE CANDIDATE, 5 SHORT OF NOMINATING NUMBER. PROBABLY WILL BE LESS DUE TO PROPORTIONAL STATES’ DELEGATES BEING SPLIT AMONG SEVERAL CANDIDATES
Stem Cell Research
The short answer: Rick Santorum does NOT support embryonic stem cell research. He is staunchly pro-life and a supporter of all life, including that of an embryo. He has always been extremely vocal about this.
The long answer is provided at this link:
http://stevedeace.com/news/iowa-politics/common-sense-setting-the-record-straight-on-santorum%E2%80%99s-support-for-stem-cell-research/
You must read the whole article and understand the background in order to see how the truth has been twisted into a complete lie intended to cast doubt on Rick Santorum.
The long answer is provided at this link:
http://stevedeace.com/news/iowa-politics/common-sense-setting-the-record-straight-on-santorum%E2%80%99s-support-for-stem-cell-research/
You must read the whole article and understand the background in order to see how the truth has been twisted into a complete lie intended to cast doubt on Rick Santorum.
Did Karen Have An Abortion?
Read “Gabriel’s Story” by Karen Santorum.
I am married to United States Senator Rick Santorum, who in 1996 led the debate on a bill to ban partial-birth abortion—which even several pro-choice senators refer to as “infanticide”. The procedure is justified by its advocates as necessary in cases of fetal abnormalities detected late in pregnancy. They implied that Rick had no right to speak on the issue because it had not not touched his life.
One week later at a routine sonogram, the 20 week old baby in my womb was diagnosed with a defect that is always fatal without surgery. Through our immense heartache came the most basic of parental emotions: We had to save our child. After many tests it was determined our son was eligible for the operation that could save his life. It was a success, but an infection developed in the amniotic sac, and I was rushed to the hospital with a high fever, having contractions. I begged the doctors to stop my labor, but they said it would be malpractice, for I would surely die since these infections are untreatable.
Gabriel Michael Santorum was born at 12:45 AM on Friday, October 11, 1996. He was a beautiful boy. He did not give a cry or open his tiny eyes. We baptized him, bundled him, and held him ever so close. We sang to him, held his little hands and kissed him. Gabriel lived for two hours. In those two hours something simple but profound happened. Rick and I became parents to a newborn baby and welcomed him into our family. That was all….but it was everything. His life was so brief, yet his impact so great. In two hours we experienced a lifetime of emotions. Love, sorrow, regret, joy—-all were packed into that brief span. To have rejected that experience would have been to reject life itself.
Most Corrupt?
Yes, Rick Santorum has been labeled the most corrupt member of Congress... by a left-wing, liberal organization!
Ron Paul's "Betrayal" Ad
Ron Paul makes a lot of claims in his Betrayal ad being shown on TV. Several of the claims are refuted elsewhere in this blog. Here is an interview with Rick Santorum on this subject:
http://youtu.be/YsC0_OV9SHA
Regarding being a "deficit hawk", go to the 4:36 mark of this video to hear the truth about Santorum's comments. Ron Paul has really twisted them!
http://foxnewsinsider.com/2012/01/17/rick-santorum-responds-to-ron-pauls-attack-ad-accusations/?mid=57
http://youtu.be/YsC0_OV9SHA
Regarding being a "deficit hawk", go to the 4:36 mark of this video to hear the truth about Santorum's comments. Ron Paul has really twisted them!
http://foxnewsinsider.com/2012/01/17/rick-santorum-responds-to-ron-pauls-attack-ad-accusations/?mid=57
Santorum Endorsed Romney in 2008
Santorum explains his endorsement of Romney in 2008 like this... “First off, I endorsed Mitt Romney, I think, five days before Super Tuesday. I didn’t endorse anybody for a long time. My focus in the 2008 election was on making sure we had someone other than John McCain. That is what I was publicly stating because I thought that he would not be a strong candidate for us in the general election and I didn’t think he’d be the best candidate for us to do the things that were necessary for this country. And so, my principle purpose, I said this from the very beginning, was to wait and see who was the best able to beat John McCain when the time came.”
Sandusky Adoption Award
In 2002, when Rick Santorum nominated the Sanduskys for the award, no formal accusations had been made against Jerry Sandusky. In fact, at that time, no authority outside of Penn State had been told of Sandusky’s crimes. The grand jury that ultimately indicted Jerry Sandusky wasn’t even convened until 2009.
Rick Santorum has never met the Sanduskys personally. Though saddened to see scandal taint the name of Penn State, Rick has stated publicly that he supports the firing of Sandusky.
Rick Santorum has never met the Sanduskys personally. Though saddened to see scandal taint the name of Penn State, Rick has stated publicly that he supports the firing of Sandusky.
Single Parenthood & Birth Control
Santorum was asked about his position on contraception, something that critics have accused the social conservative of being against.
“This is crazy,” said Santorum, in explaining that his opposition in the landmark Supreme Court Case Griswold v Connecticut, is not to the court’s decision to invalidate a Connecticut law prohibiting the use of contraceptives. Rather Santorum is opposed to judicial activism, and “the creation of new rights because the court says so.” In the Griswold case the Supreme Court decided that the contraceptives law violated “the right to privacy,” which later led to the decision in Roe v Wade which said that the same “right to privacy” invalidated state laws that banned most abortions.
“This is crazy,” said Santorum, in explaining that his opposition in the landmark Supreme Court Case Griswold v Connecticut, is not to the court’s decision to invalidate a Connecticut law prohibiting the use of contraceptives. Rather Santorum is opposed to judicial activism, and “the creation of new rights because the court says so.” In the Griswold case the Supreme Court decided that the contraceptives law violated “the right to privacy,” which later led to the decision in Roe v Wade which said that the same “right to privacy” invalidated state laws that banned most abortions.
Debt Ceiling Votes
While Santorum was in Congress, we had surpluses and deficits, and the national debt went up and down. Most of the time the debt ceiling was increased, it was based around funding for war. It is significant to note that the increases they voted on were not in the trillion dollar increments that they have been under Obama.
Patriot Act
SANTORUM: We created the Department of Homeland Security because there was a complete mess in the internal -- in protecting our country. We had all sorts of agencies that had conflicting authority. We had no information sharing that was going on. This was right after 9/11. We saw the problems created as a result of 9/11. And we put together a plan to try to make sure that there was better coordination.
Prescription Drug Plan
Santorum admits the Republicans made two mistakes with the Prescription Drug Plan. First, they made it universal, when in reality only 15% of seniors needed it. He spoke out against that and lost. Second, they approved it without funding it, but funding was not an option on the table at the time of voting. The Republicans had plans for a program that was substantially less money than the Democrat program. They also included substantial reforms for Medicare as well as Health Savings Plans in this bill.
No Child Left Behind
Rick addressed this on a tele-town hall for tea party members. He said it was something he was not a fan of and that he had some real concerns. It did have some things that were good, and he voted for it, but he admitted it was a mistake. He stated, "Looking back, I should have known better. I didn't listen to my better principles. One of the first orders of business will be to repeal it and the funding for it."
In a separate conversation from the above, Rick said it was a mistake, and that he held his nose and voted for it because it was the President's highest priority and it had some good stuff in it. But he admitted it was inconsistent with his view of education, and that he has been vocal about getting education back not just to State level but to local level. He said he violated his principles on that one, and he regrets it.
In a separate conversation from the above, Rick said it was a mistake, and that he held his nose and voted for it because it was the President's highest priority and it had some good stuff in it. But he admitted it was inconsistent with his view of education, and that he has been vocal about getting education back not just to State level but to local level. He said he violated his principles on that one, and he regrets it.
CEO vs Commander in Chief
Newt Gingrich deried Romney’s support for the “Wall Street model where you can flip companies, you can go in and have leveraged buyouts, you can basically take out all the money, leaving behind the workers.” Rick Santorum insisted, “the commander-in-chief of this country isn’t a CEO.”
CREW Calls Santorum Corrupt
“The group that called me corrupt was CREW,” Santorum said at the recent GOP presidential debate. “If you haven’t been sued by CREW you’re not conservative. CREW is a left wing organization that puts out a list every election of the top Republicans in tough races and calls them all corrupt because they take contributions from PACs.”
In 2010, CREW published a "Crooked Candidates" list that included . . . Marco Rubio (R-FL - elected) . . . and Allen West (R-FL - elected)!
In 2010, CREW published a "Crooked Candidates" list that included . . . Marco Rubio (R-FL - elected) . . . and Allen West (R-FL - elected)!
Federal Mandate on Health Care
Rick Santorum has stated on numerous occasions that he is opposed to a federal mandate on health insurance. He has been quoted as saying otherwise, but his words have been taken out of context. What he said is that employers would be required to OFFER health insurance, but nobody would be required to PURCHASE it.
Santorum favors Health Savings Plans, and he explained at a town hall meeting that for people whose employers did not offer health care benefits and who therefore had to purchase their own insurance, there was no way for them to get the same kind of pre-tax benefit as those who got their insurance from their employer. By using the health savings plan they could get the pre-tax benefit when purchasing their own insurance.
Santorum believes all people should have access to the same kind of plans Congress has--a variety of plans that can be tailored to an individual's needs (ex., maybe they want to pay higher premiums and have more things covered, or maybe they'd prefer to pay lower premiums and take care of most routine stuff on their own, or somewhere in between).
Santorum favors Health Savings Plans, and he explained at a town hall meeting that for people whose employers did not offer health care benefits and who therefore had to purchase their own insurance, there was no way for them to get the same kind of pre-tax benefit as those who got their insurance from their employer. By using the health savings plan they could get the pre-tax benefit when purchasing their own insurance.
Santorum believes all people should have access to the same kind of plans Congress has--a variety of plans that can be tailored to an individual's needs (ex., maybe they want to pay higher premiums and have more things covered, or maybe they'd prefer to pay lower premiums and take care of most routine stuff on their own, or somewhere in between).
Social Security Cuts
Rick Santorum beleives that we need to address the problem with Social Security now because we don't have any money. He is for means testing SS even further, and explains that those people who depend on SS for their entire income or even 50-60% would not be effected. Rather, he would want to lessen the amount for those who are wealthy and do not depend on SS for their income. He explains it in further detail in this NH Town Hall: http://www.c-span.org/
Racist Comments
Santorum was quoted as saying, "I don’t want to make black people’s lives better by giving them somebody else’s money; I want to give them the opportunity to go out and earn the money.”
Santorum said he “mumbled it and changed my thought” in mid-statement. “I‘m pretty confident I didn’t say `black,’” he said. “I’ve looked at it several times. I was starting to say one word and I sort of came up with a different word and then moved on.” But, he conceded, “it sounded like black.”
Santorum told Bill O’Reilly:
Santorum said he “mumbled it and changed my thought” in mid-statement. “I‘m pretty confident I didn’t say `black,’” he said. “I’ve looked at it several times. I was starting to say one word and I sort of came up with a different word and then moved on.” But, he conceded, “it sounded like black.”
Santorum told Bill O’Reilly:
“And I can tell you, I don’t use — I don’t — first off, I don‘t use the term ’black’ very often. I use the term ‘African-American‘ more than I use ’black.’ I can tell you as someone who did more work for historically black colleges, I used to have — every year, I used to bring all the historically black colleges into Washington, DC to try to help them, because they get very little federal money through the bureaucracy, and so I help to try to introduce them to people in the Department of Education so they could have more resources.”
Halliburton and Lautenberg
To fully understand what went on here, one must read the transcript which can be found at this link:
http://regimechangeiran.blogspot.com/2006/09/senator-frank-lautenberg-attempts-to.html.
Santorum tried to work with Lautenberg, but Lautenberg wouldn't do it.
http://regimechangeiran.blogspot.com/2006/09/senator-frank-lautenberg-attempts-to.html.
Santorum tried to work with Lautenberg, but Lautenberg wouldn't do it.
Tea Party Support
Recent comments have been taken out of context and made it sound as if Santorum is against the tea party. In reality, he is against the free-for-all liberalism that some have tried to pin on the tea party as one of their goals.
Rick explained, “I don’t agree that people should be empowered to do what pleases them the most. We have a responsibility beyond [ourselves].” Santorum characterized the “liberal view” as “anti-responsibility,” saying it holds, “I should be able to do whatever I want to do as long as no one gets hurt.” He continued:
Several videos and opinions have come out calling Santorum a big-government candidate. Here is an excellent article proving otherwise.
http://www.redstate.com/wosg/2012/01/06/rick-santorum-yes-he-is-a-true-conservative/
Rick Santorum has a long history of cutting taxes, reducing spending and fighting for a balanced budget amendment. He even took on leaders of his own party in that fight. He has never voted for a tax increase, and one year introduced more original bills cutting spending than anyone else.
Sarah Palin said Rick Santorum's "been consistent in saying we need to slash the federal income tax."
Santorum is a member of the "Gang of Seven" that exposed taxpayer scandals at Congressional bank and Congressional post office. This is one of the reasons the Washington Post praised Santorum as "a tea-party kinda guy before the tea party even existed."
Rick Santorum has called for significant tax rate cuts for middle class Americans and will cut wasteful spending to take the growing deficit off the backs of our children.
On a conference call to tea party folks, Rick said he supports the tea party and their principles, saying he's repeatedly praised them around the country and noted the huge gains they've helped accomplished. He was especially appreciative of the educational forums the tea party provides. Rick made a point to say he's a Reagan Conservative, not a Libertarian, which makes us isolationists and ignores faith and family.
Rick explained, “I don’t agree that people should be empowered to do what pleases them the most. We have a responsibility beyond [ourselves].” Santorum characterized the “liberal view” as “anti-responsibility,” saying it holds, “I should be able to do whatever I want to do as long as no one gets hurt.” He continued:
Particularly in the area of sexual freedom and personal issues, this is the mantra of the left. Which is, “I have a right to do what I want to do.” And that is not the kind of freedom that our Founders envisioned, and it is not the kind of freedom that makes up a society that is devoted…to the common good. …The definition of liberty as our Founders understood it, was freedom with responsibility. Responsibility to who? To themselves? No. It was a responsibility to others. It was responsibility to your family, but not just your family. It was a responsibility to your neighbors and to your country.Santorum complained that we have “an entire culture that focuses on immediate gratification and the pursuit of happiness and personal pleasure, and it is harming America.”
Several videos and opinions have come out calling Santorum a big-government candidate. Here is an excellent article proving otherwise.
http://www.redstate.com/wosg/2012/01/06/rick-santorum-yes-he-is-a-true-conservative/
Rick Santorum has a long history of cutting taxes, reducing spending and fighting for a balanced budget amendment. He even took on leaders of his own party in that fight. He has never voted for a tax increase, and one year introduced more original bills cutting spending than anyone else.
Sarah Palin said Rick Santorum's "been consistent in saying we need to slash the federal income tax."
Santorum is a member of the "Gang of Seven" that exposed taxpayer scandals at Congressional bank and Congressional post office. This is one of the reasons the Washington Post praised Santorum as "a tea-party kinda guy before the tea party even existed."
Rick Santorum has called for significant tax rate cuts for middle class Americans and will cut wasteful spending to take the growing deficit off the backs of our children.
On a conference call to tea party folks, Rick said he supports the tea party and their principles, saying he's repeatedly praised them around the country and noted the huge gains they've helped accomplished. He was especially appreciative of the educational forums the tea party provides. Rick made a point to say he's a Reagan Conservative, not a Libertarian, which makes us isolationists and ignores faith and family.
Foreign Policy
Rick Santorum has more foreign policy credentials than the other candidates - especially dealing with Iran, one of the biggest threats we are currently facing.
He served 8 years on the Senate Armed Services Committee where he led the fight to transform our military from a Cold War force to meet today's threats. He also exposed millions in waste at the Pentagon.
Rick was a leader on US-Israeli relations, authoring both the Syria Accountability Act and the Iran Freedom and Support Act, which he successfully fought to pass.
He served 8 years on the Senate Armed Services Committee where he led the fight to transform our military from a Cold War force to meet today's threats. He also exposed millions in waste at the Pentagon.
Rick was a leader on US-Israeli relations, authoring both the Syria Accountability Act and the Iran Freedom and Support Act, which he successfully fought to pass.
Too Conservative To Win?
Too conservative to win? What has been interesting to watch is how he interacts with people about his so-called ultra conservativism, and by the time he's done, the people end up agreeing with him.
There's no doubt that Rick is a true conviction conservative with a record of results to back it up. But his conservative vision actually unites Democrats, Independents and Republicans because his vision for America is rooted in common sense. The Made In America Plan, the Manufacturing Plan, the Balanced Budget Amendment, the economic plan, are undoubtedly rooted in conservatism and common sense -- and that's what we need.
There's no doubt that Rick is a true conviction conservative with a record of results to back it up. But his conservative vision actually unites Democrats, Independents and Republicans because his vision for America is rooted in common sense. The Made In America Plan, the Manufacturing Plan, the Balanced Budget Amendment, the economic plan, are undoubtedly rooted in conservatism and common sense -- and that's what we need.
Earmarks
Though Rick Perry called Santorum out for taking earmarks, he failed to mention that Texas pays a lobbyist to do exactly the same thing. The Federal budget was designed to utilize earmarks, and monies not used go to the President to use at his own discretion. However, when Santorum realized that his colleagues were abusing the earmark system, he called for a moratorium.
Earmarks are an allocation process for a more efficient use of monies granted to a state. A representative can make sure that certain things get funded that a DC bureaucrat wouldn't know about. In addition, funds avoid going through liberal institutions (cf., James Inhofe, OK). For example, Rick was able to fund a Catholic hospital with money so it could buy medical equipment--something DC would not have done. Earmarks can serve a vital purpose, but once they started to be abused, Rick was against them.
But entitlements are worse than earmarks because earmarks make up only a tiny slice of the budget. Rick has been a leader in entitlement reform. John McCain, on the other hand, was a coward in entitlement reform, and in order to make himself look fiscally conservative, he took up the earmark cause.
Ron Paul loads bills that he KNOWS will pass without his support with earmarks. He brings home the money, but then he votes AGAINST the bill so that he can say that he never voted for an earmark.
Rick Santorum has been consistent and clear that out-of-control spending in Washington has to be stopped. In fact, Rick has relentlessly fought for a Balanced Budget Amendment, he exposed waste at the Pentagon, and his Welfare Reform Bill reformed an entitlement program and greatly reduced fraud, waste and abuse. Rick has never voted for a tax increase, and he supported a moratorium on earmarks.
Megyn Kelly asked Santorum about accusations in the ads including his support of the Gravina Island Bridge, more commonly referred to as the “Bridge to Nowhere”. When Santorum was in the U.S. Senate, he voted for the bridge in Alaska that if built would have cost taxpayers almost $400 million.
Santorum responded that the money came from an earmark that was going to Alaska. He went on to explain, “My determination on all these projects is, if this is money that’s going to the state and the senator from the state says that this is where I want to spend that money, who am I in Pennsylvania to tell the people in Alaska … what the priorities of the state of Alaska should be.”
He argued that holding down spending is the problem, not earmarks as suggested by Ron Paul. Santorum retorted, “Talk about the pot calling the kettle black, [Paul] was the number four earmarker in the United States Congress in the last few years. He’s a huge earmarker. The only difference with Ron Paul is he earmarks bills and then he doesn’t vote for them and says he is for lower spending.”
Earmarks are an allocation process for a more efficient use of monies granted to a state. A representative can make sure that certain things get funded that a DC bureaucrat wouldn't know about. In addition, funds avoid going through liberal institutions (cf., James Inhofe, OK). For example, Rick was able to fund a Catholic hospital with money so it could buy medical equipment--something DC would not have done. Earmarks can serve a vital purpose, but once they started to be abused, Rick was against them.
But entitlements are worse than earmarks because earmarks make up only a tiny slice of the budget. Rick has been a leader in entitlement reform. John McCain, on the other hand, was a coward in entitlement reform, and in order to make himself look fiscally conservative, he took up the earmark cause.
Ron Paul loads bills that he KNOWS will pass without his support with earmarks. He brings home the money, but then he votes AGAINST the bill so that he can say that he never voted for an earmark.
Rick Santorum has been consistent and clear that out-of-control spending in Washington has to be stopped. In fact, Rick has relentlessly fought for a Balanced Budget Amendment, he exposed waste at the Pentagon, and his Welfare Reform Bill reformed an entitlement program and greatly reduced fraud, waste and abuse. Rick has never voted for a tax increase, and he supported a moratorium on earmarks.
Megyn Kelly asked Santorum about accusations in the ads including his support of the Gravina Island Bridge, more commonly referred to as the “Bridge to Nowhere”. When Santorum was in the U.S. Senate, he voted for the bridge in Alaska that if built would have cost taxpayers almost $400 million.
Santorum responded that the money came from an earmark that was going to Alaska. He went on to explain, “My determination on all these projects is, if this is money that’s going to the state and the senator from the state says that this is where I want to spend that money, who am I in Pennsylvania to tell the people in Alaska … what the priorities of the state of Alaska should be.”
He argued that holding down spending is the problem, not earmarks as suggested by Ron Paul. Santorum retorted, “Talk about the pot calling the kettle black, [Paul] was the number four earmarker in the United States Congress in the last few years. He’s a huge earmarker. The only difference with Ron Paul is he earmarks bills and then he doesn’t vote for them and says he is for lower spending.”
Bridge To Nowhere
Rick actually supported a moratorium on earmarks because the earmark process was being abused by his colleagues, many of whom were dishonest about where the money was going. The funding for that bridge was hidden in an appropriations bill.
Megyn Kelly asked Santorum about accusations in the ads including his support of the Gravina Island Bridge, more commonly referred to as the “Bridge to Nowhere”. When Santorum was in the U.S. Senate, he voted for the bridge in Alaska that if built would have cost taxpayers almost $400 million.
Santorum responded that the money came from an earmark that was going to Alaska. He went on to explain, “My determination on all these projects is, if this is money that’s going to the state and the senator from the state says that this is where I want to spend that money, who am I in Pennsylvania to tell the people in Alaska … what the priorities of the state of Alaska should be.”
He argued that holding down spending is the problem, not earmarks as suggested by Ron Paul. Santorum retorted, “Talk about the pot calling the kettle black, [Paul] was the number four earmarker in the United States Congress in the last few years. He’s a huge earmarker. The only difference with Ron Paul is he earmarks bills and then he doesn’t vote for them and says he is for lower spending.”
Megyn Kelly asked Santorum about accusations in the ads including his support of the Gravina Island Bridge, more commonly referred to as the “Bridge to Nowhere”. When Santorum was in the U.S. Senate, he voted for the bridge in Alaska that if built would have cost taxpayers almost $400 million.
Santorum responded that the money came from an earmark that was going to Alaska. He went on to explain, “My determination on all these projects is, if this is money that’s going to the state and the senator from the state says that this is where I want to spend that money, who am I in Pennsylvania to tell the people in Alaska … what the priorities of the state of Alaska should be.”
He argued that holding down spending is the problem, not earmarks as suggested by Ron Paul. Santorum retorted, “Talk about the pot calling the kettle black, [Paul] was the number four earmarker in the United States Congress in the last few years. He’s a huge earmarker. The only difference with Ron Paul is he earmarks bills and then he doesn’t vote for them and says he is for lower spending.”
Santorum Lost His Last Election
When Rick lost re-election in 2006, it was the worst environment possible for Republicans. President Bush's approval rating was remarkably low in Pennsylvania. Not only was Rick defeated, but the Republican candidate for Governor lost that race by 20 points, and 4 Republican members of the US House of Reps were also defeated.
Can Santorum Beat Obama?
This article lays it all out very nicely:
http://dailycaller.com/2012/01/05/the-case-for-santorum-why-barack-obama-should-fear-the-vest/
Rick Santorum has won many tough races. His election to the US House of Reps in 1990 was considered the biggest upset of the year. He was re-elected overwhelmingly in 1992 despite having a new district that was over 60% Democrat.
In 1994 Rick was successfully elected to the US Senate. He was one of only two people to defeat a sitting Senator that year.
In 2000, Rick was successfully re-elected despite being the number one target of Democrats, in a state that has a more than 1 million voter registration advantage for the Democrats.
When Rick lost re-election in 2006, it was the worst environment possible for Republicans. President Bush's approval rating was remarkably low in Pennsylvania. Not only was Rick defeated, but the Republican candidate for Governor lost that race by 20 points, and 4 Republican members of the US House of Reps were also defeated.
Santorum is considered an outstanding debater and will be a formidable opponent for Obama.
http://dailycaller.com/2012/01/05/the-case-for-santorum-why-barack-obama-should-fear-the-vest/
Rick Santorum has won many tough races. His election to the US House of Reps in 1990 was considered the biggest upset of the year. He was re-elected overwhelmingly in 1992 despite having a new district that was over 60% Democrat.
In 1994 Rick was successfully elected to the US Senate. He was one of only two people to defeat a sitting Senator that year.
In 2000, Rick was successfully re-elected despite being the number one target of Democrats, in a state that has a more than 1 million voter registration advantage for the Democrats.
When Rick lost re-election in 2006, it was the worst environment possible for Republicans. President Bush's approval rating was remarkably low in Pennsylvania. Not only was Rick defeated, but the Republican candidate for Governor lost that race by 20 points, and 4 Republican members of the US House of Reps were also defeated.
Santorum is considered an outstanding debater and will be a formidable opponent for Obama.
We need a moderate?
Some folks are arguing that we need a moderate to beat Obama - someone more middle-of-the-road to appeal to more voters. Well, John McCain was a moderate and look how well that turned out...
E-Verify
Ann Coulter accused Santorum of opposing E-verify. His response?
Santorum explained to the Iowa folks that he voted against “E-Verify” when it was part of John McCain’s amnesty bill in 2006 — a bill that Coulter and every other American with a shred of honesty, intelligence or patriotism also opposed.
Rick supports e-verify and even voted for it twice. The vote in question was when John McCain and Ted Kennedy put e-verify in their amnesty bill. Rick doesn't support amnesty. Never has. Never will. So he couldn't vote for any amnesty bill.
Santorum explained to the Iowa folks that he voted against “E-Verify” when it was part of John McCain’s amnesty bill in 2006 — a bill that Coulter and every other American with a shred of honesty, intelligence or patriotism also opposed.
Rick supports e-verify and even voted for it twice. The vote in question was when John McCain and Ted Kennedy put e-verify in their amnesty bill. Rick doesn't support amnesty. Never has. Never will. So he couldn't vote for any amnesty bill.
2nd Amendment Rights (Right to Bear Arms)
The bills that people refer to when they say that Santorum voted in favor of gun control are bills that the NRA put together. It was during the Clinton administration when they were trying to pass all sorts of gun control laws. The NRA worked together with Rick to draft a bill that did the least damage and appeased the Democrats in charge.
Rick Santorum has a lifetime A+ rating from the NRA. His entire family are lifetime members, with the exception of his 3 1/2 year old daughter. He owns guns, his wife owns even more, and he just got his son a rifle for Christmas and took him hunting. In his victory speech in Iowa he thanked God for those clinging to their Bibles and their guns. To learn more about Santorum's position on the right to bear arms, please go to:
http://www.ricksantorum.com/defending-2nd-amendment-rights.
Rick Santorum has a lifetime A+ rating from the NRA. His entire family are lifetime members, with the exception of his 3 1/2 year old daughter. He owns guns, his wife owns even more, and he just got his son a rifle for Christmas and took him hunting. In his victory speech in Iowa he thanked God for those clinging to their Bibles and their guns. To learn more about Santorum's position on the right to bear arms, please go to:
http://www.ricksantorum.com/defending-2nd-amendment-rights.
Big Government & Taxes
Several videos and opinions have come out calling Santorum a big-government candidate. Here is an excellent article proving otherwise.
http://www.redstate.com/wosg/2012/01/06/rick-santorum-yes-he-is-a-true-conservative/
And one of the very best counters to those claims is this article by Rush Limbaugh himself!
http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/daily/2012/01/04/mantra_santorum_is_a_big_government_conservative
Rick Santorum has a long history of cutting taxes, reducing spending and fighting for a balanced budget amendment. He even took on leaders of his own party in that fight. He has never voted for a tax increase, and one year introduced more original bills cutting spending than anyone else.
Sarah Palin said Rick Santorum's "been consistent in saying we need to slash the federal income tax."
Santorum is a member of the "Gang of Seven" that exposed taxpayer scandals at Congressional bank and Congressional post office. This is one of the reasons the Washington Post praised Santorum as "a tea-party kinda guy before the tea party even existed."
Rick Santorum has called for significant tax rate cuts for middle class Americans and will cut wasteful spending to take the growing deficit off the backs of our children.
http://www.redstate.com/wosg/2012/01/06/rick-santorum-yes-he-is-a-true-conservative/
And one of the very best counters to those claims is this article by Rush Limbaugh himself!
http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/daily/2012/01/04/mantra_santorum_is_a_big_government_conservative
Rick Santorum has a long history of cutting taxes, reducing spending and fighting for a balanced budget amendment. He even took on leaders of his own party in that fight. He has never voted for a tax increase, and one year introduced more original bills cutting spending than anyone else.
Sarah Palin said Rick Santorum's "been consistent in saying we need to slash the federal income tax."
Santorum is a member of the "Gang of Seven" that exposed taxpayer scandals at Congressional bank and Congressional post office. This is one of the reasons the Washington Post praised Santorum as "a tea-party kinda guy before the tea party even existed."
Rick Santorum has called for significant tax rate cuts for middle class Americans and will cut wasteful spending to take the growing deficit off the backs of our children.
Endorsement of Arlen Specter
The GOP had a one vote advantage in the Senate 51-49. It was apparent that President Bush would get at least one Supreme Court appointment in his second term. Specter was going to be the head of the Judiciary Committee, and he was the guy who demolished Anita Hill’s credibility to get Clarence Thomas approved. Santorum asked Specter for a commitment to get Bush’s Supreme Court appointments through. Specter said he would. And Specter was a sure bet for reelection as opposed to Pat Toomey (who was elected in the tea party wave). A 50/50 Senate split would endanger the possibility of a conservative justice appointment. So Santorum endorsed Specter and we got Justices Alito and Roberts.
Contributions to Pro-Abortion Candidates
One can't help but notice right off the bat that this collation of endorsements cherry-picked the Republican candidates from liberal-dominated states running against pro-abortion opponents endorsed over the span of a decade - out of who knows how many Republicans Santorum and his PAC have donated to in total - to create an impression that is less than honest. It IS true that these candidates were either imperfectly pro-life or outright pro-abortion, but what is missing is the fact their opponents were radically more pro-abortion Democrats in blue, or purple trending blue, areas that only VERY RARELY elect social conservatives. It is crucial to have a party majority in Congress to get the pro-life agenda passed; that means in some states, it is necessary to work with the "Scott Brown"s that are electable when you can't have the ideal.
Davis-Bacon Act (Right to Work)
According to the Library of Congress, the vote was 68-31. Santorum wasn’t the swing vote, he was the freshman senator from a union state where he won with less than 50% of the vote just 18 months before. To cast a vote against unions when the bill was already defeated would be pointless and self-defeating. From reading the roll call, I suspect that a few of the swing republicans voted no only when the 60 vote margin was cleared, including Santorum. That won’t please purists who prefer martyrdom, but remember: Partial Birth Abortion Ban wasn’t passed until 2003. Would it have been passed if Santorum had already been voted out for sticking his finger in the eyes of his working class base for a vote already lost?
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