Yeah Santorum technically lost by eight votes in Iowa last night but if you can’t see that last night was a huge victory for former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum you’re just not paying attention.
And here’s the thing -it’s possible that things only get better from here for Santorum. Possible. You’ve got Rick Perry flying back to Texas as we speak to reassess his candidacy. Where do his voters go? Seriously. Do they go to Mitt? Not likely, considering that many of Perry’s supporters are Anybody But Mitt folks (ABM’s). Many will likely go to Santorum. So there’s a chance that as other candidates call it quits, it could become a race between Santorum and Mitt.After new Hampshire, that is. Mitt will clean up in New Hampshire. But after that, I could absolutely see things shaping up to be a Mitt vs. Rick thing. Newt’s probably going to hang around a while as well.
But there’s a lot of racing to be done all across the country. But hey, let’s face it. As of a few weeks ago, Rick Santorum was at less than five percent in the polls and now he’s THE STORY. There is a path to the nomination for him after last night. I’m not saying it’s a clear path because it’s not. It’s got obstacles and there’s still a lot of race left. But there’s a path.
Now, as far as Mitt goes. The dude just won Iowa. He’s got to be thrilled. Iowans are not really supposed to be his peeps. But he won and now he’s going into New Hampshire. And let’s remember, Mitt’s got him some mad cash. And if he targets Santorum with some nasty negative ads, it’s going to take its toll. Mitt may be thinking that he’s watched the parade of ABM’s come and go. Bachmann, Cain, Perry and Newt all spiked for a while. But after a while and a few negative ads they all went away. Mitt’s got to be smiling today.
As far as Newt goes, I’m pretty sure he’s looking forward to two nationally televised debates this week on Saturday on ABC and on Sunday morning on Meet the Press. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Newt’s candidacy peaked while all the debates were going on and then plummeted after the last Iowa debate on the 15th. The more debates the better for Newt. I wouldn’t count him out.
January 4, 2012 at 1:22 pm
Go Rick!! Now, only one Rick, the best!
January 4, 2012 at 5:07 pm
The leftists are really trying to tear down Santorum – just look at BuzzFeed – a lot of stories there trashing him.
January 4, 2012 at 5:34 pm
Why do you mention Newt "hanging around a while", but ignore Ron Paul, who came in 3rd place, about 10% ahead of Newt, and only about 3% behind Romney and Santorum?
January 4, 2012 at 6:34 pm
Because Ron Paul cannot be elected President. Everybody but Ron Paul supporters recognize that
January 4, 2012 at 6:45 pm
I really want to like Santorum, I really do, because he seems like a genuine pro-life Catholic (endorsement of Arlen Specter notwithstanding). However, he really does seem like another big government, big spending, war-hawk republican in the Bush mold. As a young man, I honestly do not want to fight a war with Iran right now if it can possibly be avoided.
I know you think young people are just showing the stupidity of age for going for Ron Paul, and that is your prerogative, but my country has been at war, of dubious justification, for my entire adult life and I am tired of it. I am tired of Republicans making empty promises about everything, especially pro-life issues. I know it seems anathema to some Catholics, but I honestly think it would be better to throw the abortion issue back to the states, because I am confident that many, like my home state of Tennessee would make it illegal, unlike the current situation, in which we are totally screwed. The good should not be the enemy of the perfect.
But where else am I to turn? The Democrats? Please! I know many good Catholics of my generation who are very tempted to just throw in the towel, saying "Put not your trust in mortal man, in whom there is no help" as the Psalms say. They wonder if there is any point in participating in the American political process, when we are disappointed EVERY TIME. We don't want another Bush, and that is what Santorum promises to be.
I really like your blog, Matt, and I am an almost daily visitor, but during this election cycle you and your brother have really started to alienate me. You result to name-calling and character assassination instead of honest assessment of the issues, which is precisely what we all denounce the liberals for doing. I like to read your commentary on almost any issue except politics these days.
I feel like we are on the same side here, but I very disillusioned by your political coverage. If you tell me to screw off because it is your blog, then I certainly will, but I wonder if I still have a reason for reading.
God bless.
January 4, 2012 at 9:10 pm
JR, that was about the most concise, forward, yet polite appraisal of this blog and my feelings (of late) towards it. Thank you for having the courage to speak the truth.
I have tried, but to be honest, I think you are more patient than I have been. I really dislike the name-calling and character assassination Matt exhibits on this website, especially when it eschews a frank discussion on the very real issues Ron Paul raises.
I really don't see how he can have a picture of the pope on his page and still belittle and insult another human being (including all of those who support him by calling them stupid). It's sad, really.
January 4, 2012 at 10:46 pm
I'm a complex man I must admit.
January 4, 2012 at 11:03 pm
The Ranter said…
The leftists are really trying to tear down Santorum – just look at BuzzFeed – a lot of stories there trashing him.
———-
Not to mention the lead zampolit for the Catholic Purity Party.
January 4, 2012 at 11:52 pm
Matt,
I was really hoping for an actual response.
January 5, 2012 at 3:24 am
JR
Well said. Thank you for saying it. I am a recent convert from neoconservatism. I have seen the light. There is nothing stupid about supporting Ron Paul. What I find most troubling about politics today is that we most often speak about who can win, rather than who is the most ethical. You are a good man JR.
January 7, 2012 at 3:59 am
David Brooks highlighted most everything Rick Santorum actually is, in contrast to the big-govt hawk people accuse him of being. I mean some decisions are questionable, but he's not condoning evil like Obama or being a Scrooge to the poor…Now I ultimately disagree with the New York Times column but food for thought.