Santorum Needs To Step Aside

To use a euphemism popular since the 70s, Rick Santorum has "jumped the shark."  Rick Santorum said (and this is a direct quote), “If they’re going to be a little different, we might as well stay with what we have instead of taking a risk of what may be the Etch A Sketch candidate for the future.”  Basically, Rick Santorum was saying that Republicans should give President Obama another term if he (Santorum) is not the Republican nominee.  That, my friends, is one of the most outrageous things I have ever heard a candidate,  for either party, ever say.  To suggest that Republicans should vote for the most radical Left-wing President in U.S. history, if he isn't the Republican nominee, is both reckless and petty.  Ok, it is also childish as hell. It's like the kid that owns the baseball at a sandlot game.  Either I'm the pitcher or I take my baseball and go home.  I knew that Rick Santorum was bitter about the way the Illinois Primary went for him.  But, I never knew he was this self-consumed.  There are some things bigger than yourself and your own aspirations.  The main focus is beating President Barack Obama so he does not have a second term to finish destroying the United States of America.  Rick Santorum has made it clear he doesn't care about the main Republican goal.  The only goal that counts is Rick Santorum as Republican nominee.  Everything else is just "clutter" to this man-child.

I want to make it clear that Mitt Romney was not my first choice for the Republican nomination.  But, compared to Barack Obama, there is no other choice, in my opinion.  Sure, Romney is a moderate and wishy-washy.  But, what can you say about Rick Santorum now?  He is a man that places his own best interests above those of the American people.  The best interest of the American people is to have President Obama known after November as "former President Obama."  But, Rick Santorum now thinks having an Obama second-term is what Republicans should consider if he is not the Republican nominee.    This statement by Rick Santorum is inexcusable.  Nothing he says will make up for this ridiculous comment concerning Obama over Mitt Romney.  I consider this statement even more strange coming from a man who paints himself as the "only true, viable conservative Republican" in the race.  One has to consider now if that is just mere hyperbole by a man who has seen his dream vanish before his eyes.  Ironically, it was Rick Santorum that put the finishing touches of ending that dream.  Rick Santorum is done.

AL and MS Republican Primaries

As I type this up, on Republican Primary Day in Mississippi and Alabama, the campaigns of Rick Santorum and Mitt Romney are in full swing around my city (Mobile, AL).  I went to vote Tuesday morning for a host of Republican candidates for both state and local offices and for U.S. Congressman.  I also voted for my choice of Republican Presidential candidate.  I voted for Mitt Romney.  He is far from being the perfect choice.  In fact, in time, I may come to regret that vote if Romney is elected and becomes George W. Bush 2.0.  I would never forgive myself if that happens.  However, even a George W. Bush 2.0 is better than a Barack Obama 1.0 or any other version of President Obama.  Yes, I selected the lesser of four evils Tuesday morning in the Republican Primary here in Alabama.  The local news channels said voting was light.  But, it sure as hell wasn't at my precinct.  I had to get in line to wait for at least 30 minutes.  Other precincts were much lighter than mine. 

Polls have shown that it has been a virtual deadlock between Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum (who was in my city last week on a campaign stop) and Mitt Romney in both Alabama and Mississippi.  I have a sneaking suspicion that Newt Gingrich is going to finish second in both states.  Nothing I can base that on.  Just a feeling.  I think his time has passed by.  On the other hand, if Mitt Romney wins one state and finishes a strong second in the other, this will put immense pressure on both Santorum and Gingrich who continues to insist he will stay in the race regardless of outcome.  If the money runs out, Newt will have no choice but to bow out.  To a lesser extent, that could also be the case for Rick Santorum.  He is not running as well as he would have liked.  Mitt Romney is showing surprising strength in both states.  Romney was not expected to be competitive in Alabama and Mississippi.  He was within a couple of point of Newt Gingrich in MS and virtually tied with Gingrich in AL.  If Romney somehow pulls off an amazing upset and wins both states, there will be little reason for both Gingrich and Santorum to remain in the race.  In fact, you will see their Republican contributors start to abandon them.  It is about time to rally around Romney, warts and all.

UPDATE:  Well, how wrong can I be?  Still, Romney did well in two states that he did not expect to do well at all.  This long GOP nomination process continues.

Super Tuesday Aftermath

As I sit typing out this blog entry, on Super Tuesday, the consensus appears to be that the Republican nominee for President will not be settled on this day.  That could well be the case.  Both Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum are virtually deadlocked nationally in some polls.  In the latest Gallup poll, however, Mitt Romney leads Santorum by 16% (38-22%) nationwide.  I've see this polling change dramatically in a week or less.  So, I'm not willing to put a lot of stock in that right now.  On Super Tuesday, Santorum could possibly take the prize plum of Ohio insofar as delegates.  That would give him additional momentum that would virtually erase whatever lead Romney has nationwide.  The frontrunner has changed so many times until I have lost count.  But, even former Arkansas governor and former Republican Presidential candidate, Mike Huckabee, has stated it appears Republicans are starting to get behind Romney.  Many polls have said that Mitt Romney does better against Barack Obama than any other Republican candidate.  So, depending on what happens when polls close on Super Tuesday, Romney may be the guy that gains momentum even if Santorum wins Ohio.  There are many states at stake.  Romney could well win the majority of states, if not also the majority of delegates at stake.

Personally, I think if Romney does win the majority of states and delegates on Super Tuesday, a subtle nod and wink of acknowledgment will take place throughout the Republican ranks.  The Republican nomination has lasted this long because the conservative base was not convinced Romney is a true conservative.  There are things in his past that would bear this out as truth.  However, he appears to be a born again conservative right now.  So, it is my not so expert opinion that Romney could very easily be acknowledged as the "guy" the Republicans send against President Obama.  Whoever the Republican nominee is will most certainly have his work cut out for him.  An incumbent President is extremely difficult to beat.  However, one must point out that Bill Clinton accomplished this feat quite easily in '92.  The reason?  The economy stupid.  Now, Obama knows this.  He is trumping up a recovering economy.   I won't get into why I find that ludicrous.  Suffice it to say that whatever recovery we are now experiencing is in big trouble as long as gas prices continue to rise.  Obama is not invincible.  He has baggage that could make him very beatable.  But, it is going to take a concerted effort of all Republicans to get behind one man now.  Hopefully, that one man will be decided on Super Tuesday. 

Democrats Voting for Santorum in Michigan

  
You know that old saying, be careful of what you wish for?  You may get it?  Yeah, that one.  There is a chance Democrats will learn that old saying the hard way if current Rasmussen polling stays true.  It is no secret that Democrats (and Obama himself) are hoping Rick Santorum wins the Republican Presidential nomination.  They hope that because they view Santorum as an easier opponent than the more moderate Mitt Romney.  In fact, Democrats cross voted (this post is being typed up prior to Tuesday Michigan Primary results) in an effort to help President Obama.  Even the much despised Michael Moore is pushing for Democrats in Michigan (Moore's home state) to go to the polls to vote for Rick Santorum.  This has been the little backdoor trick played by Democrats this campaign year.  Of course, Republicans have done the same to Democrats in years past.  So, turnabout being fair play, it is the Democrats time to return the favor.  But, can you imagine the gnashing of teeth if by some quirk of fate Santorum,as the Republican nominee, beats Obama?  That would give pause to both Democrats and Republicans when it comes to the time treasured activity of crossover voting in the primary process.

Right now, that Rasmussen Poll shows a Romney-Obama battle tied at 44%.  A Santorum-Obama battle shows Obama with a 3% lead at 46-43%, which is the exact margin of error on this poll (3%).  This is not something that Democrats expected.  Obviously, if Rick Santorum was within 5 % of Obama, none of the Democrats would be so eager to crossover vote in Michigan and other states that allow crossover voting between Democrats and Republicans (I don't like crossover voting, but that is an entirely different issue).  Now, these polls with Rasmussen, PPP, Gallup and others will fluctuate quite a bit over the next few months.  That 3% Obama lead on Santorum could expand greatly if the economy continues to improve.  But, the bad omen for Obama is the cost of a gallon of gas.  That will get you kicked out of office quicker than practically anything else in the USA.  Gas is causing everything to increase in price which is an inflation threat, not to mention it hurting employment figures.  The next few months will be interesting.  The Republicans fear their nominee (regardless of who it is) is no match for Obama even with all the baggage he carries.  But, stranger things have happened in politics.  You just have to be careful about what you wish for in U.S. politics.  You may get it.

ABO: Anybody But Obama

Just when you start thinking you can back Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum comes along and rocks the boat.  After his Florida win, I was almost positive that Mitt Romney was about to take the nomination at last.  He took Nevada easily.  So, I suspected Santorum would give him a tough go of it in Missouri, Colorado and another I forget at the moment.  That gave Rick Santorum a sweep of three states.  Not many people expected that.  I sure as hell didn't expect it.  Santorum is the social conservative in the Republican nomination process.  I'm not sure how that will play out in a national election when jobs and the economy are of the utmost importance to people right now.  Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum are in a dead heat statistically nationwide right now.  So, it is still anybody's race.  My fear is that President Obama will get Rick Santorum.  I may be wrong.  But, Obama would easily beat Rick Santorum.  Mitt Romney is the only one who can give Obama a run for his money according to polls right now.

But, it doesn't really matter if it is Rick Santorum, Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich or the Barber of Seville.    I will vote for ANYBODY BUT OBAMA.  I suspect I am far from being alone in that sentiment.  Sure, unemployment is improving.  But, for some reason, the news media refuses to delve into why it is improving.  You know, like people that have given up looking for a job, people who can't file unemployment claims because their funds have been exhausted.  Things like that.  If this were George W. Bush, you damn well better believe the news media would dissect these improving numbers apart.  But, Obama gets a pass.  It is the news media and Hollywood's infatuation that turns off a lot of people toward Obama.  He is the Messiah, The Anointed One.  He is also an abject failure as a president.  If you bleeding heart liberals would open your eyes, you would see Obama is a miserable failure also.  But, you are all Obama Zombies.  So, I suppose you can be excused.  But, the rest of us can make up our own minds.  Conservatives, moderates, and independents will determine this election.  If conservatives get out the vote, Obama can be beaten.  Even Rick Santorum can beat Obama in my opinion.  Obama has wrecked this economy despite the continual blame on "W."  People aren't buying that excuse any longer. 

People are ready for a change.  This time true Hope and Change.  We do  not want the empty slogans of the Obama Cult this time.  It is time to break from the the Obama Great Socialist experiment.  It has failed.  Obamacare is falling apart thanks to lawsuits, Republican opposition, and the recent gift to Republicans, contraceptives on demand from churches.  Like so many people, I am tired of President Obama.  Anybody but Obama?  You damn right.  Even Hillary (gasp) Clinton if she was running for the Republican nomination at this point. 

I'm Leaning Toward Mitt Romney

As the subject title states, I am leaning toward Mitt Romney now.  I know he is known as the great "flip-flopper."  I know he has the albatross of "Romneycare" around his neck. I know he is known as a "moderate Republican" which runs counter to all that I believe the Republican Party should be.  I have several other issues with the former governor of Massachusetts.  At one time, prior to this year, there is no way I would have voted for Mitt Romney.  That was before Newt Gingrich came to the forefront of the Republican race for President.  Gingrich is thought of as a "conservative" in some circles. That is total, complete nonsense.  His declaration of Rep. Paul Ryan's budget deficit cuts as "right-wing social engineering" told me all I need to know about this man.  His backdoor amnesty plan for illegal aliens clinched it for me.  He is a big government Republican that we all hoped and prayed had gone the way of the dinosaur.  

The more I learn about Ron Paul, the less I like him.  I would probably vote for Gingrich before I would this anti-Israel, anti-military, isolationist candidate.  Rick Santorum is making inroads in Iowa.  But, he simply doesn't have the drawing power to sustain any kind of momentum for long. Rick Perry may make a move. But, he's probably positioning himself for a future run now. Michelle Bachmann is finished and simply doesn't seem ro realize it.  So, why am I leaning toward Mitt Romney, you may ask?  Simply because he is the strongest candidate, the one who has the best chance at beating President Obama.  I know he is having difficulty getting past that 25% support level.  That will change after Iowa, one way or another.  Right now, Ron Paul and Mitt Romney are neck and neck in Iowa.  No one knows who will win that caucus.  If Romney wins Iowa and then wins New Hampshire (where he is heavily favored), the race is basically over.  The rest of the state contests will be simply window dressing.  So, Mitt Romney is my candidate for now.  Will he beat Obama?  I think he can as long as he doesn't make any big mistakes during the campaign. But, with the news media in President Obama's corner, that will be next to impossible for any Republican candidate.