Friday, February 10, 2012

Santorum: Conservatism is in Romney's Heart, Not Just in His Head

It's funny how self-interest, ambition, and visions of grandeur can change a man's perspective so much in four short years. In 2008 Mitt Romney had Senator Santorum's enthusiastic endorsement. Today Senator Santorum attacks Mitt Romney as a "Massachusetts Moderate" and calls any defense from Mitt Romney "gotcha politics". What Romney has used to defend himself is what we usually refer to as "record". Romney has a record he stands by and Santorum has a record that is a "gotcha" because it stinks. It's a list of frivolous expenditures and deep deficits at American's expense. It's why Pennsylvania voted him out. He couldn't be trusted with the national wallet.
Today there was a letter released by notable conservatives who worked with the former governor during his tenure in Massachusetts that take issue with Gingrich and Santorum conspiring to label Mitt Romney a "Massachusetts Moderate" and in some cases a "Massachusetts Liberal". They list the fights that Mitt Romney fought and in many instances won in a state dominated by a democratic legislature. They affirm that, "for four years, Governor Romney was right there beside us, providing leadership on key issues - whether it was politically expedient to do so or not. He has stood on principle, and we have benefited greatly from having him with us." Some of those key issues included, abstinence education, religious freedom, culture of life, traditional marriage, balanced budgets, deficit reduction, and ultimately a rainy day fund $2 billion large. Another key conservative endorsement worth reading this week is from constitutional scholar and RNC member James Bopp, Jr., in which Mr. Bopp defends Mitt Romney as a "true conservative" with a record that proves it. It's a great letter so please read it in it's entirety if you doubt Romney's conservative credentials.

Santorum has every right to go after the man he fervently supported just four years ago but shouldn't complain if Mr. Romney brings up his record in congress and the senate. Pork spending and earmarks were Santorum's niche and records are persistent. They just don't go away and they speak stronger than words. In a year where economy, debt, and deficits are at center stage I don't think we need another big spending republican who will spend more of our children's money. After all, they already spent all of ours and Santorum's bridge to nowhere is just one place he decided to spend it. Not to mention he is a quasi lobbyist but that's another story.

6 comments:

Right Wingnut said...

In 2008 Mitt Romney had Senator Santorum's enthusiastic endorsement.

So what? Pawlenty and Huntsman were hammering Romney before they left the race. This is politics. Nobody cares who Santorum endorsed in 2008.

Publius Nemo said...

The point is he supported a "Massachusetts Moderate" for president? The label does not fit and his past endorsement supports that argument. The label is false and misleading.

Anonymous said...

And Santorum hasn't just been going after Romney's record on a legitimate difference of policy opinions. Instead Santorum has been outright lying about Romney's record. How easy it is for career politicians to let hate and envy rot their once good hearts.

Terrye said...

RWN:

So what? Well it makes Santorum a flip flopping hypocrite, but who cares about that?

Terrye said...

I think the biggest lesson I have learned from this election is that people like Rush and Malkin and Levin are frauds...they just want to make money.

After all, a few years ago these people were shrieking to the heavens about illegal immigration. They gave Bush no end of hell about that comprehensive immigration reform, and Romney never supported it..never.

And how do they respond? Well, they cherry pick video to make it sound as if Romney said something that he certainly did not say and then they end up backing a guy who supported more benefits for illegals and did not even vote for the E-verify system..They follow that will a lot of self righteous and sanctimonious preaching about the tenets and glories of true and pure conservatism.

Gag me.

Unknown said...

I don't get it--with Rush and Malkin and Levin; why the dislike for Mitt? I hear it, but I don't understand, really.
Santorum is just another Politician, really, except that he has one or two very hardline positions--what, abortion and he a military hawk.

I would say, play the Santorum endorsement of Mitt all day long; but Rick is not very articulate, so its kind of a fumbling endorsement.