Rick Santorum has a serious problem that has no answer. He must appeal to the conservative base. He must strike a chord with the values people. He needs to appeal to those who are known as the 3 G’s” God, guns, and gay (anti). That should not be difficult for Santorum. His reputation in the U.S. Senate definitely fits the bill as he was very anti-gay rights, pro gun, wanted school vouchers, school prayer and those sorts of things. He opposed anything having to do with reproductive rights. He was anti abortion, even the hard cases. He eschewed contraception and anything that smacked of Title X to include Planned Parenthood.
Santorum definitely passes the values test. So what’s the problem? He is so values oriented that he would never be able to succeed in a general election. Let’s say, taking a huge leap of faith, that Santorum got the GOP nod of approval. The Democrats, the Independents, and many of the Republicans would mop the floor with him. Even conservative Republicans don’t fit in Santorum’s mold. Not even close.
According to the Washington Post:
But old Santorum foes believe the red-hot attention he’s received since his Iowa ascent will remind voters of some of his most controversial past statements — and turn off Republican voters who want to tackle Obama with an economic message and not get distracted by social issues.
A Washington Post-ABC poll in October found that 51 percent of adults thought the economy or jobs were the most important issues in their selection of a GOP nominee. An additional 13 percent said the deficit, debt or spending. Just 3 percent said morals or family values were most important.
Santorum’s record is rich with statements that could turn off independents.
In a 2005 interview, Santorum called birth control “harmful to women.”
“I think it’s harmful to our society to have a society that says that sex outside of marriage is something that should be encouraged or tolerated, particularly among the young,” he said.
(He said last week that while personally opposed to birth control, he would oppose any attempt to ban it. “The idea I’m coming after your birth control is absurd,” he said.)
In another interview in 2003, he compared gay sex to bestiality.
“In every society, the definition of marriage has not ever to my knowledge included homosexuality,” he said. “That’s not to pick on homosexuality. It’s not, you know, man on child, man on dog, or whatever the case may be.”
“The more familiar people become with Rick Santorum, the more they look at him, the less they’re going to like him,” said Dan Savage, a columnist and gay rights activist who became Santorum’s chief antagonist after launching a 2003 contest among readers to protest Santorum’s stance on homosexuality by finding ways to mock the politician’s name.
Granted, Dan Savage is an old adversary of Santorum. However, much of what Santorum is saying is not going to sit well with the rank and file voter. Americans seem too fixated on the economy and getting back to normal to fall for someone who wants to entertain the ‘family values’ issues. Most people are fairly comfortable with their own family values.
It remains to be seen how Rick Santorum plans to transition from a far right culture warrior to mainstream America. I simply don’t see it happening–not in a general election. Rick Santorum’s social agenda may have helped him win over evangelicals in Iowa, but it seems to be giving his opponents in New Hampshire plenty of ammunition. I doubt if he ever gets to the general election.
Santorum benefitted in Iowa from being the last man standing (except Huntsman) after some brutal ads and a lot of public scrutiny aimed at the other candidates. Aside from his extreme views, he’s not a very likable candidate despite his attempt to look more down-home and friendly in his sweater vest. He comes across as sanctimonous and can go from smile to snarl in about two seconds. He’d make great Saturday Night Live material.
@Censored, and he did last night. His character was the open skit.
He has made me want to tear him up for about 15 years. I think he was finally the flavor of the week. You are right. He’s not very likeable. Good image painted with the smile to snarl analogy.
It’s pretty considerate for all of them to rise to the top one at a time. Easy pickings for a blogger. Its his turn in the barrel now. Rick, we’ve been waiting for you!
Santorum makes Perry look down-right likeable. The only person who still sounds like an idiot is Ron Paul and he just gets more ridiculous sounding. I miss Michele Bachmann. I feel like old friends are falling off one by one. Cain, Bachmann, etc.
I don’t know when the Republicans have provided us with so much fun. I want to say they are like the Muppets or something.
@Moon-howler
Hee hee…. it has become like a reality show as a new candidate is voted off the island each week or so.
Classic!
I haven’t even minded the debates. I sit there with baited breath waiting to see which is going to put on the best show. Censored is right…..who is going to get voted off the island? This week? Too soon to tell. It might be Huntsman if he answers them in Mandarin again. Now that was a pretty jerky thing to do.
The voters will elect the man who they think can best turn this economy around. Nothing else matters.
@Starryflights
You think ONE man, i.e. the president, can turn the economy around? Really?