By Rob Janicki
Rick Santorum is enjoying the high point of his quest for the Republican presidential nomination and so he should. However, in the long run, it will be all for naught, because Santorum doesn't have a plan. Whether Santorum sees it or not, the media is crafting his image as a one trick pony. Santorum is being repeatedly asked about his social conservative positions on abortion, don't ask- don't tell, same sex marriage, etc., instead of his positions on the issues that really concern voters. The more face time Santorum has with the media, it is devoted to responding to social issues, giving short shrift to foreign policy, economic policy or jobs. Willingly or not, Santorum is allowing himself to be painted in the corner of being a social radical, rather than a candidate with a comprehensive policy platform to run on.
According to Brett Baier of Fox News, polling indicates that over 90% of those polled rated the economy/jobs as either very important or extremely important compared to under 40% of those polled rating social issues as either very important or extremely important. In other words, Iowa, with its contingent of socially conservative voters, has skewed the Iowa vote outcome to appear that Santorum is on the right track to be competitive in the Republican primary.
Iowa is also an anomaly of sorts. First, something less than 140,000 caucus attendees voted. This is a small sample of Iowa voters. Because of the nature of the Iowa caucus process, it would be relatively easy for an organized activist group to participate and skew the results. The Ron Paul activists prove this point. They are well organized and rehearsed in presenting Paul's positions on every major and minor policy issue.
A comparison of all the candidates' websites demonstrates that Romney, Gingrich and Paul, the major competition, all have very comprehensive policy platforms laid out. Not so with Santorum. This omission, along with his limited funds and organization, will mitigate heavily against Santorum ever becoming successful at capturing the Republican nomination. Additionally, Santorum possesses only average debating skills when compared to Romney and Gingrich.
If Santorum hasn't withdrawn by the time the Florida primary occurs, he will be faced with the incontrovertible fact that he cannot possibly win the nomination after placing below second place in both the New Hampshire and South Carolina primaries. Such is the fate of the man without a plan...or the money, organization, and the skills and abilities necessary to be a successful campaigner and Republican party candidate.
Right on the mark. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI have always felt that Mr. Santorum was not in it for the Presidency but to prove he could campaign at something and win. It doesn't get much more intense and complicated than a Presidential campaign. He did it. It's done. Now he can relax and take care of business at home.
If he does not do that, he will have failed in his role as campaigner and Christian husband. Whether expected or not, the death of a child is such a major issue in a family, that often, if not handled properly, will tear the family apart, faith or no.
I believe it is in this role that we will see if Mr. Santorum is/was really Presidential material. Karma says he's done his job. Maybe there is something more important that needs to be done on a personal level for which he needed this experience and exposure to give him credibility, Mr. Huckabee being a good example.
Life always has the next day waiting around the corner, ready to smack us upside the head, expecting action. Mr. Santorum might want to thank his donors and supporters, and await his new future.