Rick Santorum

[Sword of Geddon]

I prefer Santorum, but I like Newt way more than Romney. Romney is the John Mccain of this election.

[good4u1]

And Romney is the GOP Establishment "pick" (can I say that?) to go agst Obama...but the challenge for them is to convince the clueless American Electorate that "they" selected the GOP nominee and not them. Are we as stupid as they suppose? We shall see...I hope not.

[Sword of Geddon]

I hope not either..

I believe there are "statists" in both parties, and the idea of an American electorate thinking and voting for themselves scares them. They have much influence in both parties but that influence(as the tea party has demonstrated in the past) is far from absolute.

I believe Newt was once part of this establishment..but I think, based on their treatment of him in the past and how much they are doing all in their power to downplay Newt or attack him that its safe to say he has gone rogue.

They said that of Sarah Palin too..when she took it upon herself to run ads against Obama and attack Obama, without Mccain or Republican approval.

[Jericho]

Currently my pick from best to least is Santorum>Gingrich>Romney>Paul.

[Sword of Geddon]

Currently my pick from best to least is Santorum>Gingrich>Romney>Paul.

Same here Sword.

[daffodyllady]

I still don't think Santorum projects himself like a president. He does not inspire respect in those who may not agree with him. I don't think he would be able to govern well because of that weakness.

[GodsStudent]

I still don't think Santorum projects himself like a president. He does not inspire respect in those who may not agree with him. I don't think he would be able to govern well because of that weakness.

I guess this is what draws me to him. He seems more sincere than the other "career politicians."

The dirt they've dug up on him doesn't amount to much (at least what I've been exposed to, and they just had the primaries in my state, and it was pretty around the clock).

[Sword of Geddon]

It is actually funny because many people who don't like Mitt Romney have said one reason is because he is "too polished". What used to be something that made people respect you now seems increasingly to cause people to distrust someone running for office.

I think Obama is part of the reason for that.

[daffodyllady]

It's one thing to be polished, as a politician, and another thing to have personal "presence." Santorum's way of speaking comes off as apologetic, almost. His voice is higher, his body language weak. He seems to be arguing into the wind. I like what he stands for, but the man himself is not leadership stuff.

[Sword of Geddon]

I remember Herman Cain talking about how he thought the other candidates appeared to him, way back in October. He said "Ron Paul comes across as an angry old man at times" while he thought Rick Santorum looked stressed and nervous.

So yeah your not the only one who sees that. But we have had good Presidents before who were not good with the media or good at speaking. President Calvin Coolidge only actually spoke to the media once. A person in the media told Coolidge that he had a bet with a friend, the bet was that he could get the President to say more than three words.

After hearing what the reporter said, Calvin Coolidge simply responded: "You lose"

[daffodyllady]

Those were the good old days, before TV. Since the advent of televised political debates, speeches, and advertizements, only pretty people who can speak like well-trained actors can get elected.

[good4u1]

Santorum has nothing to really loose, imo, by staying in he could be the logical alternative to the man-eating-man contest between Gingrich and Romney. Tho' Santorum may present himself not as assertively as Gingrich who most of the time overcompensates and comes off as an arrogant snob and Romney as over coached and boringly stiff, no one has the perfect persona 24/7. We are fallen people, including politicians and I vote values in the primaries and Santorum as of now, most closely matches my own. In the General, I always vote the GOP nominee...always.

[Sword of Geddon]

Those were the good old days, before TV. Since the advent of televised political debates, speeches, and advertizements, only pretty people who can speak like well-trained actors can get elected.

Do you think television has been a positive cultural and societal influence overall? Would we all be better today without it? What do you think Daffo?(I can call you that right?)

Santorum has nothing to really loose, imo, by staying in he could be the logical alternative to the man-eating-man contest between Gingrich and Romney. Tho' Santorum may present himself not as assertively as Gingrich who most of the time overcompensates and comes off as an arrogant snob and Romney as over coached and boringly stiff, no one has the perfect persona 24/7. We are fallen people, including politicians and I vote values in the primaries and Santorum as of now, most closely matches my own. In the General, I always vote the GOP nominee...always.

I agree with you about Santorum. If I had a lamp I'd wish for a canaudate that combined the best aspects of Santorum, Newt, Perry and Cain and none of their weaknesses. I don't hate Romney but he comes across as uninspired, unexcited and I think lacking in vision, and to me those are things a President should have(inspiration, excitement and vision).

Romney has to watch out for the news media trying to back him. If you remember alot of liberal media outlets endorsed John Mccain, only to turn on him like vultures the moment the general election started.

I really dislike the "Republican Establishment", who choose a candidate to win(because they have money and something personal at stake no doubt) , even if it would hurt the country. Frankly if it were not for the Tea Party and others, Newt would not be a contender right now.

[good4u1]

It was said today there is still opportunity for another "dark horse" to enter the primary, if a candidate so chooses...but the window is closing...sometime in February...after Super Tuesday, perhaps? At any rate, we have a weak incumbent President and if we do not have someone who can put forth vision and inspiration some way, some how to instill confidence in that candidate to the voters...it will be a much tighter race than I would like. Obama is not unbeatable, but an equally lack luster GOP nominee will not make it easy for independent voters who tend to do this..."It is better to stick with the devil I know than the devil I don't" which does not bode well for the GOP.

It is all so distressing...but this is not out of God's sovereignty either...nothing surprises him. I am so glad I do not run world affairs...I would from the pressure.

[daffyladysson]

Good job Santorum!

[Sword of Geddon]

I've seen some vicious attacks on Santorum, even by self-described "conservatives". They claim Santorum is unelectable because of his stand on social issues. Honestly I don't see it that way.

But I will say this. The day someone is considered a bigot or intolerant by the majority of the population for holding fast to biblical/traditional values is the day this country is dead. And if it dies it will have deserved it.

[Stephen54]

http://www.avemaria.edu/NewsEvents/Podcasts.aspx

On the web I came across a truncated version of this speech, but decided to pull up and listen to the full speech from Ave Maria University's podcasts. It is the ninth podcast down on the list and takes about 30 minutes of your time to hear. For our non-American audience it is probably too much time, but for you in the USA, it is important to realize how crucial the issue of character is for the one we elect to the highest office in the land. Another insight about this speech is that it was given in 2008, and therefore, is not a campaign speech. If you do choose to listen, the clincher is at the end so hang in there.

[GodsStudent]

http://www.avemaria.edu/NewsEvents/Podcasts.aspx

On the web I came across a truncated version of this speech, but decided to pull up and listen to the full speech from Ave Maria University's podcasts. It is the ninth podcast down on the list and takes about 30 minutes of your time to hear. For our non-American audience it is probably too much time, but for you in the USA, it is important to realize how crucial the issue of character is for the one we elect to the highest office in the land. Another insight about this speech is that it was given in 2008, and therefore, is not a campaign speech. If you do choose to listen, the clincher is at the end so hang in there.

Do you have any cliff notes you might share? I don't know what the purpose of listening to his speech might be, does it encourage us as to Santirum's character, or is this a bone trying to jump out of a skeletal closet? thanks for any observations you or anyone else might be willing to share.

[Abiding in His Word]

I did listen to Santorum's speech at Ave Maria. I was impressed with the man's honesty about his past ambivalence about his faith and the growth of the same to the point of complete repulsion about abortion. He seemed to reflect a man of integrity, honesty, and an understanding of the danger of pride in one's life. He spoke of a faith and strong confidence that God does work out all things for good regardless of whether or not we are blessed to see it at the time.

He mentioned his desire to debate the abortion issue in congress one year and it meant extending the session longer than anyone wanted to. They agreed to give him some time so he phoned his wife to see if she minded terribly if he was late. She told him he needed to do what he felt he had to, so he stayed and his argument before the senate lasted 1 1/2 hrs. It failed to pass and when he got home his wife and children were all asleep and he felt he had missed an opportunity to spend time with them perhaps to satisfy his own pride if successful in the debate. He seemed to feel ashamed about his pride in that circumstance.

I have strong reservations about catholicism, but on the other hand, I can't imagine a catholic president bringing up the matter of the pope's supposed infallibility, the doctrine of the "real presence" in the eucharist, or other catholic doctrine that might hinder his candidacy. But his values, faith, and morals would be an asset I would think. Catholicism didn't affect John Kennedy's presidency I don't think.

[brandon]

It's one thing to be polished, as a politician, and another thing to have personal "presence." Santorum's way of speaking comes off as apologetic, almost. His voice is higher, his body language weak. He seems to be arguing into the wind. I like what he stands for, but the man himself is not leadership stuff.

Thanks Daffy for better clarifying why I've never been able to get myself to vote for Santorum. He's got the right principal and character, but has a weak presence about him. He doesn't have the sense of authority about him that every President needs to have to inspire confidence in the people.

[Sword of Geddon]

It's one thing to be polished, as a politician, and another thing to have personal "presence." Santorum's way of speaking comes off as apologetic, almost. His voice is higher, his body language weak. He seems to be arguing into the wind. I like what he stands for, but the man himself is not leadership stuff.

Thanks Daffy for better clarifying why I've never been able to get myself to vote for Santorum. He's got the right principal and character, but has a weak presence about him. He doesn't have the sense of authority about him that every President needs to have to inspire confidence in the people.

You could vote based on how he looks, or you can vote based on what his platform is, what has has done, what he stands for.

[brandon]

It's not about looks, it's about presence. It's about bold and uncompromising confidence that radiates around a person. There's fakes that do this really well (see Bill Clinton, who had the charisma and magnetic charm, but no character) and there's many an honest man who doesn't do this well at all (Santorum). I'd rather have Santorum over Clinton in office, but in a battle for the seat, I'm just not sure Santorum has the capacity to lead, and his ideas just don't seem to be very bold. I understand why people like him, I just didn't find him to be worth my vote in the primary.

Funny thing though: Michael Biundo lives close to me here in Manchester, NH, and is the campaign manager for him nationally. Somehow he friended me on Facebook a while back. He's evidently a campaign genius.

[Abiding in His Word]

It's not about looks, it's about presence.

This is something that can be developed with a little coaching I would think. Just as all public speakers and politicians learn to enhance their public "skills," within a short space of time, we might see a big difference. Presence isn't everything though, as we know from Jesus: "He has no stately form or majesty That we should look upon Him, Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him."

[Stephen54]

Do you have any cliff notes you might share? I don't know what the purpose of listening to his speech might be, does it encourage us as to Santirum's character, or is this a bone trying to jump out of a skeletal closet? thanks for any observations you or anyone else might be willing to share.

Actually, Abiding did a much better job summarizing than I would! IMHO our image-conscious culture inflates the importance of looks and presence. What this country needs now more than anything is a God-fearing president with character. Of all the candidates I've listened to, Santorum comes closest to fitting the bill. The struggles and sorrows he shared about in that speech have drawn him closer to God:

Romans 5:3 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope...