Santorum’s blue collar message gets thumbs up from Mike Gerson, David Brooks and Charles Krauthammer
“Rick Santorum is not just an outspoken social conservative; he is the Republican candidate who addresses the struggles of blue-collar workers and the need for greater economic mobility.” - Mike Gerson in the
Washington Post
“One of Santorum’s strengths is that he understands that a nation isn’t just an agglomeration of individuals; it’s a fabric of social relationships” - David Brooks in the
New York Times
Santorum “is the first challenger to be plausibly presidential: knowledgeable, articulate, experienced, of stable character and authentic ideology” - Charles Krauthammer in the
Washington Post
“With equal passion, Santorum pledges both to end abortion and revive American manufacturing (albeit through tax cuts, not the trade barriers Buchanan favored). Within minutes at the same appearance, he can alternately sound like Pat Robertson and Dick Gephardt.” - Ronald Brownstein for
National Journal
Santorum cast himself as an advocate for blue-collar workers and their economically troubled communities -
WSJ
Santorum’s weaknesses
Iowa’s Republicans who wanted to beat Obama didn’t vote for Santorum -
Washington Post
Politico focuses on his 2006 defeat in Pennsylvania: “By the time of his nearly 18-point loss — a stunning margin for a two-term incumbent — he had also alienated women voters, moderate Republicans and independents — not to mention the Democrats he had once won over. He lost almost every region of the state and almost every demographic group, including the blue-collar workers he singles out on the campaign trail in 2012.”
Santorum was shouted at and booed by college students Thursday after a heated exchange on gay marriage -
WSJ
“He was great at delivering the GOP message, but then he would say outrageous things and get himself into trouble” -
Roll Call probes a Jekyll and Hyde character to Santorum
As a senator, Santorum was not averse to earmarks: He made sure Pennsylvania got its share of pork -
NRO
When he lost his 2006 re-election bid, Rick Santorum built a lucrative career in the private sector based largely on income from businesses his work in Congress had benefited -
New York Times
South Carolina Primary Rasmussen Poll: Romney 27%, Santorum 24%, Gingrich 18%
New Hampshire Primary Rasmussen Poll: Romney 42%, Paul 18%, Santorum 13%, Huntsman 12%
New Hampshire: Suffolk Poll shows Santorum up 4 consecutive days to 11 percent. Romney 40 percent, Paul 17 percent
New Time/CNN poll in SC: Romney 37%, Santorum 19%, Gingrich 18%, Paul 12%, Perry 5%, Huntsman 1%:
lifenews.com/2012/01/06/santorum-south-carolina-bump-romney-27-rick-24-newt-18/
Rick Santorum, Racist — It’s a Lie by Kathryn Lopez
Lies, Damned Lies, and NPR by Shannen Coffin
The Slanders Against Santorum Clarify the Real Conflict by David French
Greg Hengler of TownHall: “An interesting interview with Robert Traynham, Rick Santorum’s former aide of ten years appeared on today’s Hardball with Matthews. Traynham tells Chris, “I was openly out to him.” and then goes on to defend Rick’s character and beliefs. An important interview considering the angle the media and the Democrat Party will take in trying to sink Santorum’s campaign.”
Traynham defending Rick Santorum to Chris Matthews:
youtube.com/watch?v=N0_CAjhz6a0