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angelatc
01-30-2012, 08:50 AM
Michelle Malkin just endorsed Santorum (http://michellemalkin.com/2012/01/30/for-santorum/). Here's what she wrote about Ron Paul:


I have no illusions about Rick Santorum. I wish he were as rock-solid on core economic issues as Ron Paul.
And I wish Ron Paul was not the far-out, Alex Jones-panderer on foreign policy, defense, and national security that he is.
If Ron Paul talked more like his son, Rand Paul, about the need for common-sense profiling of jihadists at our State Department consular offices overseas and if he talked more about the need for strengthened visa screening and airport security scrutiny of international flight manifests, I might have more than a kernel of confidence that he would take post-9/11 precautions to guard against jihadi threats and protect us from our enemies foreign and domestic. But he doesn’t, so I can’t support Ron Paul.


Her site doesn't allow comments from people who aren't already registered.

Before the thread gets filled up with vintage Malkin YouToobs from the kiddies, I just want to point out that this illustrates the need for Ron Paul to reframe his message.

Let the hate spew commence.

trey4sports
01-30-2012, 08:53 AM
Whatever.


Enjoy 4 more years of Obama.

thoughtomator
01-30-2012, 08:53 AM
Michelle is a little too concerned about enemies foreign and not concerned enough about enemies domestic.

She fails to understand though that the aggressive foreign policy she wants cannot be paid for and thus cannot happen, no matter how much she or anyone else may want it to happen.

specsaregood
01-30-2012, 08:53 AM
Before the thread gets filled up with vintage Malkin YouToobs from the kiddies, I just want to point out that this illustrates the need for Ron Paul to reframe his message.
Let the hate spew commence.

I'm pretty sure that no matter how you frame it, dr. paul isn't going to endorse concentration camps in the US. like Malkin does. just saying. although I'm quite sure santorum is more than willing to throw any political adversary in the gulag.

Austrian Econ Disciple
01-30-2012, 08:59 AM
I disagree. What this illustrates perfectly to me is that Michelle's most important subject is killing muslim's and an aggressive Wilsonian Foreign Policy coupled with a domestic Police State. Further, her Foreign Policy positions reinforce the idea of a large bureaucratic State at home, as well as an inflated budget payed for through the Fed's duty to inflate, counterfeit, and tax the wealth from the individual to the Corporate, MIC, and Blood-Money interests. She is a fool, a useful idiot, and a fascist.

Krugerrand
01-30-2012, 09:02 AM
I disagree. What this illustrates perfectly to me is that Michelle's most important subject is killing muslim's and an aggressive Wilsonian Foreign Policy coupled with a domestic Police State. Further, her Foreign Policy positions reinforce the idea of a large bureaucratic State at home, as well as an inflated budget payed for through the Fed's duty to inflate, counterfeit, and tax the wealth from the individual to the Corporate, MIC, and Blood-Money interests. She is a fool, a useful idiot, and a fascist.

I disagree. I don't find her useful at all.

cajuncocoa
01-30-2012, 09:05 AM
I disagree. What this illustrates perfectly to me is that Michelle's most important subject is killing muslim's and an aggressive Wilsonian Foreign Policy coupled with a domestic Police State. Further, her Foreign Policy positions reinforce the idea of a large bureaucratic State at home, as well as an inflated budget payed for through the Fed's duty to inflate, counterfeit, and tax the wealth from the individual to the Corporate, MIC, and Blood-Money interests. She is a fool, a useful idiot, and a fascist.


I disagree. I don't find her useful at all.

+1

Austrian Econ Disciple
01-30-2012, 09:10 AM
I disagree. I don't find her useful at all.

Do I really need to define useful idiot? I thought it was pretty well common knowledge round these parts.

roho76
01-30-2012, 09:15 AM
How do you profile jihadists? Describe what a jihadist looks like. This is absurd. More theatrical safety.

Sola_Fide
01-30-2012, 09:16 AM
I don't think she's cute anymore.

cajuncocoa
01-30-2012, 09:19 AM
Ms. Malkin needs to understand that the Constitution is the same now as it was before 9-11. Just sayin'.

William R
01-30-2012, 09:21 AM
Going on the Alex Jones show hurts. I think Alex is very entertaining, but he's over the top.

musicmax
01-30-2012, 09:26 AM
Describe what a jihadist looks like.

From 1941-1945, we were told that they look like... Michelle Malkin.

Justinfrom1776
01-30-2012, 09:32 AM
Going on the Alex Jones show hurts. I think Alex is very entertaining, but he's over the top.

If it wasn't that, it'd be something else.. People like Malkin have this unhealthy nationalistic view of America and that requires our leaders to talk tough and send young men and women all around the world fighting and dying for "freedom".. There will always be a market for folks like Alex Jones to jump on every conspiracy theory that comes along, I don't have a problem with him.. He exists because people don't trust their government and they shouldn't!

KingNothing
01-30-2012, 09:35 AM
If only Ron Paul supported unconstitutional things like internment caps for anyone Michelle Malkin deemed a possible threat, then Michelle Malkin could push him. Until then, Paul will have to soldier on without her backing.

LibertyEagle
01-30-2012, 09:39 AM
Michelle Malkin just endorsed Santorum (http://michellemalkin.com/2012/01/30/for-santorum/). Here's what she wrote about Ron Paul:



Her site doesn't allow comments from people who aren't already registered.

Before the thread gets filled up with vintage Malkin YouToobs from the kiddies, I just want to point out that this illustrates the need for Ron Paul to reframe his message.

Let the hate spew commence.

I don't think she'd ever endorse Paul, but I agree that many more Republicans would embrace his foreign policy, if he would reframe it.

cajuncocoa
01-30-2012, 09:43 AM
How do you profile jihadists? Describe what a jihadist looks like.


From 1941-1945, we were told that they look like... Michelle Malkin.

Good point. She should keep that in mind.

low preference guy
01-30-2012, 10:02 AM
I just want to point out that this illustrates the need for Ron Paul to reframe his message.

Meh. I don't expect too much from someone writing books to justify FDR's concentration camps.

donnay
01-30-2012, 10:03 AM
I have no illusions about Rick Santorum. I wish he were as rock-solid on core economic issues as Ron Paul.
And I wish Ron Paul was not the far-out, Alex Jones-panderer on foreign policy, defense, and national security that he is.
If Ron Paul talked more like his son, Rand Paul, about the need for common-sense profiling of jihadists at our State Department consular offices overseas and if he talked more about the need for strengthened visa screening and airport security scrutiny of international flight manifests, I might have more than a kernel of confidence that he would take post-9/11 precautions to guard against jihadi threats and protect us from our enemies foreign and domestic. But he doesn’t, so I can’t support Ron Paul.

Aww, Michelle is such a peach. I mean really, how could anyone not want to fawn all over this cutesy little girl who spews vitriolic hatred for other human beings? I mean, c'mon, those terrible Islamofacists hate us for a freedom and prosperity, doncha know? Anyone who disagrees with her should be taken away to a nice internment camp and get three hots and a cot. What could be so bad about that? Government is here to protect us and keep us safe, right?

Pericles
01-30-2012, 10:08 AM
Michelle Malkin just endorsed Santorum (http://michellemalkin.com/2012/01/30/for-santorum/). Here's what she wrote about Ron Paul:



Her site doesn't allow comments from people who aren't already registered.

Before the thread gets filled up with vintage Malkin YouToobs from the kiddies, I just want to point out that this illustrates the need for Ron Paul to reframe his message.

Let the hate spew commence.

You are correct, the foreign policy and defense message needs to be better articulated on how we will keep the country secure.

Cowlesy
01-30-2012, 10:10 AM
Endorsing Rick Santorum is endorsing Big Government. I won't even call it "Big Government Conservatism" because there is nothing Conservative about how things went down in the Bush and Clinton years while Santorum was in office.

I think it's kind of a shame that she doesn't think Ron Paul would keep this country safe. I think that'd be his first priority, honestly.

And this country won't be safe if we drive the economy off the cliff. The economy is the oil for the machine. We'll seize up like an engine without oil unless we enact Ron's fiscal policy reforms. I'd rather go on sound reforms than "faith" that Rick Santorum is going to magically make the world like us more to fund his adventures.

Working Poor
01-30-2012, 10:12 AM
I disagree. What this illustrates perfectly to me is that Michelle's most important subject is killing muslim's and an aggressive Wilsonian Foreign Policy coupled with a domestic Police State. Further, her Foreign Policy positions reinforce the idea of a large bureaucratic State at home, as well as an inflated budget payed for through the Fed's duty to inflate, counterfeit, and tax the wealth from the individual to the Corporate, MIC, and Blood-Money interests. She is a fool, a useful idiot, and a fascist.

and a racist...

MrTudo
01-30-2012, 10:13 AM
Maybe "chelle" would like to don the uniform and show us just how much she wants to go to another war?


Nah, didn't think so. Back to allasians.com with you chelle

V3n
01-30-2012, 10:17 AM
How do you profile jihadists? Describe what a jihadist looks like. This is absurd. More theatrical safety.

Let's see..

they're probably of Middle Eastern descent
they've probably got long hair
maybe a long beard
they'd definitely be dressed differently than us
maybe they speak a different language than we do
imagine they'd be holding a weapon in their hand
they'd also be very passionate about their faith

Yeah.. I think she's looking for someone who looks just like this guy:

http://www.soulshepherding.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Jesus-Shepherd-staff-comforts-sheep.jpg

AuH20
01-30-2012, 10:23 AM
Michelle Malkin just endorsed Santorum (http://michellemalkin.com/2012/01/30/for-santorum/). Here's what she wrote about Ron Paul:



Her site doesn't allow comments from people who aren't already registered.

Before the thread gets filled up with vintage Malkin YouToobs from the kiddies, I just want to point out that this illustrates the need for Ron Paul to reframe his message.

Let the hate spew commence.

I think you nailed it. Thanks to the media untruths and Ron's poorly worded statements, he comes off as a jihadist coddler to some people.

Pericles
01-30-2012, 10:30 AM
I think you nailed it. Thanks to the media untruths and Ron's poorly worded statements, he comes off as a jihadist coddler to some people.

And that perception, once created, is awfully hard to undo. It is costing him support from people who would otherwise be very receptive to the message, and snark from RP supporters isn't going to help spread the message of the need for RP to be elected.

RM918
01-30-2012, 10:39 AM
Foreign policy certainly needs to be reframed by the campaign, but that doesn't mean she still isn't horribly deluded and working against her own interests yet has no problem justifying it anyway.

milo10
01-30-2012, 10:42 AM
Endorsing Rick Santorum is endorsing Big Government. I won't even call it "Big Government Conservatism" because there is nothing Conservative about how things went down in the Bush and Clinton years while Santorum was in office.

I think it's kind of a shame that she doesn't think Ron Paul would keep this country safe. I think that'd be his first priority, honestly.

And this country won't be safe if we drive the economy off the cliff. The economy is the oil for the machine. We'll seize up like an engine without oil unless we enact Ron's fiscal policy reforms. I'd rather go on sound reforms than "faith" that Rick Santorum is going to magically make the world like us more to fund his adventures.

Very well put.

Fredom101
01-30-2012, 10:54 AM
Michelle Malkin just endorsed Santorum (http://michellemalkin.com/2012/01/30/for-santorum/). Here's what she wrote about Ron Paul:



Her site doesn't allow comments from people who aren't already registered.

Before the thread gets filled up with vintage Malkin YouToobs from the kiddies, I just want to point out that this illustrates the need for Ron Paul to reframe his message.

Let the hate spew commence.

Pander to Malkin? HELL no. Please research her positions before giving her any credibility. She's not only mentally disturbed, she's still angry at Alex Jones over that whole crazy incident (that he in fact provoked) at the 08 DNC.

Hell no to Malkin!

ExPatPaki
01-30-2012, 12:01 PM
what's a jihadist and how do you profile them? does Rand Paul really support this and has he outlined a procedural profiling technique?

specsaregood
01-30-2012, 12:18 PM
what's a jihadist and how do you profile them? does Rand Paul really support this and has he outlined a procedural profiling technique?

ARe you implying that there is no behavioral profiling for somebody preparing to perform a terrorist act?

Romulus
01-30-2012, 12:42 PM
Michelle is a little too concerned about enemies foreign and not concerned enough about enemies domestic.

She fails to understand though that the aggressive foreign policy she wants cannot be paid for and thus cannot happen, no matter how much she or anyone else may want it to happen.

that

Romulus
01-30-2012, 12:43 PM
From 1941-1945, we were told that they look like... Michelle Malkin.

Ironic, isn't it?

donnay
01-30-2012, 12:52 PM
ARe you implying that there is no behavioral profiling for somebody preparing to perform a terrorist act?

How about the underwear bomber? What do you think his behavior was like when he had no passport, and was escorted by a well-dressed man to get on the plane to by-pass security?

How about the MIAC report? Remember who they told law enforcement to profile?

Here's who they are profiling:

Do You Support the Constitution? YOU'RE A TERRORIST SUSPECT!

http://whatreallyhappened.com/IMAGES/FBI-MCSOTerroristFlyer-Back.jpg

sparebulb
01-30-2012, 12:59 PM
Malkin isn't even very original. She's stealing Hannity's divide and conquer strategy by trying to fabricate a wedge between Ron and Rand on policy.

Malkin is definitely not even close to top-tier in the talking head trade. Without having cable news anymore, she is irrelevant in my world........and should be in irrelevant in everyone else's also.

KingNothing
01-30-2012, 01:08 PM
How about the underwear bomber? What do you think his behavior was like when he had no passport, and was escorted by a well-dressed man to get on the plane to by-pass security?

How about the MIAC report? Remember who they told law enforcement to profile?

Here's who they are profiling:

Do You Support the Constitution? YOU'RE A TERRORIST SUSPECT!

http://whatreallyhappened.com/IMAGES/FBI-MCSOTerroristFlyer-Back.jpg


I love that report.

It's... so... stupid.


Really, the people we entrust with extensive authority to protect us are, by and large, stupid.

"Weapons of Mass Destruction" ........reeeeeeeeaaall? Really? They have to define that? Really? To what end? So a cop stumbles upon, a, umm, ahh, a nuclear bomb. He then recalls his MIAC training: "HEY! NUCLEAR! BOMB! This is a... what do they call it... a nuclear bomb! People who have these are dangerous!"

Really? They really need to train to that?

KingNothing
01-30-2012, 01:09 PM
Malkin isn't even very original. She's stealing Hannity's divide and conquer strategy by trying to fabricate a wedge between Ron and Rand on policy.

Malkin is definitely not even close to top-tier in the talking head trade. Without having cable news anymore, she is irrelevant in my world........and should be in irrelevant in everyone else's also.

If Malkin had different genitals she wouldn't be in the mainstream media or receive national attention. She's a nothing. But she's got a pretty face, or so we're supposed to believe, so she gets a relatively large platform to spew stupidity and hate.

pacelli
01-30-2012, 01:13 PM
this illustrates the need for Ron Paul to reframe his message.


Campaign is serious about winning, I have no doubt that we'll be seeing at least 1 reframe before the general!

Deborah K
01-30-2012, 01:13 PM
I stood on a busy corner in Pacific Beach yesterday passing out brochures and I can tell you, he DOES need to reassure people that he intends to take measures to keep us safe. I think most people have war fatigue and appreciate that he's the Peace candidate, but like it or not, the MIC and their propaganda arm have done a most sufficient job of making people afraid of another attack. He needs to address this and he needs to do it ASAP!

AFPVet
01-30-2012, 01:14 PM
Alex Jones isn't as bad nowadays as he used to be. He has really come a long way... you have to admit. He has very contemporary television news and radio studios and talks about more "down to earth" topics as opposed to when he first began. I believe that he is more "mainstream" now so that he can affect a greater audience without sounding over the top. Sure, he still sensationalizes and pushes products; however, he is still a businessman... nothing wrong with that. Alex knows what he's doing and how to reach out to larger crowds... he can be especially useful now since he is really pushing Dr. Paul.

pacelli
01-30-2012, 01:18 PM
"Weapons of Mass Destruction" ........reeeeeeeeaaall? Really? They have to define that? Really? To what end? So a cop stumbles upon, a, umm, ahh, a nuclear bomb. He then recalls his MIAC training: "HEY! NUCLEAR! BOMB! This is a... what do they call it... a nuclear bomb! People who have these are dangerous!"

Really? They really need to train to that?

I think they were trying to say that people that talk about "weapons of mass destruction" are terrorists. Which is true. Unfortunately those people are running our government, and the heartland security guys aren't going to arrest people above their pay grade.

Brian4Liberty
01-30-2012, 01:20 PM
A wise Founding Father had a specific message for Michelle Malkin:

"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." - Benjamin Franklin

donnay
01-30-2012, 01:30 PM
Here's another wise Founding Father message to Michelle Malkin:

"If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or your arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen."
~Samuel Adams

gerryb
01-30-2012, 01:34 PM
Campaign is serious about winning, I have no doubt that we'll be seeing at least 1 reframe before the general!

We would have seen it by now.

Super Tuesday is in 2 months...

If they reframe after that, they are worse than worthless.

dannno
01-30-2012, 01:57 PM
ARe you implying that there is no behavioral profiling for somebody preparing to perform a terrorist act?

If it is done by a private company and I can choose another private company then I have no problem with it.

specsaregood
01-30-2012, 01:58 PM
If it is done by a private company and I can choose another private company then I have no problem with it.

Which IIRC is paul's position since he wants to turn security over to the airlines.

Pericles
01-30-2012, 03:52 PM
How about the underwear bomber? What do you think his behavior was like when he had no passport, and was escorted by a well-dressed man to get on the plane to by-pass security?

How about the MIAC report? Remember who they told law enforcement to profile?

Here's who they are profiling:

Do You Support the Constitution? YOU'RE A TERRORIST SUSPECT!

http://whatreallyhappened.com/IMAGES/FBI-MCSOTerroristFlyer-Back.jpg

Every time I see this, I ROTFLMAO at the photo of the 7th Infantry Division soldier labeled as a terrorist. I had no idea the 7th ID was a terrorist organization. No wonder the Army de-activated the unit.

anaconda
01-30-2012, 04:10 PM
Whatever.



Enjoy 4 more years of Obama.

^This may become the new mantra.

imagine:

Hannity to Doug Wead: "But Reagan Republicans like myself want a police state"

Wead: "Whatever...enjoy 4 more years of Obama..."

donnay
01-30-2012, 04:15 PM
Every time I see this, I ROTFLMAO at the photo of the 7th Infantry Division soldier labeled as a terrorist. I had no idea the 7th ID was a terrorist organization. No wonder the Army de-activated the unit.

If I am not mistaken Lyman L. Lemnitzer (promoter of Operation Northwoods (http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/news/20010430/northwoods.pdf)) commanded 7th Infantry Division during the Korean War?

ONUV
01-30-2012, 06:32 PM
it's insane to endorse the same politican types that failed in the past and expect them to succeed in the future.

moderate libertarian
01-30-2012, 06:37 PM
Malkin is a mouth piece of the most ignorant of the neocons who are more concerned about service foreign parasite welfare states than preserving American liberties, who cares what she thinks.

Did she ever apologize for slandering Ron Paul ahead of 08 race? Until then, she is a douchebag.

HOLLYWOOD
01-30-2012, 06:45 PM
If I am not mistaken Lyman L. Lemnitzer (promoter of Operation Northwoods (http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/news/20010430/northwoods.pdf)) commanded 7th Infantry Division during the Korean War?LOL! Oh, this is Sooooooooooooooo US policy. This is for all the those that try to debunk the conspiracy theories, or tin foil hatters, expecially to all those NEOCONS.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mzcmdr/US_FLASE_FLAGS.png

donnay
01-30-2012, 07:03 PM
LOL! Oh, this is Sooooooooooooooo US policy. This is for all the those that try to debunk the conspiracy theories, or tin foil hatters, expecially to all those NEOCONS.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mzcmdr/US_FLASE_FLAGS.png

It's very true. Everyone ought to read Operation Northwoods at least once, to get a feel of the False Flags, by factions within our government were preparing as a pretext for war!!

AGRP
01-30-2012, 07:23 PM
Why are we supposed to care about what Malkin thinks says?

CaptainAmerica
01-30-2012, 07:29 PM
Malkin is a tool,she always has been.

Pericles
01-30-2012, 08:08 PM
If I am not mistaken Lyman L. Lemnitzer (promoter of Operation Northwoods (http://www.gwu.edu/%7Ensarchiv/news/20010430/northwoods.pdf)) commanded 7th Infantry Division during the Korean War?

Correct - he was commander during "Heartbreak Ridge". Quite a character in that he got around into all sorts of secret operations.

lester1/2jr
01-30-2012, 09:22 PM
Why are talk show hosts opinions considered important?

lilymc
01-30-2012, 10:03 PM
Michelle is a little too concerned about enemies foreign and not concerned enough about enemies domestic.

That sums up the problem overall, imo. Too many people (especially the necons) are so focused on other enemies, that they just don't see the bigger threat to all of us. And I don't want to sound like a conspiracy theorist, but that's exactly why the powers-that-be have chosen the "war on terror" as a way to manipulate people....it puts the focus elsewhere, and allows them continue subverting our country from within.

But most of you know this already, I'm preaching to the choir here. ;)

ExPatPaki
01-30-2012, 11:21 PM
they're probably of Middle Eastern descent
they've probably got long hair
maybe a long beard
they'd definitely be dressed differently than us
maybe they speak a different language than we do
imagine they'd be holding a weapon in their hand
they'd also be very passionate about their faith


Hijackers, jihadists etc. do not usually have those, so they can easily blend in.

You could easily profile me as a "jihadist" based on my political views, my lack of religiosity and my love for alcohol and other recreational substances. The 9/11 hijackers had these characteristics as well.

What if it was a white female convert, how would you profile her?

Anti Federalist
01-31-2012, 07:05 AM
Stupid, perhaps.

Rest assured however, there is one thing that government does with clicking, machine like efficiency, and that is kill people and break things.

These "stupid people" will be on your doorstep soon, looking to cut you to ribbons with automatic weapons fire if you so much as flinch.

Ignore that reality at your own peril.


I love that report.

It's... so... stupid.


Really, the people we entrust with extensive authority to protect us are, by and large, stupid.

"Weapons of Mass Destruction" ........reeeeeeeeaaall? Really? They have to define that? Really? To what end? So a cop stumbles upon, a, umm, ahh, a nuclear bomb. He then recalls his MIAC training: "HEY! NUCLEAR! BOMB! This is a... what do they call it... a nuclear bomb! People who have these are dangerous!"

Really? They really need to train to that?

Feeding the Abscess
01-31-2012, 11:53 AM
Rand spoke about arresting and deporting people who attend speeches by dangerous people.

Ron has spoken about protecting those people in recent speeches.

In asking him to sound like Rand on foreign and domestic policing policy, you aren't asking him to reframe his message. You're asking him to change it wholesale.

jmdrake
01-31-2012, 02:17 PM
Michelle Malkin just endorsed Santorum (http://michellemalkin.com/2012/01/30/for-santorum/). Here's what she wrote about Ron Paul:



Her site doesn't allow comments from people who aren't already registered.

Before the thread gets filled up with vintage Malkin YouToobs from the kiddies, I just want to point out that this illustrates the need for Ron Paul to reframe his message.

Let the hate spew commence.

At some point Ron Paul has to move beyond blowback because it's not working at an emotional level.

See: http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?356200-Michael-Scheuer-on-quot-Inside-9-11-quot


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTtoHx-ia8A&feature=player_embedded

Note that Malkin herself got on the "Able Danger" bandwaggon...until she and other neonuts realize that it made Bush look just as bad as it made Clinton.

http://michellemalkin.com/2005/09/21/able-danger-the-saga-continues/

ONUV
02-06-2012, 01:37 AM
ed morrissey couldn't bring himself to even mention Paul in his frothy endorsement


As I wrote earlier, decision time has come to Minnesota, where I live. Unfortunately, I can’t officially participate in that choice, since we have a caucus system rather than a primary — and one cannot cast an absentee vote in a caucus system. I checked twice with my BPOU officials (a BPOU is a “basic political organization unit,” akin to a precinct) and there is no provision for proxy voting. I will be in Washington DC for CPAC and some company meetings when the caucuses take place on Tuesday evening.

Very early in the process, I promised Hot Air readers that I would disclose my choice for President in the primaries when I had fully made up my mind. Just as I did four years ago, I didn’t fully make up my mind until shortly before the caucus. Last time I caucused for Romney; this time, if I had the opportunity, I would caucus for Rick Santorum.

Before I explain that decision, let’s be clear. I could cast a vote happily for Mitt Romney or Newt Gingrich in a general election. Both are massive improvements over the current incumbent, and both have admirable qualities that would reflect well on the GOP once in office — even if those admirable qualities aren’t always on display now. I will enthusiastically support any of those three men should they win the nomination. My focus will be on beating Barack Obama and promoting the conservative agenda, in that order, throughout 2012, and I also believe that any of those three could beat Obama in a general election campaign.

Why Santorum? In my estimation, Santorum is the last consistent conservative standing, and the only one both promoting the conservative agenda and campaigning as a conservative in the race. That doesn’t make Santorum perfect; he lacks the executive experience I’d like to see, and some of his positions in the past and present give me pause. However, compared to the heterodoxies of his competitors in the GOP race, Santorum has a superior record on promoting conservative policies and values.

Even more than that, though, Santorum has demonstrated a level of personal integrity in this race that outshines the rest of the field. Santorum has campaigned with blue-collar Reagan Democrats in mind, pushing for an economic plan that would revitalize manufacturing and small business. He could easily have tipped over into class-warfare populism while Gingrich and Romney bashed each other over their work at Bain and Freddie Mac in order to ingratiate himself with that sector by playing on latent envy. Instead, he defended capitalism and both of his competitors on the campaign trail more effectively than either could defend themselves. In contrast, Romney keeps demonstrating a lack of fluency in conservative politics and philosophy, while Gingrich has conducted a personal, angry campaign that threatens to reinforce every negative stereotype about conservatives, both at times putting themselves and their ambitions above the party they seek to lead.

In the general election, I want to beat Barack Obama and send him into a prosperous retirement with his family. In the primary, I want a party leader who demonstrates the kind of integrity and consistency that only Santorum has shown. He worked hard for my vote, and I only wish I could be in the state to cast it on Tuesday.

Tinnuhana
02-06-2012, 02:00 AM
So whom will she support once Santorum drops out?