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Subscribe to RSSSince the Iowa Straw Poll on Aug. 13, presidential hopeful Rick Santorum has frequently touted the new momentum his fourth-place finish gave his campaign.
Last week his Iowa staff moved into a new office space, announcing in a press release that the location would “better accommodate growing staff and volunteer needs.” The same is true for his New Hampshire team, which has moved into Tim Pawlenty’s old headquarters in the first-in-the-nation primary state.
But the Santorum campaign’s new headquarters in Iowa are actually smaller than the space they moved from. And even after they announced the new office in New Hampshire, a large “TimPawlenty.com” sign still hung from the roof, dwarfing the Santorum yard signs that were plopped in the grass below.
Santorum heads into the fall struggling to compete with his better-funded opponents. And unlike the straw poll, the caucuses will have on the ballot another candidate with plenty of momentum right now, Texas Gov. Rick Perry -- which the latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll shows as the front-runner in the GOP presidential race.
But more so than money or support, the Santorum campaign feels one of its biggest challenges has been getting attention. It’s the reason why September -- with three presidential debates this month – is so important for the former Pennsylvania senator. It is also why his team knows they will have to travel more miles and make more campaign stops than any other candidate.
The debates are one of the few opportunities for Santorum to get in front of a national crowd. Jamie Johnson, Santorum’s Iowa coalitions director, is drawing comparisons to a former candidate who succeeded in Iowa despite being outspent in the Hawkeye State. “If you look at how [former presidential candidate Mike] Huckabee went through the debate process four years ago, you’ll see a pattern that’s similar to how Santorum is doing,” Johnson said. “You keep plodding along and you keep getting hits when you come to the batters box, and people say, ‘You know what, the guy’s solid.’ “
But Huckabee came out of the 2007 straw poll as a solidified top-tier candidate with his second-place finish. And the former Baptist pastor had the important Evangelical voters of Iowa well in hand by the time the caucuses came, with his stiffest competition coming from Mitt Romney, who is Mormon. Santorum, a Catholic who touts his strong social values, faces some of his stiffest competition in Iowa from Protestant candidates like Michele Bachmann and Perry who share many of his staunch social conservative beliefs.
“The problem for him is that everyone from the Republican side sings from the same hymnal,” said Dennis Goldford, a political science professor at Drake University in Des Moines.
Santorum has also feels he has been excluded from opportunities to differentiate his views from his fellow Republican candidates. After the Fox News debate in Ames, Iowa on August 11, he complained about not getting as much time as other candidates, and that the questions directed to him were focused on social issues, not the economy. He felt the same way after the MSNBC/Politico debate, telling Chris Matthews in the spin room, “I just figured I needed to get some airtime somewhere tonight." Santorum’s low polling also left him out of Sen. Jim DeMint’s (R-SC) Palmetto Freedom Forum on Monday, an event five other candidates attended.
So the strategy for his presidential bid going forward will rely on the same heavy travel schedule that allowed him to claim success in the straw poll, according to his Iowa state director Cody Brown. Racking up the miles in early primary states is how Santorum will combat his the lack of attention.
In the weeks leading up to the straw poll, Santorum visited 60 counties in Iowa, holding almost 110 town hall events throughout the state. Brown described “The Ring of Fire” strategy -- an imaginary radius the campaign drew around Ames that extended to the farthest corners of the state where they hoped to draw supporters from.
“Our problem is getting him in front of enough people. It’s not making the sale, it’s making sure we contact enough people so they get to see him, and hear from him,” Brown said. “Obviously his travel schedule becomes a key part of our strategy.”
Since the straw poll, Santorum has been campaigning in New Hampshire and South Carolina and fundraising in his home state of Pennsylvania. Brown makes clear they are running a national campaign. But also acknowledges Santorum will need to finish higher in the caucuses than he did the straw poll to have an impact after Iowa.
It’s why the three full-time staffers who work for Santorum in the Hawkeye state are gearing up for the candidates return, and why members of Santorum’s family are making plans to be in the state most of October.
It’s also why their new headquarters in Iowa, though smaller, has more space for volunteers. “What a campaign like ours needs to do is, we need to leverage our volunteer base -- free labor,” said Brown. “When you have an underfunded campaign, the people who really believe in the senator are the people who will be able to overcome adversity when it happens,” he added.
Though his poll numbers have been low and his impact on the race limited, political observers in Iowa feel Santorum’s brand of retail politics can resonate in a state that places so much value in face time with voters. Tim Albrecht, a Republican strategist and communications director for Gov. Terry Brandstad (R-IA), said both the number of campaign stops and trips to the outer reaches of the state will be rewarded when the caucuses are held on a winter night at beginning of next year.
“Rick Santorum has put together a campaign that actually knows how to compete in Iowa,” said Albrecht.
Still, the presence of Perry and -- now to a lesser extent -- Bachmann, who appeal to the same values voters, stand firmly in the way.
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Is he still running?
Poor fellow - and here I thought he was getting plenty of attention on Google! lol
Maybe it's time for him & the Mrs. to whip up another batch of that famous Santorum jam!
It was such a hit at Tommy's Ham House!
Now, if you want to talk about momentum...
It's good to see President Obama's got his mo-jo back!
Give em hell Mr. President - you've had your hand bit too many times to extend it again!
Maybe someone should tell Rick that people aren't especially interested in what he is selling. He's not a contender, simply a pretender.
Think back.....summer of 2008....Wasilla Village Idiot ....media everywhere....push, push.......then down in flames!
Now, the new darling of the media and Tea People, Slick Rick...new shinny object! All swagger and no substance...
Give 'em Hell Barry!
Looks like world stock markets are giving Barry's big speech the Bronx cheer. Asia and Europe all closed down and the Dow is down nearly 300 ponts and just about to go under 11,000.
Your doin' a heck of a job, Barry.
What a moron.
"U.S. stocks fell sharply and the euro dropped to a seven-month low amid fresh worries about Europe and as investors expressed trepidation that Congress may not pass President Obama's $447 billion jobs plan."
Wanna know who wrote that? Rupert Murdoch's Wall Street Journal did...seems to me they're blaming Congress.
Barry Hussein will soon crack from the strain. Seriously, he might just be the first prez to resign for non-scandal reasons. I see him in two years as either an ambulance chaser or the host of an Oprah-like talk show. Hugging fat, liberal women who gush and tell him " I voted for you and you are so handsome!" Then crying on his shoulder about how they live with their sister and have 23 cats.
The heck with Santorum. I could hardly believe my eyes this morning when I read an OBJECTIVE piece about Sarah Palin in the NYT. A piece that points out several areas where even liberals might find common ground. Glad breakfast was done before reading it, else I made have made quite the mess.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/10/us/10iht-currents10.html?_r=3&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1315569719-RpR5AuX40tZqZl8xOiUg7g
Santorum? Can someone remind me who he is again?
Was he the right bookend or the left bookend at the MSNBC/Politico debate?
Back on the broccoli are ya Mr. Bill? lol
Holy smokes.
I hate to say I told you so, but I did say the market was going down today.
Blame me. Every time I go on vacation it tanks. Bad. Thank god tomorrow is Saturday. :(
Must be all the "clean" living I do - first all of So. Cal lost power yesterday - total nightmare, and now this.
Thank goodness the airport opened this morning. I thought Ms. Spanky was going to cry if we couldn't go.
Anyway - laying over in Phoenix, it's 2 hours ahead where I'm going, so I'm thinking it's time to officially start this vacation with a cocktail.
And of course I'll take a double for two dollars more. Why do they bother asking?
Wanna know who wrote that? Rupert Murdoch's Wall Street Journal did
_____________________________________________________
You know times are desparate for lefty liberals when they start quoting "Rupert Murdoch's Wall Street Journal"
LMAO@U!!!!!
Spanky - how many vacations do you take a year, or in a month? The market was tanking all of last month... were you on vaca in August? LOL! Get back to work would ya? It's hurting Obama's poll numbers...
On second thought.....
Seriously, you'd have laughed off any such quote from the New York Times so I thought it might be nice to give you a quote you're more likely to believe.
...or are the Conservatives no longer going to trust anything ol' Rupert prints?
Hey Noid...
Unless those clowns in Washington cut (by an equal or greater amount) the programs that those tax dollars support, Obama's proposed tax cuts do NOTHING to stimulate job growth, instead driving us deaper into debt! We continue to spend the money on those programs... but now (thanks to Obama's disappointing proposal) we are spending borrowed dollars.
Long story short, we are still going to pay those taxes to cover those programs. But now we pay more for those un-cut programs because we have to pay interest on their cost.
BRILLIANT!
----------------------------------------------------------------
I also find it interesting that last night's rah rah speech offered only pie-in-the-sky thoughts with NO DETAIL. So typical!
As many as I can Brianb.
FYI - the last time we went to Cancun with the couple were are with now was 9/08. You remember what happened then.
I was just reading the LA TImes take on Obama's speech. O my goodness, but when you lose the LA Times, as a libbie you might as well quit.
Ahh, another $15 vodka red bull. MMMMMMM......
Breaking News - Huge power outage on west coast temporally strands Spanky - with no Spanky cash circulating in drooping economy markets immediately feel the effect and tank.
I hope your vacation isn't ruined Spanky, but say is this a bad break or when you left San Diego did you turn the lights out I know how frugal you Tea Party guys can be!
You're right. Let's get all the details out in the speech...make it a 2-hour address...maybe even 3 hours!
Hell, the GOP was already pissed at having to be there in the first damn place...they'd have loved the speech you're suggesting.
As usual the righties aren't even paying attention.
All this carping about "details" is simply blather and misrepresentation.
Today through Monday, Congress is again in recess. It came back from 5 weeks of vacation to convene for a few hours late Wednesday, and shockingly put in a full workday on Thursday. Speaker Boehner's "word" schedule for the House is rather light on work, in fact.
The President told the Members of Congress, in joint session assembled, last night that they'll have the full legislation to begin addressing when they saunter back in from the country club, or wherever Republicans go (maybe the bar at the Willard).
In the meantime, the President is working. He made a road trip to Richmond, today and pitched his plans. Economists agree it would work, too:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44451087/ns/politics-white_house/
What does the right wing offer in response? Well, let's see - oops, no jobs bills at all.
Oh, and by the way, on the topic of the story: Santorum's just whisstling in the wind - or the graveyard. Another one to scratch off the dance card.
Joe,
[Looks like world stock markets are giving Barry's big speech the Bronx cheer.]
joey my boy...guess you're "too sexy for your shirt" to read the WSJ, right?
...you just keep reaching for those stars, mmmKay...
[Dow is down nearly 300 ponts and just about to go under 11,000.]
In case you ahven't noticed, this is serious stuff...things are bad out there. So how about instead of cheering America's troubles, at least show some FAKE remorse...it gives you a little bit more credibility, and it doesn'take you look as ignorant. I can't say the same for Glenn Beck, though. Seems he was cheering the news of no jobs created in August on BPR (Beck Propaganda Radio).
So, how does it feel to be a part of that crowd? ...pretty "cool", huh...
Is that even good Spank?
So now you think it's "serious" Mickey? Think that next time you cast that vote. Obama's got to go.
He just needs a few more Man on Beast moments and he'll be leading the pack of jackals in NO TIME!
Perhaps attention is directly proportional to his charisma/intelligence/'grasp' of the topics/electability?
nahhh,...must just be that lame stream media bias.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Mickey,
Obama's failure (consequences be damned) is the Republican success. Why would they show remorse for their stellar 'winning' strategy?
You keep trying to use anthropomorphism on those who simply are not programmed to 'feel' anything. And, I think you're pissing the pigs off, too.
(Keep Spanking 'em down, though! Don't ever change!)
Gee whiz, that sounds real swell.
Yea ..... sure ...... any one else wonder if their names might be Summers, Goolsbee and Romer?
So big John, you got analyses on that ..... got any brilliant, previously posted pieces by the scholar on how that works when it didn't?
Forgive folks if they're skeptical. The last plan by the messiah cost 2.4 million jobs.
Thank you Doug.
"Lacking momentum, Santorum vies for attention"
Well, he could always bring his dead infant along for the photo-ops...that'll really shake things up, huh...
Well, here's one analysis from Mark Zandi at Moody's...
www.politico.com/news/stories/0911/63069.html
Here's analysis from Dr. Menzie Chinn of the University of Wisconsin...
www.econbrowser.com/archives/2011/09/recovery_or_rep.html
You might read those for a start.
DougPoundsEm:
[So now you think it's "serious" Mickey?]
This became serious waaaay before Obama became president. But it seems the republicans do not see it as such. They, like you, see this as "who is going to win"....nothing more, nothing less. Stop feigning the emotion that you "care" what happens to America and Americans...if you did, you would see through this crap, such as Mitch McConnell going on record, BEFORE Obama's speech:
This is the GOP's definition of "meeting half way"...of "compromise". Well I, for one, am sick and tired of the stonewalling, as well you should be. But you think this is a game..well, that may very well be, but the losers are going to be you and I.
[Obama's got to go.]
Then what? What's the plan, hotshot? Stop bull@!$%#ting everyone and say it:
You'll come here to First Read and "blame Obama" because "the eeeeeevil libruls" blamed Bush.
But you'll still have no answers, right?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So the burden has been placed upon the republicans doorstep, and the bag is lit. Let's see if they stomp it out before knowing what it is, or step over it as if it isn't there.
The bull@!$%# from the GOP has to stop...no more games.
[Think that next time you cast that vote.]
And before you pretend to know who I vote, or voted, for I suggest you not put your foot in your mouth, but step up to the plate and stop toeing the party line and parroting the same sorry talking points as the rest of the Joe in Albany's here.
When it comes to Santorum, I wonder why he ever thought he had a chance to win. Bachmann, Palin, I could see why they might think they had a chance; they both were crowd pleasers but Santorum never moved the breath-o-meter even before he said he was running.
bob ##'s,
[Thank you Doug.]
...you could at least tell him to wipe his chin and brush the dirt off his knees...
little mickey
time to head back to yahoo or whatever little hole you scurried from
Mickey, my dad was a Teamster and my brother a Marine, and you just made me laugh out loud! Some people have no manners or common courtesy, sheesh!
Who's supporting his campaign? Or maybe the bigger question is, how many staff will be left unpaid when he finally packs up and goes home?
Oh, did he have momentum? He was a lousy senator for my state (PA) and always a wack job - good riddance soon. I will actually miss Michele Bachmann, she's really cute and comical. Santorum is whiny and just as clueless.
Next big story on the Stassen campaign? He MUST be running...
What, you wanted them to cover this, instead?
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/obama-officials-sat-solyndra-meetings/t/story?id=14476848
Have to make sure all bases are covered- so not one single document will be available for congress to see during its investigation.
All documents will be unavailable during an "ongoing criminal investigation", that will go nowhere.
After 2012, it will probably gutted dropped- for good reason, in my opinion. Lord knows, we don't need new administrations investigating old ones, but. . .
When it comes to corruption, Obama is certainly no Jimmy Carter.
HoJoBloMo:
[What, you wanted them to cover this (Solyndra), instead?]
It is being covered...you're not bothering to look past your ignorance. But that's OK...at least you're not disappointing anyone.
What can we do to raise $
Mortgage the Capital building. It's not much good for anything these days anyway.
I'll pay him to drop out...
Auction off the GOPTP's Congressional office furniture; maybe if they had to stand up and write on clip boards, they'd quit playing games with America's economy.
Maybe Santorum can find a couple hundred people to execute. Maybe that'll get him some attention. Conservatives just eat that stuff up!
Santorum never looked like someone running for president. His facial expression shows he tries to hard but still unconvincing in his messaging. Maybe if he puts in more efforts to refining his napkin or paper towel analogy skills, who knows.
You Betcha!
Actually, Perry hasn't executed ANYBODY. That's liberal dumbspeak that translates into "234 of Texas' most vicious criminals committed crimes so heinous that they got themselves executed while Perry happened to be Governor". That's how REAL America sees it.
It takes balls to execute a innocent man;
The Nation --
Damage -- I am real America, as real as you are, and what I saw was appalling. A crowd of well-dressed, well-fed people was applauding the mention of the fact that 234 people were killed....they were applauding BEFORE Gov. Perry even answered the question.... even though there have been numerous studies and specific instances of people being executed for crimes they did not commit and where evidence in the accused person's favor has not been allowed to be presented in court.
The debate audience's reaction to Texas executions was noteworthy, but in retrospect what pushed noteworthy to disturbing was the silence that greeted my man Mr. Huntsman's "can't ignore science" comment.
I noticed the same thing Mark...
I really wish Huntsman would gain some traction...
He's the only candidate who makes a lick of sense!
"Medical experts".....Ho-hum. Yet more liberal dumbspeak. Names, please. Evidence of innocence , please. Until then, stop defending animalistic murderers in the same way you people defend terrorists. Give me the name of ONE person who has been executed and later proven innocent. Til' you can do that, any BS you throw up (especially from The Nation) is crap. All designed to hurt Perry because you fear him.
Kate--I'll tell you what I told the other one; give me some names. C'mon. Give me the names of the people who were executed but were PROVEN innocent. I want to look into it.
Of course people cheer and applaud the idea of vicious murderers getting what they deserved! People like me have families, children etc... and we worry that some horrible day they will be victimized by one of these worthless scumbags, so it is normal to be relieved and cheerful when one of them is sent straight to hell. You and other liberals however, spend your time wringing your hands over said scumbags. Luckily, my kind are in the majority and our streets are safer as a result and no liberal politician has the balls to ever come out against the death penalty when running for prez.
Texas leads the Nation in wrongful convictions...and probably wrongful executions!
Texas has to compensate each one of these folk!.....Although many may not have been incarcerated on Slick Ricks watch......some certainly were!
http://wrongful-convictions.blogspot.com/2009/10/texas-and-innocence.html
I wonder if you Liberals would react differently if it's alright to Abort 115,000 babies per year? Just throwing that out there. I don't recall that being asked to the Democratic field in 2008.
Let's see, you cry for convicted murderers, but cool with killing babies? Kind of ironic, but before you Liberials put your pannies in a bunch, I'm pro-choice, but I find it funny that you people defend murderers.
Chilled,
Is probably mean fact to you?
@Paul
Chilled, Is probably mean fact to you?
What? ...that comment is just like the rest of your post...nonsense!
Democrats believe that it is a government over reach to dictate and control a womans 'private parts'.....so stop with the red hot 'baby killing' comment! Abortion is LEGAL!
As for convicted murderers, only those wrongfully convicted.......How about unindicted murderers a la Bush/Cheney?
Perry commits and the applause received after his death penalty commits reminded me of the old news reels with Hitler making his speeches to the Nazi's.
Perry and his followers are class A NUT JOBS.
Chilled, your logic is flawed, as the death penalty is, also, legal.
I oppose both the death penalty and abortion. I do not argue that either is against the law- just that, in my judgment, both are morally wrong.
I find it inconceivable that anyone could support one, but condemn the other- but that is simply my personal judgment.
This election is going to be about the economy.
Obama is going to lose.
Every other issue is extraneous.
Chilled,
Did you read what I wrote? I'm pro-choice, do you understand what that means? I raised the question because State executions are LEGAL in Texas.
How would you feel if that abortion question was brought up to a Democratic field? You don't have an answer because it would never be brought up.
Name a wrongfully convicted person that was put to death?
What about Bush/Cheney? You mean the Wars? If you are than I'm a murderer and you can throw Obama/Bidin in there too, we are still at war. If you don't mean the wars, what are you referring too?
If Slick Rick and his followers had to administer/pull the switch on the lethal injection, they wouldn't be so gung-ho!
They are the ones in the Roman Coliseums cheering for the lions!
Poor Paul has been hitting the Corona's a wee bit early...
Hey Paul - you gonna accuse anyone of plagiarism today?
It worked out SO well for you yesterday! lol
Hey Feisty...
Maybe you should invite those 'innocent' men over to your house to stay for awhile... I would just LOVE to see that!
(what a dolt!)
------------------------------------------------------------
BTW... kate...
if you had ANY brain at all you would understand that those people were applauding the fact that justice was carried out... and that the families of those victims got closure!
I pray that you NEVER have to feel the pain of a loved one falling victim to a violent crime!
No Jo,
Like I said, I'm pro-choice, it's the woman's decision, not anybody elses. I do support the Death Penalty, an "eye for an eye" thing with me.
About the speech, do people really believe that Obama said "pass the bill" 17 times NOW and then he will tell the American people what's in it later? I would like to know what's in it. Just Obama's comments is suspect enough not to believe him. Didn't someone else say "you must pass the bill before you know what's in it"?
@Paul
State executions are LEGAL in Texas.....as you say....and any probability of innocence was completely ignored/disregarded by Slick Rick in the case of Todd Willingham! Look it up!
....Abortions are equally LEGAL!....
.........by any chance were you on the Casey Anthony jury?......yikes
Feisty,
Accuse? No didn't see any today, Saw a couple yesterday, I guess calling someone out bothered you eh? Sad thing is that I looked up what those two wrote and one copied and pasted multiple segments word for word from different blogs, so yeah, I have no problem calling someone out.
So, what do you think if a Democrat was asked such a stupid question like abortion, like Perry was asked about the death penalty? Stupid is stupid, had nothing to do with that is going on in the country.
Speaking on nonsense of my posts, Job1 as some real good ones you support eh?
Personally, I think he is tired of old flabby-arms Michelle and hot for Nasty Pelosi. He is obviously trying to win her favor ;-)
Then you won't have any problem sharing the links with us?
Otherwise, you'll be elevated to the NJ nut job pant's on fire status...
Yeah - I guess you could say I'm bothered by serial liars...
Sorry, Chilled, didn't watch the Anthony trail, little too busy for such drama. Seems like she got off right? You must be pretty happy with that because I heard they wanted to give her the death penalty. Kind of strange that 12 peers said not quilty, but you say "yikes" and this makes sense how?
Todd Willingham, just read it and the word that appears to me is "allegations", so in Chilled's diffention that would mean "maybe" I'm assuming? Yeah I can see that.
You know Feisty, I might just do that tonight. Let's just say when I find these blogs and post them, what will your comment be? Will you call out your buddy? Will you condone what she did? I won't waste my time. What do you say?
You forgot these too?
So, what do you think if a Democrat was asked such a stupid question like abortion, like Perry was asked about the death penalty? Stupid is stupid, had nothing to do with that is going on in the country.
Speaking on nonsense of my posts, Job1 as some real good ones you support eh?
Sick,
I think Obama would get more support if he wasn't secretive with this plan. What's in it? Not worried how he's going to pay for it, he will just ask China for more money, that's not a secret.
Why can't you do it NOW Paul?
I mean according to YOU, you've already looked them up - a quick search of your Google history & you'll have them at your fingertips...
Come on be a sport and prove your bull@!$%# will ya?
Or should I be polishing your liar liar pants on fire trophy?
Ya know I can tolerate the name calling and such on this blog, BUT, the one thing I cannot tolerate is deliberate deception!
@Paul
You stay where you are and keep distorting and cheering for the lions!
...Unlike my very patient President, I tire of trying to understand/reason with the unreasonable.
I remain a Lefty Liberal!....Give 'em hell Barry!
Easy Sunshine, I'm heading out the door and it was on my laptop at home. Once you answered my question that you will call out your buddy? I'm thinking you won't be able to do so, no deception here, you have me confused with some of your buds.
You can rant and rant and call me whatever you like, but I'm just waiting for you to answer my question. It's not a hard one neither. I'll check later tonight. Have a great day feisty!!
Oh!
So now it's conditional - why am I not suprised?
You either have them or you don't & now we ALL know the answer!
Anywho - here's your trophy - you've earned it! ;o)
It's a shame, I used to have a certain degree of respect for you...
Oh Well live & learn!
Feisty, so you can tolerate the name calling? So when I point out your religious bigotry, explain to me how you tolerated that and proved me wrong?
Wow. Sorry I left this discussion early. I see it's the same old crap. Liberals will scratch and claw and fight for the rights and lives of animalistic criminals while fighting for the right to KILL innocent babies. They see no difference between the two. I need this reminder occasionally as to why liberals make me wanna friggin' puke.
Make sure you're laying down...
Damage, REAL Americans do not execute people whose convictions are questionable. A REAL American, would have authorized a stay of execution until the case was properly reviewed; by covering up and squashing the investigation that might prove the man innocent, Perry proves he is not worthy to be Governor let alone President.
Speaking only for myself, my problem is that Wednesday night, Governor Perry and his supporters wore that number...234 executions...as a badge of honor.
Why? What is there to be proud of when it comes to that number?
I notice you continually use the phrase "animalistic criminals" to justify the executions. That is just sad. Now, I will acknowledge that capital punishment is legal in Texas and that those who were executed were found guilty by a jury of their peers. However, you can not change the fact that those who were executed were still human beings no matter how hard you try to dehumanize them.
Stop for a moment and please also think...does that man lying on a table awaiting his lethal injection have a mother who loves him? Can you look that woman in the eyes and with a clear conscience tell her that her son deserves to die?
Look, I'm not going to deny that there are cases where the convicted deserves to die. It would be naive of me to suggest otherwise. However, I would suggest that those who cheer 234 executions...even 1 execution...need to check themselves.
Since you want to compare and contrast capital punishment with abortion, let me throw this question at you...
Do you think that pro-choice advocates take pride in seeing the CDC report that from 1973-2008 there were approximately 50 million abortions performed?
For me personally, no, I'm not proud of that number. I would certainly love to see a number that is much smaller than that. I doubt you'll find any pro-choice advocate who takes pride in that number. It's sad.
...and, no, we are not advocating killing babies. That's ridiculous. So, what are we advocating?
Simple...banning abortions *IS* "Big Government". Opponents of Health Care Reform railed about their concerns that the government would be getting between doctors and their patients. How is that any different that the government telling a woman that she must give birth?
Again, speaking only for myself, if I were ever faced with the choice, I would advocate for not getting an abortion. There are alternatives, most notably adoption. My personal choice, however, is meaningless because as a man I will never be pregnant.
...and there's the rub...who am I to impose my morals on anyone else? It's all well and good that I can advocate for adoption but I'm never going to be the one who is sitting with an Ob/Gyn making the ultimate decision. How can I make the decision for someone else?
The answer is that I can't. If you are pregnant and you get an abortion that's your choice and it is up to you to face the moral repercussions of your choice.
Well Rick maybe a presidential run was too much too soon why don't you start smaller and work your way up, start with say, sidewalk inspector, or dog catcher, and work up to the whole POTUS thing.
Great idea! Is Dog Catcher what you graduate to after your finished being a "community organizer?"
If you want to bury America, then elect Rick Perry. In your guts you know he is nuts.
Job1
Just so you know, I'm stealing your line.
Elect Rick Perry. In your guts you know he is nuts.
Yeah well sometimes you feel like a nut sometimes you don't I don't like the mounds either Rick is selling.
"Lacking Momentum, Santorum Vies For Attention"
Pretty much sums up his campaign since it started. Except for the part where he's also lacking supporters, money, positions that appeal to anyone this side of Fred Phelps and the Westboro Baptist gang, any kind of record to brag about, charisma, and even a remote grasp of the political realities.
At this point, the Houston Astros have more "momentum". And I've got a better chance of winning the GOP nomination.
In a unrelated story, Ford Motors is wondering if ayone might be interested in buying an Edsel.
The Edsel has been vindicated! Ford sold way more Edsels, than Obama's GM "Chevy Volt" ever will.
...and the Edsel was not subsidized by tens of billions in taxpayer dollars...and didnt have a 7 thousand dollar taxpayer funded rebate...
The "Obama" is the new term for failure
The Edsel has been vindicated! Ford sold way more Edsels, than Obama's GM "Chevy Volt" ever will.
You know Bob every domestic and foreign car manufacturer you ever heard of and a few you never heard of will have at least one electric vehicle on the US market by 2013 or sooner, Ford claims it will have three different choices, so you think they might know something you don't. As far as the rebates let me put that in perspective for you, if you took the 4 billion in subsidies to the oil industry and divided it by $7,000 you could offer the rebate on 571,428 chevy volts, what do you think would be a more beneficial use of that money for the American people and the economy and our dependence on foreign oil.
Forrest Grump 2.0
Leading with your chin dept.;
It would appear that based on recent history, you are correct; The Senate seems to be poor preparation for the Presidency.
Oh I don't know Dangerfield I just watched republicans get their political heads handed to them by a community organizer last night.
There are several components to be considered one is experience and two others are drive and talent, Rick is well short on the later two.
I agree with you completely...about Santorum...and with your basic premise.
We both know that you implied that being a senator wasn't ENOUGH prep for the presidency...
Your other claim is extremely premature, highly subjective, and at this point not at all confirmed by any event, or even universal approval by his own base of supporters.
No not at all, it is not that simple while both were senators one progressed amazingly fast, to fast you would probably say, but had he not ran for Prez I think he would still be a senator, I can't prove that but I believe it is a reasonable assumption for a guy with his political and fund raising abilities. Rick was a one and done senator, he kind of flunked out of the senate.
Oh yes my other claim is subjective nothing can be scored until 2012. Here is my thinking Congress is at an all time low, traditional republican districts flipped, republicans lost recalls, the Ryan Plan sailed like a submarine with screen doors, town halls have been unpleasant, republican elected representatives have signed pledges to a single man, nobody gasped when Hoffa spoke they cheered, there is a mood out there and it is turning into a bad mood that repubs had better squat or get off the pot, lots of people want action, and the solution republicans have offered is to cut taxes for everybody but them, and cancel their medicare and SS. I'm taking the bet that the vast majority of voters feel that plan is just not working for them. I think average Joe feels that everybody got bailed out at his expense but him, now when he says I need help he is told sorry you know we had to borrow all that money and it would not be responsible to borrow any more for you, you are so SOL we are going to have to take back what little you have left. People need a better solution than that, I think they will try and find one. But what the hell do I know your right in the end right now it is just my opinion, and I am fine with borrowing more if it is spent here on things we need, for the people who need it, so I might be a little biased.
MSNBC, why do you say "Huckabee came out of the 2007 straw poll as a solidified top-tier candidate with his second-place finish" but you journalist guys don't give any respect to Ron Paul who came in second-place this year? Compared to Ron Paul, all these other so-called "conservatives" are fakers. Just like G. W. Bush.
Steve-- You're right about George W. being a faker though I would replace the (a) with a (uc).
I hope President Obama will be throwing punches like last night right up until election day.
Santorum would receive more attention if he dressed as Shirley Temple and sang "Animal Crackers".
Rick, join the fallen.....Huckabee, Pawlenty, Gingrich, Cain, Bachmann, Palin. The publishers haven't offered him a book deal yet...or have they?
Please, bring on Iowa and New Hampshire quickly so we can be rid of this campaign based on intolerance, and the national stage be spared further hate and bile spewed by this bigoted monster of Santorum who disgraces the name of the God he claims to honor.
That photo of our President going up the gangway to board his plane gave me a warm feeling.
The fat guy behind him holding the umbrella over him is exactly like those pictures we used to see of African despots walking with the minion holding that umbrella.
No umbrella needed if Michelle had walked in front of him.
Poor Rick. He got kicked out of the Senate, and now he can't get elected Republican in Chief. He's been mouthing all the right words (Gays, Guns, God), and still can't get anywhere.
I have a remedy for ya' Rickey. How about telling us what you would do to bring a stable base for economic growth in the country. What you would do to make sure it was not cheaper to make someting 10,000 miles away and ship it here, and what you would do to elevate America's youth to stand alongside their peers from other countries. How you would focus Americans on being Americans, helping each other, so that we are all elevated.
Then I'll listen. You won't get elected Republican in Chief, but you'll add some value to the marketplace of ideas. You're running the 2000 campaign. We've moved on.
Regards.
The American people are in trouble with jobs and healthcare at the top of the list.
A house divided against itself can not stand.
Is the United States doomed?
He felt the same way after the MSNBC/Politico debate, telling Chris Matthews in the spin room, “I just figured I needed to get some airtime somewhere tonight."
Yes, any sane Republican must be desperate to appear with the tingly Chris Moonbat Matthews on the official 'in the tank for Obama' network, MSLSD...
Obama speaks and stock market TANKS again --- thanks Obama
All that Jesus worshippers in the audience at Simi Valley the other night roared with glee when the issue of all of those dead folk executed in Texas was brought up.
WWJD???
To become a dead folk in Texas at the hands of the state means you did something heinous to others which deprived them of their life and future. Something which demands justice.
WWJD? Really? He would give them an opportunity to repent their sin and let the state exact justice.
"render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's....." and all that.
@ Sheila, no different than all the cheering by the libs when Osama was killed. Either you believe in the death penalty for guilty people all the time or you don't. Anything in between is being a hypocrite.
Jesus worshippers? What purpose did it serve for making any sort of religious bigotry comment? Would you say anything like "Did you see all those homos cheer for approving gay marriage?" Would you criticize a gay person for living their sexuality on their sleeve? If you find comments regarding sexuality, gender or race reprehensible, you should find comments regarding religion the same.
Amen Kirk. Hypocrite tag strikes again.
Yeah but its a tag they really hate so much they put me on ignore so they dont have to hear it so they can continue to live their hypocrisy.
ahh Kirk, I call BS on that one. When one is campaigning with the Lord and Saviour in their 'sidecar',...one cannot simply walk back their positions, as defined by their faith (which they've already highlighted as their reason for running or believing or being 'called upon') and then conveniently cry foul when they behave in an equally UN Christ like way.
Sorry; but that will cost you a couple of credibility points for even trying to defend it.
ksw, really, libs CHEERED? I must have missed that footage; but then again, libs aren't a monolithic group. Many are gun totin', bible thumpin', arugula eatin' people. Of course, neither you nor Kirk see any equivalency of a GAY campaign strategy or a Christian campaign strategy. Since neither should have any bearing on governance.
But, boy, howdy, if we can make it seem all scary and foreign; well ding ding ding - then we have ourselves a WINNER of a strategy!
G-d is no more in front of YOUR political party than he is in front of MY political party. And you won't see me saying otherwise. I can't really say the same for YOUR candidates, though, now can I?
Remember, Kirk. It's not a politician wearing his religion on his sleeve that bothers the liberals. It's wearing his CHRISTIANITY on his sleeve. If there were a Democrat muslim running for prez right now the libs would be screeching loudly that his "religion should not matter" and that anybody who tries to make it an issue is a "bigot."
Clara, I am not one of those religious people you can label but I find the religious distinction you are making to be inconsistent. I am pro choice pro gay marriage so I dont agree with fundamental christian political positions. I agree that politicians shouldnt force their specific religion into government such as mandating attending worship services, putting up 10 commandments in government offices things like that. However, there is absolutely nothing wrong with wearing your religion on your sleeve or letting it frame how you feel on various political positions. Just as there is nothing wrong with being gay and for that reason it frames your views on marriage, adoption etc. If you dont agree with a particular view that is framed by a politicians religious beliefs such as pro life and that position makes a voting difference for you then dont vote for that candidate. But there are plenty of non religious people who are pro life or anti gay marriage. We dont make fun of catholics for being pro life. If you grew up on a farm, you might feel very strongly about certain environmental issues that would be different than an urban dweller. All our life experiences and educational experiences help frame the political positions we take.
I personally dont like Bachmann's use of God just as I think its ridiculous when Kanye West thanks God for his grammy or Tim Tebow thanks god for his Heisman as these guys must worship an awfully mean god that spends his time disappointing everyone else who didnt win because of God. However, I dont personally attack them or practice any sort of bigotry for their beliefs. The progressives on this board like Fiesty who have made absolutely reprehensible comments regarding bible thumpers (as if believing in the bible is somewhat nut job view) when she would be the first person to defend orthodox Jews, Koran following muslims etc. To me if you dont agree with Perry's view on some social issue, then dont vote for him but leave Christianity out of it. By the way neither her or her followers have been able to point to a Perry platform position that is inappropriate because he prays.
Clara spare me your pious BS about libs not cheering when Bin Laden was killed. Just go back and look at any story regarding his demise. I don't recall many if any lib comment that we should have captured him and given him life without parole. Whether it was capture in print or captured via audio it was still cheering. It is also a favorite line item in the what has President Obama accomplished. My point to Sheila is that you are a hypocrite if you say it was ok to kill Bin Laden but don't think the death penalty for the guilty is ok.
x
Santorum? Santorum? Oh yeah, he took over the Pawlenty role on the campaign trail.
Who is Santorem?
dear rick
pack it in and go home !!! pawlenty is waiting for you !!!