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Subscribe to RSSCOLUMBUS, Ohio -- As Mitt Romney spent Saturday in Salt Lake City celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the Winter Olympics held there, his chief rival in the Republican presidential race is claiming the games are an example of the former Massachusetts governor's hypocrisy.
Stumping in Ohio, Rick Santorum defended himself against Romney's portrayal of the former Pennsylvania senator as a wasteful spender.
It's an attack Romney has repeated on the campaign trail and that a pro-Romney super PAC has made into a TV ad running in Michigan, Ohio and Arizona. The focus is on Santorum's record on earmarks; the ad contends he called for projects that counter the fiscal conservative record he touts on the trail.
But it is the 2002 Olympic Games that Romney gets credit in helping rescue that shows the hypocrisy of the attacks, Santorum said Saturday.
"That tells you that all of these scurrilous attacks — Mitt Romney saying, 'Oh well, Rick Santorum voted for earmarks and promoted earmarks.' What he doesn’t tell you is one of Mitt Romney's greatest accomplishments, one of the things he talks about most is how he heroically showed up on the scene and bailed out and resolved the problems of the Salt Lake City Olympic Games," said Santorum.
"He heroically bailed out the Salt Lake City Olympic Games by heroically going to Congress and asking them for tens of millions of dollars to bail out the Salt Lake games -- in an earmark, in an earmark for the Salt Lake Olympic Games."
Santorum continued, "And now Gov. Romney is suggesting, 'Oh, Rick Santorum earmarked' as he requested almost half a billion dollars in earmarks as governor of Massachusetts to his federal congressmen and senators. Does the word hypocrisy come to mind?"
The Romney campaign was quick to refute the claim. Campaign spokesperson Andea Saul e-mailed reporters, "Sometimes when you shoot from the hip, you end up shooting yourself in the foot. There is a pretty wide gulf between seeking money for post-9/11 security at the Olympics and seeking earmarks for polar bear exhibits at the Pittsburgh Zoo. Mitt Romney wants to ban earmarks, Senator Santorum wants more ‘Bridges to Nowhere.’”
Being attacked on his spending record is not new for the candidate now considered a front-runner in the nomination contest. It was Rick Perry who originally rolled out the attack in Iowa, citing projects like an indoor rainforest and the 'Bridge to Nowhere' in Alaska as proof that Santorum is a Washington insider who did not practice the fiscal conservatism he now preaches. But the attack did not gain much traction, and Santorum went on to win the Iowa caucus.
His defense has always been that — as a member of Congress — Santorum had the power of the purse, and earmarks were at one time a helpful resource.
"So lets just not condemn all...there was abuse, and we stopped it. But the idea that every earmark is a bad one is simply false," he said.
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Did anyone notice the clothes that Romney wore in Michigan, trying to look like a white collar worker. I wonder if he writes his wardrobe off on his taxes as a business expense?
This is a non issue. Truly, which ever way this resolves, will it make any one's life better? Its the economy stupid... directed at both parties.
I'm really, really tired of all this "I'm bad but he's worse". How about a little of "He's good but I'm better". Then explain in what ways you're better.
Hmmm. I guess politicians can't do that. .... I wonder why?
For the first time in my life I feel very insecure about the future of my country. Instead of trying to pull this country together, The political candidates are undermining the confidence people have, In selecting a new leader, from the self serving group which the GOP has offered.
We deserve BETTER. MUCH BETTER.
It's like the pot calling the kettle black.....
So was it the GOP that was responsible for the military orders that ultimately led to the demise of two of the worlds worst terrorists, Bin Laden and Ghadafi? I don't know about anyone else but I remember 9-11 and Lockerbie and and now sleep a little better knowing their respective masterminds are permanently sleeping, thanks to the courage of President Obama.
For some reason this was posted to the wrong article... Sorry. Should have been the article where Santorum claims the world is less safe with Obama in charge...
Wait! Dick Cheney and his protege Liz says we got Bin Laden and others due to his waterboarding even though the general in charge said No.
"...there was abuse, and we stopped it. But the idea that every earmark is a bad one is simply false," he said.
Did Santorum just claim that abusive earmarks have been stopped? That's news to me. When did that happen? And who is "we"? How did Santorum help stop earmarks while out of office for the past 5 years or so? If the current record deficit spending is a result of stopping earmarks, then what is deficit spending going to be like after Santorum gets elected and he starts applying more fixes to our spending problem?
C'mon Lou!!! How's a politician supposed to get elected if you ask intelligent questions like that.
I like this quote better; from 2009:
“I’m not saying necessarily earmarks are bad. I have had a lot of earmarks,” said Santorum. “In fact, I’m very proud of all the earmarks I’ve put in bills. I’ll defend earmarks.”
Obammy Davis Jr. That must be racist!
Oh yeah sorry i
These clowns really mental...
Both are dirtbags and for some reason they think now one knows it?
Guess they both think everyone watches Dumb FUX news and believes the garbage they sell.
Hell I bet Romoney and Insaneatourm believe their own garbage as reality...
Yep , the focus on the positive, jobs are our "#1 priority" , balance the budget GOP candidates are certainly keeping their campaign promises.
It leads me to wonder what other promises are in jeopardy.
Political cartoon from 2008, right after the crash!
GOP faces voters...
GOP: We are against abortion and gay marriage!
Voters: What about jobs? We need jobs!
GOP: We are against abortion and gay marriage!
Every current and past member of the Congress, are culpable with earmarks to shower their constituencies back home. Romney was using every method allowed at his disposal to complete his task of the Olympics. Further, that's past history! It's over and done with, so let's talk about the incompetence and inability of the current 112th Congress to accomplish the jobs production they said they'd generate in the 2010 election. Where are the jobs? Where are all the jobs the freshmen promised when they ran in the 2010 election?
Religious extremists Rick Scumtorum is dumber than a box of rocks. Rick is a weird person that said - ( "RAPE VICTIMS SHOULD THINK OF THE BABIES CONCEIVED DURING THEIR ASSAULT AS GIFTS FROM GOD" ) We don't need this kind of garbage in the White House, wake up people ?
Let's see what fits best here: Kettle calling the skillet black, Takes one to know one, or just one big HYPOCRITE. I will go with hypocrite. I can't wait until after the convention when they all start slobbering over the candidate and saying how wonderful he is. Talk about hypocricy."I think you are great, I never meant those things I said, now appoint me to a cushy federal leadership role, pretty please".
It appears that Santorum is vying for the greatest political mudslinger of all time award. All he does is sling mud at all his present and possible future political opponents. It's a rare occasion when he actually mentions anything he is going to do if by the astronomically almost impossible chance he gets into office. He's nothing more than a big mouth hoping to get votes by putting his opponents down.
Apparently you haven't been to Rick's website. He has lots of specific ideas (forget for the moment that most of material reads like a Miss America acceptance speech). But to pull any of it off he better hope he has a whole new Congress in place in January 2013...because the current one couldn't find their own arse with a guide, a flashlight and GPS tracking.
He has lots of specific ideas (forget for the moment that most of material reads like a Miss America acceptance speech).
Well, doesn't that just put it all in perspective? LOL!
Since you had to start with the race issue, I have voted for several black candidates and plan to do so again whenever I have the opportunity, when I like their values and words. I listen to the words, and I listen for heart values. I am not looking at the hue of the skin, sir. I heard arrogance, and socialistic values and goals in the words of BO enough times to never consider voting for him.
His wife made it clear numerous times that she truly does not like the US. She has now been well-groomed to clean up her verbal act, and has been excessively glamorized to make her more palatable, but I do not regard her as sufficiently intelligent, experienced, or dignified enough to be where she now is. This has been covered up energetically by the press for years now. Both of them have been given far more chances to explain away their verbal mis-steps than any others I have seen on the American political stage. The double standard has been glaring. It's truly tiresome, as these numerous second chances are not given to many other deserving people who have worked harder and have much courage. So you see, I can't wait until BO and ilk are long gone. I have the right to say so, just as you have the right to beat the drum all you want to for them.
Bonnie. Show us you proof that the First Lady doesn't like the US. Where and when did she say this and in what context? Heck, there are times I don't like the US either. Second, she's Princeton Grad with good grades to back it up. Where did you go to school?
It's talking out of your butt like above that makes people like you so stupid.
I agree: sources please!
Otherwise it didn't happen! Shut up!
The constitution allows for an "individual's" right to religious freedom. Our non-secular goverment must enforce laws in a non-secular manner.
say yeaaaus! let the Lord provide and strike dead all Liberals sayith the Lord God Santorum. Who died and left Santorum to decide the morals of mankind>
I think the GOP Elephant has been shot in the foot, clubbed to death, & buried by it's own Republican nitwits - maybe they should all call it a day & go back to their multi-million $$$ lobbying gigs (this ain't gettin them in the White House in this century, or next for that matter). Who's going to risk their pension by putting another Republican nut in office.
Who does this sactimonious twit think he is? His Catholic theology, flawed as it is, is not the only theology in the world. All of the intelligent people who don't buy into it are not phony nor is their theology. If one really examined the Catholic and Mormon theologies, they would see how warped both are and how they have warped theircandidates' thinking. Sanctorum sounds like a spoiled brat . He has serious problems liking or respecting President Obama. That part is fine. What is not fine is Santorun's inability to do anything but bash President Obama personally with lies. It is,I believe, a smoke screen because the guy's real ideas are so radical they would shake up the few followers that he has. People who support him ought to be more intellectual and ask pertinent questions. What's behind the Obama hatred and lies? Why does he feel his brand of theology is better than the President's or anyone who is not Catholic? When specifically did the President ever openly advocate or support abortion other than stating that Roe v Wade does allow it? Try noticing just how racist Sanctorum can sound . Thererin is his problem and that will not improve the quality of life for ALL Americans. No person who lies like Santorum does should be trusted.
So the overt racist/woman hater and ahead of the anti-christ in the polls. Obama is very happy and is probably dancing a jig.
I've read several posts questioning the validity of Fox News. I agree, more or less, and even though I'm obviously reading and commenting on an MSNBC site, I try to always remember that a lot of what I read here are opinions. Just like Fox News. I watched a really good interview of Bill Moyers who was lamenting that so many people think that opinion pieces somehow equate to journalism. They don't - in fact they are the very opposite. People who listen to Fox News or Rachael Maddow are ALL listening to someone preach to the choir with their own spin on the matter. Just because your ears were tickled, doesn't mean you know the whole story. This is the problem with this country. We've taken a few push-button issues and now have both sides screaming at each other while solving NOTHING. Both sides have chosen their way or the highway, forgetting that a house divided cannot stand. It will call come crumbling down and no one, on either side, will have found peace and any "winner" will be facing a pyrrhic victory at best. This is a tragedy.
Wow. An earmarker calling an earmarker an earmarker! Now that's funny!
The Republican Party will have to apply for Obamacare if they keep shooting themselves in the foot like this.
When the federal government was created, those who risked their lives and their fortunes and their scared honors to secede from England were angered at recent events. The government did not come into existence in a vacuum. Rather, those who led the Revolutionary War joined those who fought and financed it to create a central government that would be constitutionally INCAPABLE of doing to Americans what King George III and Parliament did to the colonists.
The king controlled many personal freedoms of his 'subjects'. Among them were, their religion and the right to keep their income, along with their freedom of speech, and their right to be left alone.
The reason that religious rights and property rights were so important to our nation's Founders is simple: They had been aggressively assaulted time after time by the British government; most of it had to do with money.
The king and Parliament imposed a tax on the colonists to support the king’s church in England. And the king and Parliament imposed an obligation on the colonists to purchase the king’s stamps and to affix them to all papers in their possession in America. The Stamp Act led to the invasion of the colonists’ homes by British soldiers without warrants, supposedly looking for the stamps. Both of these taxes inspired the Revolution. These taxes led to a firm determination on the part of those who wrote the Constitution to craft a document that would assure the new nation's citizenry that any new government would be constitutionally incapable of similar behavior.
How well have the Founders’ hopes and constitutional craftsmanship worked out for our new nation?
Not as well as they would have hoped. The federal government, through its career politicians, tax us much more than ever envisioned by the Founders in order to give 'our' money to folks who will vote for them.
These greedy politicians are NOW even 'fining' churches who choose NOT to violate their core teachings on contraception. This is not an inconsequential issue. Nor is just about contraception. Once again, just like the king of England, the churches of all colonists are being taxed to support the beliefs of the specific church of those politicians in charge .. whatever church that may be.
Did you know that those Americans who depend upon government entitlements today receive an average of $32,700 in benefits each year? And these Americans pay NO taxes.
Did you know that the average American’s annual income AFTER taxes — Americans who work and pay taxes — is $32,400?
With the election of President Barack Obama and the democrat super-majority in 2008, this is the first time in our nation's history that we have seen this inversion - being able to make MORE income by not working. True, these are averages, but the numbers show, by significant amounts the average recipient of entitlements ends up with more disposable income than the average wage earner in America.
These benefits/entitlements cost $2.5 trillion tax dollars per year. The federal government only collects $2.5 trillion a year in revenue. So, who pays for the rest of the federal government; ie, defense, justice, the goons in the TSA, national parks, even the Post Office, ect? We borrow - from the Chinese, and anyone who lend us money OR the Federal Reserve prints more cash. And that results in inflation, which decreases the purchasing power of your money that you have saved.
President Obama's signature piece of legislation has been .... Obamacare. That is the instrument of our federal government that is now threatening to fine religious institutions — mostly Catholic — that dare not to pay for contraception health care coverage for their employees. That is the same Obamacare that will force every person in America to buy health insurance, or be fined by the IRS (or lose your home - or go to jail - or both).
The last time our central government tried to force everyone in our nation to buy something against our will, was when we were colonists led by the king of England. He and his Stamp Act resulted in the American Revolution.
So, after 235 years of existence .. just how far have we really come from what the Founding fathers intended to protect us against? No very far.
Our federal government politicians today refuse to leave us alone. They tax us too much, they spend and borrow too much, they create too many regulations governing our lives, and they are now trying to control our lives so much they are meddling in details as intimate as contraception.
What next .. government sponsored VIAGRA for the males in our nation who need help servicing all those females using government sponsored contraceptives?
These new laws being passed by our career politicians (mostly democrats) really are intended to scr_w the American taxpayers, aren’t they?
Hey Grizzly Adams......
Don't you realize American revolutionaries were LIBERALS ? That is certainly how they were viewed by King George. Obviously, these American revolutionaries were not satisfied with the status quo. A case can easily be made they went far beyond mere liberalism and were liberal radicals.
Conservative Americans (during the revolution) were "loyalists" (aka "Tory"). They ("loyalists") were particularly prevalent in the southern colonies where their concern for "free enterprise" (trade with England) trumped all sense of patriotism. As you can see, conservatives have changed very little.
BTW---Is "Grizzly Adams" your hero? Do you fancy yourself a "survivalist" ? You might ought to read "Grizzly's" bio. The facts are not so romantic as the myth. Adams exploited animals and abandoned his family. He also was not a particularly "quick learner" (a deficiency which led to his early demise). But, given Romney's mal-treatment of his dog, Gingrich's mal-treatment of his (several) wives, and Santorum's repeated gaffes, perhaps it (your monicker) is, after all, appropriate.
Pleeeeze Ian, you are confusing the poor fellow with all those facts. Nope-a-dopes cannot handle the truth if it does not give them support for their pre-planned, fear based agenda.
That was then and this is now. If you don't want to participate in your countrys laws LEAVE. Greedy bastards are not wanted in America.
Geez Grizzly, Glenn Beck couldn't have said it better...in fact you probably copied that load of hooey directly from "The Blaze."
"Being attacked on his spending record is not new for the candidate now considered a front-runner in the nomination contest. "
I have been following the primaries mostly for the entertainment value, but I honestly do not know if they are talking about 'Surge' or 'Romneycare'.
There have been so many lead changes, it is impossible to know. I do know that Romneycare has 79 delegates, and Surge has about half that.