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Subscribe to RSSThe Daily Rundown's Chuck Todd talks about Rick Santorum's comments to a crowd of supporters, in which he said President Barack Obama is better than Mitt Romney.
SAN ANTONIO, TX -- Rick Santorum today suggested it would be better to stick with President Obama over a candidate that might be "the Etch A Sketch candidate of the future” -- a shot at chief rival Mitt Romney.
"You win by giving people the opportunity to see a different vision for our country, not someone who’s just going to be a little different than the person in there," said Santorum. "If you’re going to be a little different, we might as well stay with what we have instead of taking a risk with what may be the Etch A Sketch candidate of the future.”
For the second day in a row, the former Pennsylvania senator brought an Etch A Sketch on the trail as a prop to remind voters of Romney adviser Eric Fehrnstrom's response to a question about whether Santorum is pushing Romney too far right to win over moderate voters in a general election. "Well, I think you hit a reset button for the fall campaign. Everything changes," Fehrnstrom said Wednesday on CNN. "It’s almost like an Etch A Sketch. You can kind of shake it up and restart all over again."
The comment gave plenty of ammunition to Santorum and Newt Gingrich, both of whom have made the well-known children's toy a staple of their stump speeches.
Speaking at the USAA headquarters here, Santorum showed optimism about his chances in the delegate rich state of Texas. He told the crowd the primary would not be over by the time the Lone Star State votes on May 29.
"It's the second-biggest delegate prize, and you're going to have an important role. This race will not be over when Texas is coming around," he said.
Santorum's viability hinges on picking up a majority of the 155 delegates that will be up for grabs here. When asked about his path to the nomination, Texas plays a key role.
Still, the GOP hopeful avoided calling on Newt Gingrich to leave the race, though senior campaign advisers have said the former House speaker remaining in the race is cutting into their vote totals and that they would like to receive the former House speaker's support.
Santorum said his campaign has been in contact with both the Gingrich and Romney campaigns, though he declined to give specifics of the conversations.
"I’m worried about being a candidate. I’m not worried about anything else right now,” Santorum told reporters who asked about the nature of the conversations.
Accompanying Santorum on the trail today was billionaire-backer Foster Freiss, who is a chief contributor to the pro-Santorum Super PAC Red, White and Blue Fund. They will attend a fundraiser in Dallas on Thursday afternoon.
*** UPDATE *** The Romney camp responds with this statement from the former Massachusetts governor: “I am in this race to defeat Barack Obama and restore America’s promise. I was disappointed to hear that Rick Santorum would rather have Barack Obama as president than a Republican. This election is more important than any one person. It is about the future of America. Any of the Republicans running would be better than President Obama and his record of failure.”
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Obama will win by an even bigger landslide now that he has picked up Santorum's delegates. Thank you Rick. You have finally, after all these years, done something great for your country.
I guess that this pretty much blows his chance as Mitt's VP ruming mate!
I'll support the GOP nominee in the general election, but i won't support Santorum in these primaries. Romney all the way. Santorum has just disqualified himself.
So GOP over all else. Thank you for declaring your party affiliation.
Do have anything useful to say?
Santorum is frustrated. He thinks God should be helping him and God has no interest. My suggestion is to keep praying.
Can't tell if serious or reverse psychology.
We need to back the best candidate we have and apparently it is Gov. Romney. If you don't win, you go tell everyone to vote for the person you are trying to get out of office? Rick, Rick, Rick... you need to get out of the race and cool your heels.
The failed leadership of Willard Mitt Romney while governor of Massachusetts is stunning. His state ranked 47th out of 50 in job creation, 4 straight years of manufacturing sector job losses, what few jobs that were created, public sector outpaced private sector 6 to 1 and the state's debt increased 16.5%. With a failed leadership record like that, it is no wonder that Willard won't talk about his record as governor.
Rick is no longer last named Santorum....he has changed his last name to reflect where his new residence will be....he is now to be known as Rick "Crazy" Sanitarium, because you have to be more than plain stupid to destroy your political career because you cannot handle losing.
Romney lies about EVERYTHING! An etch a sketch is the perfect description for ROMNEY.
Rick, you are really desperate. by saying this, you probably better switch to Dem. party.
Santorum never ceases to amaze me. Apparently he and Newt hate Romney so much they'd rather see Obama reelected that have Mitt win. I'm pretty sure the majority of voters will feel the same way. Ideology aside, people don't like flip flopping phonies. Just watching Romney trying to be a man of the people makes me retch with disgust. I pray that he loses by such a wide margin that he abandons all hope of ever being president.
Don't count Rick Santorum out of this election......... Willard Romney (etch a sketch) still has to get enough delegates.........He ain't there yet........Why do you want to vote for a guy who is obviously trying to buy the Presidency????
"I’m worried about being a candidate. I’m not worried about anything else right now,” Santorum told reporters"
I agree with Santorum on this one. I am worried about him being a candidate too.
God Just Spoke His Exact Words' Through Rick Santorum
How can you trust, Mitt? Who's willing to change at the sign of $, as to what he and friend will most benefits from. Case at hand if the Wall St. people are will to giving up 200 million into a super pack to get Romney elected what will Romney have to give the Wall St. people in return?
I initially under estimated you Mr.Santorum, but you are smart. First time you told the truth. Obama is far better than all of you Clowns. Romney has no backbone, you have no idea that there are people in the world who do not worship Jesus Christ, and Gingrich is an Idiot. So why not keep what we have. Someone who is more concerned about the Middle Class and very smart.
Did anyone not know that Romney will tack to the middle after he secures the nomination. Like Claude Raines as Capt. Renaud " I am where the wind blows and it currently blows towards Vichy". Romney has absolutely no beliefs other than the belief that the acquisition of wealth makes a person better smarter and more deserving than others. He has not proposed one single solution to any problem facing us a country and a people. Anyone has the perfect right to disagree with the presidents beliefs and actions but at least he has some. Romney's solution to all problems seems to be to make up a set of lies and half truths about his opponent and have them constantly on display in one venue or another until they begin to sound like truth. This is a bit harder to do in the general where you are facing someone with just as much money and a lot more intellect, charisma and speaking ability.
jkh
Santorum is in "panic mode." DeMint's back-handed endorsement of Romney is the equivalent of the "fat lady singing."
It was as if DeMint was saying: "We've given y'all a shot...fair and square. Now it's time to quit chaw'n on the front porch and to come in and sit down at the dinner table for the blessing."
And Santorum got the message...but doesn't like it.
P.S. They'll let him win in Louisiana and then withdraw on the win. He'll accept it, because he needs the Republican party...and the money. Right now, he's bouncing around in denial.
Hot Nuts! Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, and Newt Gingrich - The Three Stooges are alive!
The idea that we are better off with Obama over anyone else is a joke. I won't be voting for Santorum anytime soon but I would still pick him over Obama.
Anyone but Obama 2012!
Wow - santorum just out right dirty! So much for his christian morals - douchebag
And too qualify that; I said The Same Thing and I'm a Republican = Who will vote for Rick Santorum in the Pennsylvania Primary too and President Obama In the General
So this article is the first I have heard that our primary has finally been scheduled, for May 29. Good to know!
Obviously, Santorum has never gotten over his historical 18 point loss as an incumbent in PA so now he is even pushing a socialist over a fellow Republican. He is so far gone at this point that anyone voting for him must be considered insane. Democrats must be furious having the endorsement of Rick Santorum for Barack Obama. Talk about the kiss of death.
Santorum is a "principled" conservative? He attacks Romney at every turn for his "negative" ads and them unleashed the most vicious negative ad ever seen yesterday. He says: "Romney started it." Is he in pre-school? The point is, he claims to be the "principled" one and a person of principles does not allow the behavior of another to influence them to behave similarly. So, aside from being in pre-school (even kindergarten children don't play that game anymore) he has proven, again, he really has no principles. Whether he is "taking one for the team" by voting for something he claims to be against, "on principle," or running vicious attack ads after claiming they are immoral and indecent, the man has no principles at all.
Not only is there no chance, zero, that Romney would name him as his VP, he will not be given any speaking opportunity in the convention, other than at 2AM when no one is watching, and he will never work in the Romney Administration, not even as a driver for Romney's car. This guy is the biggest embarrassment to the Republican Party since, well, Newt Gingrich, and that is saying something.
Show a little dignity man and get out without completely humiliating your family. Mark my words, in future campaigns making a complete idiot of yourself when it is a total lost cause will be known as pulling a Santorurm.
That's OK. Romney can blame his loss to Obama on Rick and The Newt and run again in 2016...the Adlai Stevenson of the Republican Party. He's still young enough and has the money. Of course, then he'll have a bit stronger opposition with Christie, Daniels, Huntsman, et al.
Romney will be running for President in 2016, for re-election! President Romney in 2016! Christie, Daniels, and Huntsman will all be part of his administration, no doubt.
Stone, you rock with your analysis!
Romney is a pretty big embassment on his own. Like everytime he opens his mouth. What the republicans lack in class well... Wierd! I can't find anything they makeup for on any level hmmm
TO: Get Over Yourself! who wrote:
There's no way in hell I'm going to vote for the folks that have done everything in their power to stall our recovery and have done absolutely NOTHING for America or the American People.
A vote for Republicans is a vote to abolish Social Security and Medicare, and Republicans would consider it a "mandate" to repeal the minimum wage laws and abolish Employee Unions so they can force American Workers wages DOWN to $5 an hour.
Republicans = Tax Cuts for the Rich, and PAY CUTS for Working American.
Just say "No" to Republicans!
Obama / Biden 2012
For a really smart guy....What a really "dumb" comment! Not only did he go against a fellow Republican, but he signed a "death warrant" for America. Rick you and Gingrich need to withdraw.