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Subscribe to RSSRepublican strategist Vin Weber talks about the latest in the GOP nomination race and the upcoming health care battle.
This morning we asked if Rick Santorum had gone too far by saying it would be better to vote for Barack Obama than an Etch A Sketch Republican like Mitt Romney.
Well, Santorum has now tried to walk back the comment -- and he lashes out at the Romney campaign, blaming it for causing the dust up.
"I would never vote for Barack Obama over any Republican and to suggest otherwise is preposterous,” Santorum said in a statement released by his campaign. “This is just another attempt by the Romney Campaign to distort and distract the media and voters from the unshakeable fact that many of Romney's policies mirror Barack Obama's. I was simply making the point that there is a huge enthusiasm gap around Mitt Romney and it's easy to see why - Romney has sided with Obama on healthcare mandates, cap-and-trade, and the Wall Street bailouts. Voters have to be excited enough to actually go vote, and my campaign's movement to restore freedom is exciting this nation. If this election is about Obama versus the Obama-Lite candidate, we have a tough time rallying this nation. It's time for bold vision, bold reforms and bold contrasts. This election is about more than Barack Obama, Mitt Romney, or Rick Santorum - this campaign is about freedom and I will fight to restore your freedoms."
But it was Santorum who said yesterday, "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. 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.”
Newt Gingrich and Romney pounced, with Gingrich saying any of the Republicans running would be better than Obama, and Romney calling Santorum “desperate” and frustrated.
"I want to start with something Rick said tonight that I frankly was very surprised that he said and that I hope he's taking back,” Gingrich said, adding, “I may have some very substantial disagreements with Gov. Romney. There is no doubt in my mind that if the choice was Gov. Romney or Barack Obama, we would have no choice,” Gingrich said. “The danger of Obama is so great that I would hope that every candidate running -- Ron Paul, Gov. Romney and Sen. Santorum – that we would all agree that whoever becomes the Republican nominee, we have one common goal and that is to defeat Barack Obama.”
On Hugh Hewitt’s radio show this morning, Romney said of Santorum, “Desperate polls call for desperate pols.”
He added, “I know that there are a lot of people across the country that are saying we need to consolidate behind the guy who has now weathered, I think there are 38 different contests we've had, if you include all the little islands as well. … I'm sure that the Senator's hearing from some of those people saying hey, let's get going, let's move on and get our nominee ready to go against President Obama. and perhaps he's striking out with frustration from those kind of questions.”
And he went further, accusing Santorum of vanity.
“I'm afraid that Rick increasingly thinks this race is about him,” Romney said. “It's not about him. It's not about me. It's not about a personality. It's about the country. And I'm really disappointed in Rick's statement. Obviously, he endorsed me three years ago when I was running for president. He had no problem calling me a real conservative, a solid conservative. But now that he's in the race, it has become all about Rick.”
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Yes Rick, we know we cant rust your lying ass. You would say anything to get elected and if something doesn't float your boat, you just change positions. HOW can we ever trust you? And you call Romney a lyaing hypocite? You are an idoat savant if you think that educated peolple buy into your rhetoric...
Meds, now.
Santorum has always been characterized as crazy, but never as a flip-flopper. Your man Mitt owns that crown.
Tell us how you really feel, Rick.
Duhhhhhh! Open mouth, insert foot, now shove it allllllll the way down.
What the American People have been saying all along. This year's GOP line up is ... unelectable.
Each candidate comes out with about 1 gaffe / week, and maybe more, if only Gingrich could score a little higher in recent polls.
The GOP is saving their hopes and dreams on 2016, certainly not on these guys.
Frustrating stuff. Rick Santorum is too wrapped up in the less important issues like abortion and gay rights. I think we would all survive if boys are allowed to kiss boys as long as we take care of our fiscal issues. Then maybe we could get back on track as a great nation.
Santorum's remark was dumb; Romney makes dumb remarks; Newt makes even dumber remarks. What shall we do? Oh, I know, let's vote for the one who can improve the economy with his knowhow. That's right; no one is perfect; vote for Mitt Romney; at least he can fix the economy.
Romney can't fix his relationship with his own dog. It still looks at him funny.
Looks like four more years. By then we will be completely screwed in the financial sense. Think I'll change to democrat and start marching for freebies.
I am so sick and tired of santorum. to listen to him or watch him makes me physically ill. if he should win, inaguration would no doubt be HIGH MASS with him serving as cardinal and offereing holy communion. He is so back in the old, old days. I don't know how his wife stomaches him. It's very obvious that he is a cold turd because his wife has to make the first move to kiss him when he leaves the podium. What a loser
It would take a miracle for Santorum to get the nomination at this point.
The only thing that he can do is keep Romney from getting it as well.
Well, Ricky does think he's God, so maybe he's planning his own personal miracle...
Santorum just has an extra big mouth kind of like Obama has....shut up Santorum !!!
Yes, but unlike Obama, Santorum's head is empty.
While we democrats are unhappy with Obama for his continuation of everything Bush did. The GOP lineup still really is pitiful, Romney will say anything to get elected, Santorum is a religious fascist who wants to censor opinions he doesn't like, Newt Gingrich is just awful period no explanation required, and Ron Paul is too nutty for either side to take a liking to him.
If this is the best the Republicans can offer, (a bunch of imature idiots playing with an etch a sketch). I may have no choice but to vote for the Democrat, or not vote at all because the Democrat is an idiot also. Politics as usual. Bunch of criminals.
Conservative Code Word (Whites Male Rightwing Power Brokers
Only
Aka. Neoconservatives/Tea Party followers
Blame GOP/Republican plans for the NO future
They still live in past prejudices - What is this take our
country back BS.
Native American Indians and Mexicans may differ on whose
country it was
Secret is OUT
Truth will not be DENIED - According our Lord and Savior -
Jesus Christ
Conservative = White Power Brokers Only
They are exposing themselves with spewing vile venomous talk
- We Hear You
Agents of Satan - Father of all Lies
Mission - Reverse civil rights - social programs - equality
- Control Laws - Separate from others - Women No count -Preach Doom & Gloom
- start wars - undermine state legislation - diminish Government Authority
nation wide
WTFHEPPENED
I may be frustrated with Repubs and consider voting Dem, but at least I'm not an idiot. And you, Rick -549809?
Hog-Lover,
This is my opinion only - believe what you must - I realize this a small portion of Americans but those that remain silent give credence - Did I lie about anything?
WILL NOT HELP THE NATION (NO WAY NO HOW)
They wish for failures and suffering
For the sole purpose of re-establishing White Power as Jim
Crowe Laws did in the past - Protect White Rights at all cost
How - Telling people the Liberal Media is against
Conservative by reporting facts - Everybody else is foreigners to America -
Using the language of Lincoln, The US Constitution as designed only for
Conservative Right interpretation
Undermine the Government authority through corporate
influence and legislation by placing only “Conservative” lawmakers in key
positions - Transparency is exposing the practice - Internet access has that
affect - Truth will be Exposed. (God)
WTFHAPPENED
Just keep on digging Santorum
It's time for that egoistical A@@ to call it quits!
Is this all there is, bring on the booze, light up a joint, pop a pill and do a line, you will need all of the above if any of these folks get elected. It was only three years ago we were left with a big mess and our great President has pulled us back from the brink. To hell with these folks.
Etch-A-Sketch - Romney
Erase-A-Sketch - Santorum
Boo-Boo-A-Sketch - Gingrich
Please-Gimme-A-Sketch - Paul
Too funny!
Santorum has improved his image by appearing to be smart enough to vote for Obama if need be. Who would have thought he had the good sense after the string of absurd comments he has made?
The GOP...The Party of Nastiness...is just warming up for the main event.The only thing that will be worse is when President Obama wins and they express how they really feel.
Now you know why PA got rid of him. Maybe he should just read a disclaimer before he says anything, saying what he is about to say isn't what he really means and he will figure that out later.
Now, now, kindergartners. Ricky, Willy, Newton, I want you all to go to separate corners and play with your etch a sketches quietly. Once you decide you want to play nicely with others, you can rejoin the group.
Ronny: What about me?
Oh, sorry, Ronny. I forgot you were there.
He would vote for "any" Republican? He apparently would vote for a President Palin before a Roosevelt! Think about that comment a bit.
And a one, and a two, and a three, and...taps.
Santorum and Gingrich are alot like the women that stay until last call at the bar. They may not be the prettiest but they figure if they stay long enough someone will be drunk enough to pick them up.
The smart ones would buy a blowup before picking up any Republican.
Truth, not Trush. I didn't see that until my edit clock timed out.
Poor Ricky, so delusional. If there's a huge enthusiasm gap around Mitt, there's an enthusiam abyss around Santorum. Why does he think Mitt's won more primaries? Or does he even know that Mitt's won more primaries? He's obviously mentally ill, maybe he's hallucinating.
"I would never vote for Barack Obama over any Republican and to suggest otherwise is preposterous,” Santorum said.
Well, Rick YOU are the one who said it so I think you are finally admitting that what you say is preposterous!
Santorum has now tried to walk back the comment -- and he lashes out at the Romney campaign, blaming it for causing the dust up.
Maybe that rich guy, Romney, had his people manufacture a robot that looks like Santorum and then they got the robot to say:
"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. 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.”
You heard it here first folks. That was NOT Rick Santorum! It was the high-tech Santorum robot created by the Romney campaign to make Santorum look bad. Don't be fooled by the Santorum robot! It is another Romney dirty trick!