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Jessica Kourkounis / Getty Images
Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum greets supporters during a campaign stop at the Pennsylvania Leadership Conference on Saturday in Camp Hill, Penn.
CAMP HILL, Penn. -- Returning to the home state that delivered him an embarrassing double-digit loss in his last Senate race, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum described the 2006 defeat as a "gift" that allowed him to distance himself from the daily politics of Washington.
"The people of Pennsylvania didn't always give me what I wanted, but they always gave me what I needed," he said in morning remarks to the conservative Pennsylvania Leadership Conference. " And it was a great, in many respects, for me a great gift to get away, to separate out, to get back and involved in the private sector and have a little distance from Washington to see what was going on."
Conceding that the complaints of conservatives "didn't quite resonate with me" while he was a member of Congress, Santorum said his ouster allowed him to see the legislative process from a perspective that explained Americans' frustrations with Washington.
"It was really an eye-opening awakening experience for me, and I took that as a good sort of self-correction," he said.
Conceding that he got "creamed" in his own home state, Santorum was gleeful when a member of the audience shouted out to compare his electoral pattern to that of another famous American president who won the White House after a difficult statewide run.
"Abraham Lincoln, that's right!" he exclaimed.
Santorum, who hopes a strong performance in the state's April 24 primary will offer his campaign a boost of legitimacy, contrasted that "outsider" mantle with rival Mitt Romney's "Etch-a-Sketch" politics.
Brandishing the child's toy that became an instant metaphor for Romney after an adviser invoked it during a CNN interview, Santorum won prolonged applause for declaring. "Folks, we don't need people who write their public policy in Etch-a-Sketches!"
The former Pennsylvania senator - honing in on energy issues along with his frequent criticisms of Romney's backing of the individual mandate in his state's health care bill - said that Romney is "uniquely disqualified" to run against President Barack Obama.
"We don't as conservatives want a candidate that we can't trust to say the same thing before two different groups," he said.
In concluding his lengthy address, Santorum predicted a strong performance Saturday in Louisiana's primary contest and urged home staters to support him.
"I'm not asking you to help me as a favorite son," he said. I'm asking you to stand up and do it for your sons and daughters so they will be free."
Leave a Comment:
Maybe I am mistaken, but you see people en mass on the vine advocating for Obama, Romney, and Ron Paul. And only see comments of contempt for Santorum.
If this vine is any indication of the voting public, who is voting for this douche?
People who don't know how to use them "new fangled computer thingies."
And dumb sh!ts.
reichwingnutreligionazis are his supporting base (happily, they are proportionally few in number)
He was a loser then, a loser now, and will be a loser at the convention.
At least he's consistent.
There's even a frothy chant for him - "LOSER! LOO-SER! LOOO-SER! LOOSSSSER!
"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas". Lots of gifts from the people to the republicans coming up.
An Etch and Sketch under every tree (if the trees are all the same size)
GO VOTE LOUISIANA !! No Mardi Gras, no Saints, no Tigers, no rain, ............no excuse
ROMNEY/RUBIO 2012 & 2016
Rubio? LOL
How about Paul/Napolitano 2012 & 2016 & 2020 & 2024
Romney? LOL
Hank Williams Jr/Willie Nelson 2012
Obama out in 2012 ...
Backfire
Romney/Rubio 2012/2016...
Do you think after they lose both of those elections they will give it up in 2020?
I think a question we should all be concerned about is - will Obama actually step down when he loses to Romney, or will he manufacture a crisis, then declare Martial Law. He's already circumvented the Constitution to prepare for this. He now has recessed a declaration that allows the President to arrest anyone anywhere, and detain them forever. If they resist, they can be killed on the spot. Why YOU should worry?!? ANY PRESIDENT, got it? Now imagine Santorum with this power. I have no doubt Obama will use this before he leaves the White House after only 4 years.
Since it's almost a certainty that Hillary will run in 2016 does ANYONE "think" that a "reasonable" RETHUG candidate will be found for 2016?
I mean - using "reasonable" and "REPUBLICAN" together is, by definition, an OXYMORON, but whatever...
backfire you need to stop lighting those FARTS or you'll explode...that's your "backfire?"
Obama will WIN - the only question is the MARGIN
...which is why the FBI and CIA and NSA implanted that microchip near your testicles...you know, so you'll be easy to track down when it's time to round you up.
Quick, somebody please fetch this man a tinfoil hat!
I'm not concerned about Obama winning. If he runs against Romney, he'll lose in a landslide. What I worry about is whether or not he'll accept the election, or continue circumventing laws and declare himself dictator.
Backfire: I think you need to build yourself a bomb shelter now, INCOMING
Da Noid
Actually, I am more concerned about our governments intrusion than terrorists. Starting with the Patriot Act that allowed spying on everything we do, even what we are doing now. Starting to fly drones over US cities, monitoring all communications. And then on to due process, which is the only thing that protects the rest of the bill of rights and how they could be undermined. Then on to HR 347 which has been called the "Occupy Act" because it makes it a felony to protest our government anywhere the secret service sees fit, even if you did it unknowingly. Last year the government put in an internet kill switch that they can shut down all internet providers in the country. And a new twist HR 3166 where if you suggest an overthrow of the US government, they can strip your citizenship.
Why is it that our own government scares me more than terrorists? Maybe they are the true terrorists.
Get me a hat too.
Backfire
"Romney will win in a landslide"....lmao
Would that be like the landslide of 2000?
I imagine it was a gift to the people from Pennsylvania too...what rubbish...this guy is so desperate for votes he will say anything for anybody..particularly the rabid right
It was a gift alright.......FOR THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA!!
We realized what a nutcase he was and voted the moron out!
The worst thing that Americans could do, is elect him to the Presidency.
And the rest of them, if you listen closely, are not much better. (Mitt, Newt, Ron)
I listened to the debates, or at least as much as I could stomach. They tell us what we want to hear and tell us how their going to make life soooo much better for us. I've vote in every election in the last 35 years and all I seem to hear is......
BLAH!...... BLAH! BLAH!...... BLAH! BLAH!...... BLAH! BLAH!!
If he liked that,..Santorum is going to love it when he DOESN'T get the GOP nomination.
It will be like Christmas.
Just imagine,....little Ricky coming down the steps in his "Jesus Jammies",...his eys twinkling and wise with amazement,.....what's that over by the tree ?
"EPIC FAIL" !! (gosh,...it's for me)
There is no way this crazed zealot is going to win the nomination,...and if somehow he did there's less than half that chance that he can win the moderates and independents it will take to win the general election against Barck Obama.
He is going to end up in a SAN-I-TOR-I-UM. Straightjacket and all,....babbling about the will o' the lord,....he's an ideal presidential candidate. Ugh !!
Rick has a up hill climb when Romney out spends him 10-1 or better
he just needs to enlist the help of the church...he's a good catholic and catholics fall for anything - just look at their record of dealing with deviant priests
Hey, Santorum are you on drugs? Something wrong with your brain then. You want on the Washington gravy train just like the rest. You lie so much you are starting to believe it. Nobody much likes anything about you. Go get a job with churches that specialize in handling snakes during their services.
where has he lied? I dont recall anyone sayin hes a liar??
gee, READ MUCH?
i guess recanting or taking back most of what he says is not lying. saying he didn't say what he said even when there's taped evidence.... now, well, that might be considered lying. wouldn't you say, not a troll?
so we just give him credit for saying things off the cuff, eh and not calling it "lying"? JUST WHAT WE NEED,,,wordsmith, anyone...
Alicia: I give Rick credit for one thing, He lies a lot less than Willard.
damning with faint praise, eh?
why I dont understand this mans rise-he lost by double digits and yet hes the gops number 2 man and his own state after seeing him for a term threw him out big time because they dont like him-does limbaugh and hanity have that much power they can propell a loser like this to defeat the most likely nominee romney , sure many of christians say mormonism is a cult i agree but last I knew santorum is a catholic and they say only catholics go to heaven so any of you baptist, methodist church of god all other protestants are a cult to them the gop wont tell you this but its true goggle it
it's referred to in the psychiatric field as "delusions of grandeur" (of course, having a rich backer doesn't HURT either.
now as to why he's #2 (what an APT description of the SH IT that is frothy...but I digress) - when faced with first 8 then 4 LOUSY CHOICES, and the floaters have risen to the top of the septic tank, SOMEBODY is #2 and that apt description/ position falls to frothy
The "gift" was to the people of Pennsylvania. This arrogant, misogynistic, intolerant, religiously bigoted man is the very antithesis of every principle upon which our Country was founded.
Obama's extended payroll tax cut , gouges its costs out of social security ....
How lovely ....
Obama out in 2012 ...
But replaced by who? If you say Romney, Santorum or Gingrich, I would have to disrespectively disagree. If you say Paul, I will at least make my disagreement respectful. Now if you were to say Rocky Anderson, I would have to give a "Hell Yeah".
Wow, does that offer up some unwanted visuals.
I prefer to think that the voters in Pennsylvania just "PI$$ED" on him. IF nominated, he wouldn't even carry his "home" state
Santorum's defeat in the Republican primary will be an even bigger gift to the country when he finally gets dumped. It is painfully obvious to me that Santorum has severe problems in his "critical" and "strategic" thinking abilities. It is also beyond me how he can think he has any mainstream appeal to American voters. He, like Romney, should NOT have any appeal other than to a minority base of Republican crazies, unless of course the majority of Republican voters have lost their collective minds. That being said, it is sad that so many will vote for either one of these jokers as an "anyone but Obama vote." Say what you want about Obama, but he's articulate, intelligent, and brought the country back from the brink of disaster, with little to no help from the other side of the aisle. Obama's view for the country is much better than the "business as usual" policies of the Republican Party that will only further weaken the middle class that is necessary for a strong economic recovery.
I hope he will be as appreciative of this year's gift.
He's right. It was a gift. We got rid of him for awhile.
I still love his latest statement--If refering to Romney and Obama he said "If they're going to be a little different, we might as well stay with what we have instead of taking a risk of what may be the Etch A Sketch candidate for the future" And now he has come out with that he would support whomever is the Republican candidate. So I hope you people in Illinois don't vote for this nut job. We learned in Pennsylvania and dumped him as a Senator. And Rick, no thanks for the gift is necessary, just don't visit us in Pennsylvania. Thanks
He said that a rape victim's pregnancy would also be a "gift", so he has a strange view of that word.
And the voters in PA dumped him by 18 points, which is one heck of a rejection for an incumbent with no major sexual or financial scandal. Usually it takes death to pry them out of office. The voters REALLY wanted him gone.
The biggest increases in the National debt have always happened during Republican Presidencies. Don't believe it, look it up.
true but i think obama topped them, funny thing is when there in power they tell us going in debt is good for america, go back in listen to george bush in his campaigns and how limbaugh and hanity supported it when he was runnin the show
my post above where has he lied?? sure he says some crazy things like unemployment numbers mean nothing to him but he somewhat backed it up by saying they dont sure he cares about the unemployed but the numbers wont change how he is as a canidate, personally i could care less about about a canidate who doesnt care about jobs as little as he does i would be on top of these numbers hes not but he didnt lie about it give him credit for that
"he somewhat backed it up"...
so does that mean he only "fibbed"?
hope you never have to testify to save a friends life - "well I somewhat backed up his alibi"....
he didnt lie he trully believes what he said-unemployment numbers dont matter to him-accept it they dont
The Dutch Embassy in Washington declined to comment on Wednesday on recent remarks by Rick Santorum, the Republican presidential candidate, in which he claimed, falsely, that forced euthanasia accounts for 5 percent of all deaths in the Netherlands.
my post above where has he lied??
Santorum and Terri Schiavo:
Politifacts has given him a " Pants on fire." they showed a break down of power outages.
From the article
Our ruling
my post above where has he lied??
william if you think about it i was really trying to help you by sayin he trully belives unemployment numbers dont matter to him- obviously you want to go out of your way to say they do with all your posts are you a santorum supporter?? if so you definately have did your homework
I remember rolling blackouts in California. In early 2000? or late 1990? In any case, I don't remember any in the last 7 years, post-Enron.
Republicans are out to destroy Social Security. End of story.
Give it to the wolves on Wall Street.
yes they hate it medicare worst and if they win look at something like huge increases of age eligibility or privatisation of both to finaly kill them once and for all-they call obama socialist and all dems and rightfully so-social security is socilism why they have the word socail in it the gop fought it when it became law and most of them fight it to this day-they say why blow all our money on a bunch of old people who dont even work- in a way i agree we need to fix roads and do other things and not wrap all our money on old people and there pensions and invest in young people but these people paid into it and face it we will have many who cant get jobs etc who need help we cant throw our seniors under the bus and we definately cant throw them all back into the work force-unemployment is high enough why i could never vote gop
Is there any chance that you could puntuate and learn how to constuct a sentence?
capted...agreed. but could you spell PUNCTUATE. lol.
I am over 50 and would gladly give up my SS and any medicare/medicaid just so my children s future can be saved. The path that many politicians have set us will only be overturned with sacrifice and pain. The free lunch is over and the choice is do we pay the price for politicians stupidity or does our children and grandchildren pay a harder price.
SS needs to be abolished. (Nothing more than a government run Ponzi scheme)
There should be a flat tax. (Then the IRS could be eliminated)
Medicare/Medicaid should be reduced.
Welfare should be limited to just bare necessities and require drug tests. Fail the drug test, loose the benefits.
Any support require work program.
Illegal is illegal. Especially to Illegal Aliens. No support allowed. PERIOD! If you want in the country, do it the right way.
Get the US Government out of the schools. They should be state/local run and funded.
Religion should be out of the federal government, but the states have the rights to list and support religion.
John
Do you have ideas of your own - or do you just repeat the memos sent to you from the home office?
btw- if you would gladly give up your SS and medicare/medicad...do us all a favor....just don't sign up for it!
That's easy - you don't apply - they don't send a check. Stand by your words with actions!
Hey, if you wanna get rid of SS, then I want every penny I've paid into it. That's MY money, not yours or the governments or your kids. I earned it, no one else.
John, you sound like you'd be a lot happier living in Somalia. No SS, Medicare, Medicaid, welfare or any social programs at all, and they still teach their kids that the world is run by ghosts and warlords. It sounds like your kids, if any, are already being home-schooled by idiots, so it won't be much of a stretch for them.
You can even build your own private army and kill anyone who doesn't share your opinions.
It's a perfect fit for you.
im over 50 too and want to retire before im like 80 years old like the gop wants me to be im a very good engineer but face reality im not as good as i was at 40 or 30 there needs to be a way to get me into retirement and this young people are working and learning and they by doing this help pay to get me old foggy out of the way without sendin me to be put to sleep like you do a old dog-the selishness in your post about you feel you deserve what you paid into it definately says you feel your entitleled to what you put in-why they call it entitlement, the sane with medicare and nedicaid your payin that out of every check-do you feel entilled to that? yet you right wingers who vote for them say ssi and medicare are not entitlements because you paid into them-sorry friend but when the gop and tea party says end and cut entitlements they are talkin your ssi and medicare if you dont think so your not payin attention
NO government entity has ANY ability to support RELIGION. it's PROHIBITED.
glad to know that you have exhibited your rightwing ideas for all to see.
Just to be clear, I have to suppose that you support frothy for president?
good...so when you are 65 yrs. we can be guarantee that you will not sign up for social security. how gracious. now remember to keep your promise.. you miserable liar.
So you would give up SS to lesson the burden on your children? What happens if you fall on hard times and have to put more of a burden on your children? Or they could be selfish like you and let you live out on the streets.
I might go along with you on the drug testing if it included anyone who excepted subsidies, special tax breaks or are to big to fail, like the Nuclear industry, the oil industry, big agriculture, banking, the list is long and never ending.
Work programs, isn't that like Socialism? I'd love to see the Fed bring back programs that put people back to work like during the great depression.
xvet
It certainly was a gift to us citizens of PA! We booted him the H#LL outta here as soon as we found out what an extremist weasel he actually is.
Can anyone tell me where the gift exchange is located?
Tampa - in July
I thought it was the last week in August?
so maybe I made a mistake - it's not like I CARE when the RETHUGS hold their circle-jerk... (as long as they get put in their place in November)
Please let Ron Paul win. He may be planning some cuts, but a lot will not pass. As long as he brings our troups home and gets rid of Obamacare, along with slowing down the EPA standards that are raising our energy prices, I want him. At least he is honest and does not run off at the mouth. His beliefs are sound.
Ron Paul - 2012
Sorry, but Ron Paul is finished. He needs to just ride away into the sunset.
Sonya ... I guess our only hope is for you to get fired from your job, lose your employer-provided healthcare benefits, and have a catastrophic illness or injury that will deplete your bank accounts and retirement savings (and I also hope you lose your home). All this of course after you drink contaminated water and die of kidney failure. Have a nice life!
the vulture, the theocrat wannabee, the serial adulterer, the antebellum anarchist... such a profoundly "ideal" group to choose from... NOT!
4 DWARFS and all named DOPEY!
@grandall - May your diety forgive you. I did lose my job last November after having several heart attacks and 2 heart surgeries about 2 years ago. Then my lower back disks gave out and I am able to sit at the computer for about 2 hours before the pain really kcks in. I am currently paying about $600+ per month for my COBRA out of my savings and rretirement. I worked hard all of my life. I have nobody to take care of me so I will pass on when the time comes. I have had a nice full life. God has blessed me with happiness.
I will not wish the same upon you. I just ask that you be forgiven for being so cruel to others.
@grandall - I will not lose my home. I payed it off years ago and will die in it. I probably have drank contaminated water, but my kidneys are fine at the moment. I did find out that I also have thyroid problems a couple of months ago.
I missed the part about losing my home when I read your "comment".
I would not wish any single thing you said in your reply on anyone.
Then why the h*ll are you a Republican who clearly votes against her own best interests? If you are so ill then why are you against Obamacare? It doesn't sound like you qualify yet for Medicare or Medicaid, but should once your savings are depleted. BTW, the Republicans will gut those social programs if elected. In the meantime, healthcare costs will continue to spiral out of control while more and more Americans are left without healthcare altogether, or will be under insured. Or they'll incur ridiculous ER charges that they'll never pay off and the taxpayer will get stuck with the bill anyway.
I moved back to Canada after 23 years in the US because I lost my healthcare coverage and could not get coverage because I developed diabetes. I'm proud to be back in Canada and living in a society that doesn't treat its citizens like disposable commodities. I worked hard all those years and payed all my taxes, and just can't believe the US has not adopted socialized medicine like the rest of the civilized world.
I'm sorry madame, but I do not tolerate stupidity well, and as far as I'm concerned, the sooner the current crop of Republican crazies die off, the sooner the US will be a better place to live. The Republican Party should be outlawed forever for what Bush and the Republican Party did to this country.
I'm sorry madame, but I do not tolerate stupidity well
Who said I am Republican? I do not object to Obamacare in total. It is the increased taxation and further regulations that I object to. A lot of Canadians come to the United States for surgery. That may be reversed soon.
As far as Congress goes, there should be term limits and anyone in Congress or the Presidency should have been required to run or work for a real business or company before being allowed to serve. They all need to be replaced as far as I am concerned. It is not just Republicans, Democrats or even Tea baggers. The integrity of the elected person is what I look for.
I am sorry to hear that you have diabetes and was unable to get proper coverage while in the United States. There should have been a way to get coverage for that. I will look into that when I can.
Medicare and Medicaid will be reduced no matter whom is elected. The social security program I have paid into all of my life will not be there either.
Are you wanting to move back to the United States? If not, why comment?
Why so nasty on the comments?
@grandall - never mind replying. The way things are going with my health, I will be dead soon so I won't be around for any taxpayer benefits. My daughter has passed away and I have been divorced for 20+ years. I plan on leaving my home to a non-profit facility like the Ronald McDonald House to help others while their families are in the hospitals. I will be leaving anthing else to the local animal shelter. I will be cremated and that is paid for already.
Hope to chat with you again someday under better circumstances. Bless you.
That you are for Ron Paul strongly implies that you are a Republican.
Furthermore, a lack of regulations almost tanked the US and thus world economy because of unmitigated greed, another predominantly Republican value. As far as "a lot" of Canadians going to the US for surgery, some that can afford it, do. There are also those that go outside of the government-run system for private care here in Canada. At least we have the choice, and Canada ranks well above the US in overall healthcare according to the World Health Organization.
I hope you enjoy the rest of your life and pass peacefully. Just don't vote against your own best interests.
not sure i believe sonya is telling the truth. need to see her birth certificate. insurance card, medical history, deed for home....or maybe she inherited (which is great) does not souind like a good life to me.......why would you tell people who do not know you that your death is already paid for. ..sonya..maybe since you have so much you could help some of those homeless veterans who do not have homes....and before you tell me you do i need proof.
@ paula-3351490 what you believe does not really matter. However, finding a homeless vet and family to leave my home to does sound like a good alternative. As far as seeing my information, that is like me asking for your social security number, place of birth and other private information. However, I am just me. I have not lied about my condition. I am an honest person. As far as my age, I am 55 with a family history of short lives. That means I was born in 1956. Also fighting the pain and inability to do much any more causes one to prepae for the end. That is called responsibillity.
@ grandall I agree the lack of regulations on the financial system almost totalled the world. The banks seem to be finding ways around the new rules. I really dislike the way the system is set up. From banking to pharma to solar.
The only reason I like Ron Paul is that he seems to have integrity. It would be wonderful if he could work with Congress and actually improve the Obamacare system. The Office of Finance has already figured out Obamacare will cost double what he said. There are all sorts of hidden taxes in the bill.
If my daughter had lived and I could have left her everything, she would have to pay the government a rather large fee to get the house. The same will probably be true to any verteran. I am going to contact the Veteran's office on Monday to see what all will be involved donating the house to them.
Thank you all for the input.