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FAIRFIELD, Calif. -- Rick Santorum delivered what was billed as a major foreign policy speech at One Jelly Belly Lane in his latest in a series of attempts to invoke images of conservative icon Ronald Reagan.
Speaking to a crowd gathered at Jelly Belly Candy Company here, the candy manufacturers who produced Reagan's beloved jelly beans, Santorum's policy address was part homage to the former president and part blazing critique of his chief rival for the GOP nomination, Mitt Romney.
A picture of Reagan's face made out of jelly beans hung outside on the room where the former Pennsylvania senator told supporters the spirit of the Great Communicator had been lost. Santorum was not shy about citing Romney as an example of a politician who does not fit the Reagan mold. Santorum said Romney's inconsistencies on issues like gay marriage and abortion rights.
"We as conservatives need to stand up and fight for a candidate that can win this general election, who stands solidly, firmly on the 3 legs of the stool that brought the Reagan coalition together," Santorum said, referring to Reagan's belief in free enterprise, strong national defense, and conservative social values.
But it is an ad in Wisconsin which Santorum says paints him as an abortion rights advocate that GOP hopeful seemed particularly bothered by.
"I find it sort of remarkable that Gov. Romney is out running ads in Wisconsin right now basically saying I'm not pro-life," Santorum said, following with a list of the anti-abortion rights legislation he help push in Congress. "To suggest somehow or another that I am not pro-life, again, is a disingenuous game that is played by politicians who seek power instead of trying to be truthful to the American public," he said.
Santorum laid out a national security platform based in strengthening the U.S. relationship with its allies and holding other countries accountable, two things he criticized Obama for failing to have done.
"If you are a foe of the United States, and you do not respect the United States and our security interests, you will learn to fear the United States and your security interests," he said to applause. "Of all of the failings of this president, perhaps the greatest is on national security. And folks that’s saying something."
Visiting California meant a break from campaigning in Wisconsin, where polls showed Santorum struggling to keep pace with Romney. And yesterday, more bad news as Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) gave his much anticipated endorsement to Romney.
"If an endorsement hurt me, I wouldn't be here," Santorum said while greeting voters after the event.
The candy company was Santorum's only campaign event in the Golden State, which holds its primary June 5. He spent the earlier part of the day fundraising in the Los Angeles area. And despite their late primary, the GOP hopeful seemed confident the state would be important this cycle.
"California doesn't get a chance very much to play in presidential politics, of late," he said. "But you will in this presidential primary."
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Reagan preferred diplomacy and launched only a single ground war, in Grenada, and a single air campaign, against Libya, which both combined lasted less than three days.
Its only gotten worse with every administration and Rick Santorum is one of the few that still supports the Iraq decision. He'll make Bush II and Obama look like a pacifists.
Reagan did launch only one ground war, it's true, against that mighty and honorable foe, Grenada. I'm not so sure that I can commend his diplomatic abilities, though. Remember Iran Contra.
How lame is this guy?Reagan's beloved jelly beans? is Santorum going to speak at the factory that produced Reagan's favorite toilet paper, too?
Go away Rick, just go away..
Enough with Reagan. The GOP needs to move on and focus on the future. Stop trying to idolize a past president and talk about what you will do to move the country forward. As time moves on, the people who are even familiar with Ronald Reagan will no longer be voting. If the GOP doesn't have a more recent republican president to talk up, what does that tell the country about their leadership.
Jelly belly factory huh? I always wondered how Santorum kept up that jelly belly figure of his. Was Newt there too?
Don't forget the Death Squads he trained and set loose in Central America, who raped and murdered nuns. Let's also remember the OCtober Surprise, his back door dealings with a terrorist regime in order to win election. Let's not forget his rampant corruption, and creeping senility.
Screw Raygun.
And please take your sweater vests with you. That look is reserved for Reggie Bush only.
Santorum is gunning for head Mullah. I thought he was at the Jelly Belly plant to decry the ingestion of anything delicious. Or maybe he was concerned about the emotional capacity of the jelly bean. He's got to do a better job, though, of throwing out the communists. Maybe he can go back to one of his rants about fetuses.
Ron Paul held a rally in Wisconsin and drew over 5200 people. Santorum? Speaking at a jelly bean plant. But he's in second, just ask the mainstream media! Lols.
Dont forget Ronnie Raygun had his secret war with Oli North supply weapons to Iran. Now the GOP cant wait to send the troops there to get the nasty Iranian folks sitting on head of usa missle fire. O dont forget oil goes to 200 dollars a barrell
Wow, Santorum, I'd say that Obama's foreign policy has been at the top of the game.
Or did you forget Reagan's shameful retreat from Lebanon?
One thing for sure, the Republicans have never seen a country they didn't want to fight. A vote for a Republican, especially Santorum is a vote for war with Iran.
newday dawning you are wrong. the only thing we had in beruit was a marine base that got bombed. the only thing Reagan did was provide security at the airport for the evacution of all americans and europeans. I know this as i was there supporting the evacuation in 82. there was no retreat get your facts strait before you post something. us vetran. a conflict with Iran is unaviodable if the regime does not stop its development for nuclear weapons.
NDD is much more interested in inciting giddiness in the Obamanites than actually providing substantive factual claims or arguments.
I don't see how a continuation of Afghanistan, the overthrow of Libya, militarizing central american local police, and a borderless CIA drone bombing frenzy is much of an upgrade from Bush. Sure Santorum and the GOP are all about taking out Iran but I don't hear Obama putting them in their place; there is a reason why Obama was elected president last time and it would make me feel better about him if (one way or another) he'd tell them to STFU and speak the truth about the situation.
Really? That was a serious attack from suicide bombers. Reagan said it would not change the mission. He also said the US would respond. We didn't. And we left.
Great message to those who attacked us.
John - "there was no retreat"
BS. Raygun invented the Cut-n-Run, leaving 240 dead Marines in the dust.
He sure did, and we continue to pay for it.
"cut and run" or stay and play a while (or years on end), take your pick.
Jelly Bean Reagan did cut and run in Lebannon after saying we would stay and find the terrorist, who blew up the barrecks.Not only did he run,it was the French,yes the French who went after the terrorist.
Someone earlier mentioned Reagan arming the terrorist in Central America and how they raped nuns and killed priest...Then Reagan and Ollie North got involved in the Iran/Contra mess. Reagan, you might recall, under investigation for his role, said the famous words"I can't remeber." You might also recall when he left office his poll numnbers were down...Another point...The peace dividend Reagan promised went to bail out the S&L mess.Partially,if not all, was the result of Reagan lobbying to change the banking laws.
And finally,trickle down didn't work....
in many was,Reagan was a myth...
Jelly beans keep their shine with shellac. Not a bad treat on the day children celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. Right Ricky? Who needs health care? Feed the kids shellac.
what a bozo comment!
At least the kids are not being fed Progressive Party BS......of wait, in CA schools, they are.
ROFL!!!
Well, lets see. His wife had a long term sexual relationship with the doctor, 40 years her senior and an abortion doctor at the time of their relationship. Then, when she was pregnant and the doctors said her life might be in danger, Stinktorum approved an ABORTION for her. Fortunately the delivery stabilized and the baby delivered. But the FACT is that he has been married to this woman, brags about it, for 20 years, and had zero problems with abortion when it affected HIS family!!!
But the most disturbing this about his is his sending his kids to be taught by people who think wrapping hooked chains around their legs and beating themselves with flails is a good idea!!! His Kids all go to Opus Dei schools and all Opus Dei teachers are Supernumeraries: They are celibate (yeah, like all Catholic Priests-celibate until they find a cute little boy) and have to wear the chains and beat themselves.
THIS is the guy so many people want to be the freaking PRESIDENT??? None of these people see any mental illness with this guy? Ask yourself if you would let him take care of your kids for a few months!!! And this guy has said that he fully intends to make the US and exclusively Christian nation. He wants to set up his own theocracy. The man has said this in freaking speeches and Americans CHEER HIM!!!!
[THIS is the guy so many people want to be the freaking PRESIDENT???]
You forgot the part about Ricky bringing home his dead baby for a photo-op with the family...
Calm down, Carlos -- he ain't got a chance in He!! at being President. But I totally agree -- this man is mental!
"Fear the United States"
Rick Santorum delivered what was billed as a major foreign policy speech at One Jelly Belly Lane
Now, You got to admit, thats funnier then hell.. One Jelly Belly Lane, lol...
Well, at least it wasn't in fron of Charlie and the Chocolate factory.
Or it's now Rick "less than erudite, willie wonka jelly belly" Santorum.
Even Santorum's big foreign policy speech had to get his social conservative spiel in there
15 minutes are over, Rick ... time to move on .... late night comedy will miss you
Rick on Foreign Policy: Stop Belgian Endive Shipments to Rhode Island!
I don't understand why the conservatives worship Reagan. He increased the debt and oversaw something like 7 or 8 tax increases. If Reagan was in office today, the Tea party would probably be against him!
modernizing our military, bringing the soviet leader to his knees and collapsing the soviet union with the berlin wall coming down. he reduced government and regulations, put alot of health,financial. and other self suffecient programs giving choice and freedom back to the people.
america saw the greatest decade of wealth as a result and Reagan only increased the debt 900 billion in his 8 years. that is many great accomplishments for such a small price. O Socialist Obama as dangerousl;y increased the debt over 5 trillion dollars and all has gone to waste.
I am not saying he didn't accomplish a lot during his presidency. I find it ironic that the current batch of conservatives who are so against tax increases worship Reagan even though he raised taxes a bunch!
The Soviet Union was collapsing whether or not Reagan did anything. His advisors told him as much, and he did not need to put this country on a path to deficit spending without purpose to bring them down.
I know someone who served in the East German army during the Reagan years, and Soviet forces in his country never came off their bases except to try to recapture soldiers who had escaped. The truth is the something like 95% of Soviet missiles, if ever fired, would have fallen on Russian soil. The Soviet Union in the 1980s could not have won any war. Reagan knew all of this, and still almost spent the US into bankruptcy. Why?
The Soviet Union failed because of it's own incompetence and Reagan was just lucky enough to be in office when it happened. The truth is that he was just as incompetent as the worst of the Soviets.
I agree. The cold war was won by out spending the Soviet Union with a massive military build-up. The debt we incurred is still on the books. Remember the B-1 bomber? Obsolete before it left the drawing board, yet Reagan still had a bunch of them built. Remember his Star Wars defense plan? How many hundreds of billions did that cost, for nothing? Reagan broke the backs of the working class in this country, and now the current crop of right wing maniacs want to finish us off. This Santorum guy is dangerous, even though sincere in his beliefs. Sincerely nuts, that is.
John - "modernizing our military, bringing the soviet leader to his knees and collapsing the soviet union with the berlin wall coming down."
PURE BUNK.
The right wing mythology of Raygun (a senile, inceompetent man who could manage to give a decent speech) is getting old.
Wake up and smell the coffee, bub, Raygun was a fool.
Unfortunately, candidate Santorum did not get to introduce his candidate for Secretary of State; Magic Eight Ball. Sources says when Santorum consulted with his candidate about war with Iran, the reply was, "Signs point to Yes". His previous candidate for this position, Ouija Board, was released due to possible ties with the underworld and/or Madeleine Albright.
Santorum's remarks remind me very much to Bush "You stand with us or are against us." Santorum said ""If you are a foe of the United States, and you do not respect the United States and our security interests, you will learn to fear the United States and your security interest." Just different words. Bush led the US into two wars - Afghanistan and Iraq - both still going on after over 10 years. A vote for Santorum is a vote for war. How many US and European men and women have to die for politicians who want to profit by fear mongering (either by getting rich or becoming president)? (By the way Reagan was very popular in the US, but hated in other countries because of his cowboy ways. Not a good example for foreign politics - but still he did not start a major war. Neither did Clinton or Obama.
We had a lot of doomsday prophecies - but in reality the doomsday will only come when politicians will instigate the war, which will become the final war for all of us.
Sounds like he has a "Napoleon Complex" to me. How tall is Santorum? 5'3" - 5'4", something like that?
What in the world would lead you to believe that Santorum would use facts or common sense to make a statement?
Sweater Vest Santorum on Jelly Belly road?
And Dog-on-the-car-roof Romney on the road to nowhere?
OBAMA/BIDEN 2012
"We as conservatives need to stand up and fight for a candidate that can win this general election, who stands solidly, firmly on the 3 legs of the stool that brought the Reagan coalition together,"
Give me a brake.
Give me a saw.
Foreign policy: Does he know the Atlantic for the Pacific. I know that he doesn't know Pennsylvania as he moved out of the state immediately after, our home boy, got elected to the Senate. Just one reason why the citizens of Pennsylvania, by a record breaking 18 point margin, never wanted to see him again when he ran for reelection.
How the Republicans love to boastfully lie about the legacy of the multi-adulterous, wife and political party swapping Ronald Reagan.
When governor of California, he took the state from being #1 in education to #1 in prison incarceration. Signed the no fault divorce bill and his policies are what have the state currently experiencing its financial problems.
Before becoming president he had Ollie North sabotage the Iranian hostage attempt.
Reagan's first Executive Order was to unfreeze Iranian assets the U.S. held. Reagan's nearly tripling of the deficit had nothing to do with the collapse of the former U.S.S.R., wasted on Pentagon programs that still can't function as envisioned. Taking the U.S.A. from being the #1 creditor nation to #1 debtor one in less than 8 years. Reagan raised taxes multiple times during his 2 terms in office while bloating the size of government; proving the Republicans lie about wanting less federal government spending and smaller sized government.
Reagan fomented Treason with the Iran-Contra weapons for cocaine scandal, that should have had the most convicted Felons operating the White House swinging from the ends of ropes; Wehrmacht soldiers were hung for lesser offenses. If this had happened then there would have been no Bu$h Sr or Junior administrations to continue to run roughshod over the Constitution, and no PNAC "New Pearl Harbor"9/11 or farce War of Terror. After 183 Marines were killed in Lebanon by a William Casey inspired truck bomb, he "wagged the dog" by liberating Grenada from a bunch of Cuban manual laborers. Reagan provided weapons to his "Freedom Fighters" Saddam Hussein, Osma Bin Laden and Al-CIAda, whose surpluses are the IED's killing U.S. soldiers in their illegal occupations today.
If the U.S. had followed through on the Carter Energy Policy, then it would already be operating on a grid of mass transit using 2nd-3rd generation of alternative fuels and not beholden to M.E. or Canadian tar sands oil today. The U.S. would lead the world in the desirable "Green" technology jobs and not China. Considering that China now possess over 1 trillion $'s in U.S. treasuries, it can be said the Reagan actually admired the Communism; even though there has never been a Communist country as Marx/Engels described in their manifesto.
"Extreme Mental Cruelty" is what Reagan's first wife accused him of after engaging in pre-martial sex resulting in his marrying a 3 month pregnant Nancy; that all debt slave Americans and those who have lost a loved one in the farce War of Terror can now utter this phrase too.
There is nothing to be proud of the unpatriotic, immoral and unethical Ronald Reagan or those who worked in his administration.
Stan, I have been saying the same thing about Carter for years. If you read his energy speech you would think he was speaking those words now, they are still so appropriate.
Everyone calls him the worst president, I don't think that is entirely true, he had a congress that wouldn't work with him (even the dems to some degree because he wouldn't do the backroom deals--this should appeal to the tea party people). Congress like always never wants to make the tough decisions, Jimmy Carter wanted to get the nation started towards being energy independance.
He recognized that oil is finite, so will run out eventually, that being dependant on foreign resources has the potential for a economic disaster and that starting to recognize this as a problem now will allow us to be better prepared in the future.
Just what the oil companies want you to believe that oil is finite. You better look up abiotic oil to realize that it is a byproduct of earths interior engine. The Russian's proved this.
Stan: If you don't like Reagan get on a time machine. Do you want to bring up Washington's expense account? I think the point people are making is that he substantially benefited the economy. I think JFK, a democrat, bedded more women than Reagan -- and who cares and Bill Clinton was just looking for an open mouth.
Gil-2872519 is a typical stupid Republican, thinking the Reagan economy based on massive debt "substantially benefited the economy." Where in the article does it mention JFK or Bill Clinton? Since Bill is still with his first wife you can say that his "family values"is of a higher caliber than Ronald Reagan's. Neither Bil or JFK increased the deficit the way Reagan did, foment Treason with foreign policy or deregulated the financial industry leading to massive fraud. Also I can think of several Republican's who were caught with their pants down: Newt Gingrich, Henry Hyde, Bob Barr, Bob Livingston and Larry Craig.
"We as conservatives need to stand up and fight for a candidate that can win this general election, who stands solidly, firmly on the 3 legs of the stool that brought the Reagan coalition together," Santorum said, referring to Reagan's belief in free enterprise, strong national defense, and conservative social values.
Jobs? The economy? Oh, right! That would bring up the specter of Bush and the last Republican mistake when a Republican in the WH and Republican majorities in both houses of Congress trashed the economy. Yeah, let's not mention any of that!
I have one question for Santoum: Do you realize that not everyone in this is a country an extreme right-winger? Well maybe two, Are you aware that this country is not soley comprised of evangelicals just yearning to get back to 1750? As a college educated single woman running a business I cannot imagine a world in which I would EVER vote for a neanderthal like Santorum.
M-squared, I also am college educated, and single. I couldn't vote for any of the clowns that are running against Obama.
But please don't classify Ricky as a neanderthal, that is a insult to the neanderthals. They were, by and large, smarter than Ricky will ever be. I think the only female vote Ricky will get is from his wife. Over 95 % of independent women voters have said they would not vote for the GOP this election.
"REMEMBER IN NOVEMBER" ladies!
Romney is like eating Jelly Bellies in the dark, you never know what you're going to get. He comes in all flavors, including booger. When he goes somewhere, he just lies there.
It's too bad Chris Christie isn't running
Hopefully he's waiting until 2016. And he better hope he doesn't have a heart attack in the meantime. What a fat slob, just like Rush limpdick is.
Really? Very ignorant to be calling people names. That's the trouble with these comment sites always somebody with disingenuous comments. It shows a lack of manners and civility.
Nothing but MORE PHONY SHOW by the SUPERPAC MONEY, the CORPORATES ALREADY KNOW WHO THEY'RE PUTTING UP FOR ELECTION!
Corporates, stop the waste, give your SUPERPAC MONIES to the people that need it! ETCH-A-SKETCH SAYS THE POOR CAN TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES! We, the 99% American People DON'T AGREE WITH your Mex. corporate political puppet, we think you should do something worthwhile for the American People instead of for your selfish selves! THIS IS WHAT WE THINK!!!
What can we say? A Jelly belly foriegn policy is something republican need after Romney re-invoked theold "emipire of evil" analogy the other daywhen he talked about the Russians as beingour main enemy. Wasn't heall in favor of a trade war with China a few shor tmonths ago?
Shows what an endorsemnt fromJon Hunstma nwill do to you!
Of course this is "tell themwhat theywant to hear time" in the Romney campaign-and as thedays grow longer he uses more Just for Men to cover up the grey haris.
But now it appears that Santorum is a -gasp-flip flopper too. Yes,in the great old days of his first campaign he was prochioce. Santrum needs remining of that-so for once Romney levels fair criticism-which is richly deserved in our opinion.
Santorum is now so exteme that Romney looks sane
Vote Rick Santorum for a contraceptive free America. Only Rick Santorum get rid America of the awful plague of contraceptives. If elected, this limited government super conservative will make it a top priority (along with bombing Iran) to use the power of the federal government to get rid of immorality in America.
that's not a foreign policy, that's rhetoric. but i guess his followers wouldnt know the difference anyway.