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His mathematical chances of winning the GOP nomination are slim. He came up short in the crucial races of Michigan and Ohio. And he just lost the GOP primary contests in DC, Maryland, and Wisconsin.
But Rick Santorum -- despite starting out this presidential season as an afterthought -- has already accomplished a few important feats that shouldn't be overlooked as attention begins turning to the general election. First, with limited campaign funds and almost no real infrastructure, he ultimately emerged as Mitt Romney's chief rival.
Jae C. Hong / AP
Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum sits in a booth at Bob's Diner in Carnegie, Pa.
In fact, Santorum's actually won more states so far than Mike Huckabee did in 2008, 11-8. And he's won as many contests as Romney did four years ago.
Second, even if he doesn't win another primary race, Santorum could be a significant player in the 2016 or 2020 presidential contests, although he would face plenty of serious competition (from the likes of Marco Rubio, Chris Christie, Bob McDonnell, etc.).
And third, and perhaps most importantly, Santorum has repaired some of the political damage he sustained in 2006, when he lost his Senate re-election bid in Pennsylvania by a whopping 18 percentage points, 59%-41%.
"It's hard to argue Sen. Santorum hasn't significantly raised his profile nationally among Republican voters, donors and members of the media due to his primary campaign performance," GOP strategist Danny Diaz tells First Read.
Of course, it's exactly that repaired political image, Republican political observers say, that could be at stake in the April 24 primary in his home state of Pennsylvania. A win there could justify him staying in the presidential contest -- and could serve as a springboard to the May primary races.
But a loss in his home state could be embarrassing. A recent Quinnipiac University poll, conducted before Tuesday's primaries, showed Santorum leading Romney by only six points in the state, 41%-35%.
As GOP political consultant Mike Murphy, who once worked for Romney, tweeted, "Will [Santorum] figure out this week that his potential '16 hand is now stronger than his '12 hand and fold? Or stay in and ruin his long game?"
And if he decides to stay in the race, how he campaigns could be just as important to his reputation, Republicans argue.
"The story until now is a pretty compelling one about a leader who rose from also-ran status to one-time front-runner. If he gets out now, or stays in but runs a positive-only campaign, that narrative will remain largely intact," says GOP political adviser Todd Harris.
"But if he continues with a quixotic slash-and-burn campaign against the man everyone knows is going to be our nominee, he risks being remembered not as a come-from-behind leader, but as a petulant politician who put selfish self-interest ahead of defeating President Obama."
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And, bear in mind, it is not the social conservatives that will save the day but; the fiscal conservatives. Saintorum doesn't even know how to run a calculator, has no idea how bad the economy is and could care less. Let's just get everyone to Church and it will all go away.. I can't stand his whimpering and whining..
Santorum represents the Radical Right Wing of the New wacko GOP. Thanks to the crazy TeaBagger nuts, he is getting some, but not enough traction.
Like a fart in a dive suit, Santorum will go away. But not without a lingering stink for Romney.
Obama 2012, in a landslide...
Nawww! - Bull@!$%#! You know what Santorum's ride was all about? Money! Only money! Ricky will prosper no matter who the eventual candidate is! Good for him! The sad thing is Ricky can't create anything that makes jobs for his country. I mean, really, is this man an engineer? Does he create anything? No.
He is a moron. He is a politician. He creates nothing!
I consider myself somewhat of a conservative -- I prefer Ron Paul.
I can also spot a d-bag when I see one. Rick Santorum is an immoral self-absorbed power hungry hypocrite who doesn't have the courage to admit when he's made a simple mistake--and ends up bending the truth, and I don't think the guy could think himself out of a paper bag.
As much as I agree with your assement of Santorum, its only fair that he get a chance to run for the office. The good thing is ... we don't have to vote for him. If a bunch of weiner whistlers want to vote for Santorum - that is their legal, constitutional right.
They also have to accept that when he loses, he lost... no do-overs. Next time pick a better horse to run the race.
Guess the book & DVD sales aren't what they used to be... even when he forces a campaign staffer to don an elephant costume! lol
You think santorum can hit Willard up for a contribution or two?
Breaking News: Upon hearing this devastating news, Callista was spotted at Tiffany's & her credit card was 'smoking'...
Santorum is at least honest to a tee. Obummermao is the least honest prez that has been if office since Richard.
Liberetards are so entrenched in dishonesty that can't remember which lie they told last. Narcissistic's all tend to believe that they superior to all and believe their lies are the devout truth. Totally evident in the present farce of Obummermao and the judicial system. If he is re-elected then he will advance the excutive branch, him, as the all mighty power grabber of all times.
Mr. Santorum leaves much to be desired. He occasionally leaves truth far behind in the dust. However. I believe he is basically honest and his lapses are due to misguided enthusiasm and poor fact checking not malicious dishonesty and conscious disdain for the truth which are inextricable parts of Mr. Romney's character. Mr. Romney, like President Obama, would say anything no matter how inaccurate, distorted or mendacious to serve his purposes. Hang in there Mr. Santorum. We need an honest man in the White House, no matter how much we may disagree on individual issues.
Maybe what Santorum needs is a "teleprompter"... he sure ain't connecting with intelligent voters when he shoots from the lip.
Apparently, Teabaggers have chosen to fixate on the idea that The President does as well (in public speaking) "only" because he uses a teleprompter. If you don't have a better idea, then follow those who do.
The long and the short of it is in this case - public speaking, fund raising and prioritizing the recovery; as well as showing how to run a Federal Government - the GOPpers / Teabaggers coven have a lot to learn from President Obama (and its killing them - day by day it obvious that there is a total mind meltdown going on over there in Conservative Land)
The autobiographies of the Palin, Gingrich and Santorum were written with visual aids. Lots and lots of pretty pictures.
(it was deemed too difficult to produce an audio book - no one was fit to speak the dialect of Teabagger ... too garbled to understand with your mouth full)
In essence, out of respect for the limitations of their constituency ... they all had ghost writers produce comic books - in hard cover.
Romney was much more prudent, he produced, and sold vouchers instead of putting out a book - the book will be presented later after he has gathers a committee to decide what he stands for.
LOL....
Guess the book & DVD sales aren't what they used to be... even when he forces a campaign staffer to don an elephant costume! lol
You think santorum can hit Willard up for a contribution or two?
Breaking News: Upon hearing this devastating news, Callista was spotted at Tiffany's & her credit card was 'smoking'...