Maggie, I agree with you that for the Paul team to cite the leftist CREW in the way they did was a low blow, and the rest of the commercial comes with the usual attack ad trimmings. At the same time, it makes a fair point in contrasting Santorum’s current attempts to create an aw shucks outsider image with the actual Beltway reality.
After making the necessary allowances for the fact that it comes from the New York Times, this piece is worth reading. Here’s an extract:
Mr. Santorum enjoyed unusually close ties to Washington lobbyists while in office. For several years, he held regular breakfast meetings with a handpicked group of 30 to 40 power players, ostensibly to brief them on the Republican agenda. But the meetings began with a representative of the Republican National Committee circulating a list of open jobs at trade associations and other lobbying shops, according to one participant.
The jobs list was part of a carefully plotted effort by party activists and leaders to make sure these positions were filled by Republican loyalists, an effort that was championed by Tom DeLay in the House and came to be known as the “K Street Project.”
The meetings became a lightning rod for criticism during Mr. Santorum’s unsuccessful 2006 Senate re-election campaign. Mr. Santorum would later deny being part of the K Street Project, but his support for the effort was reported in several news accounts. And while he was never accused of wrongdoing, the harsh glare from the attacks ultimately forced him to step aside from his role spearheading ethics reform legislation in the wake of the scandal involving the lobbyist Jack Abramoff.
In 2006, Mr. Santorum led all federal candidates in contributions from lobbyists and their family members, taking in roughly $500,000, nearly 40 percent more than the next closest candidate, Senator George Allen, a Virginia Republican, according to data compiled by the Center for Responsive Politics [That’s CREW, of course]. That tightknit relationship could make it difficult for him to appeal to Tea Party members and other voters yearning for a candidate free of inside-the-Beltway taint.
But readers should take a look at the whole thing, and judge for themselves. Was I terribly surprised? Unfortunately not: it’s how American government currently works and, Santorum is, for good or bad, ultimately a government guy.
Update
Corrected: The Center for Responsive Politics is not CREW. It’s a different group. My apologies for the error.
Indeed Mr. Stuttaford...
Santorum entered Congress only 5 years after finishing Law School, and stayed in Washington for 17 years. He did not want to leave, and lost dramatically in his last election.
I just typed a similar response for Ms. Gallagher.
Both are Washington Politicians, Rick with 17 years, Newt with decades in the Beltway. Newt and Rick lack the essentials for the Presidency, having no proven executive experience, no private sector ability, no genuine economic credentials, and a deep association with the Beltway when Americans hold the Washington Politician in contempt. They would only reelect Obama in 2012. Just like McCain, you cannot run Washington Politicians without the essentials for the Presidency, it is asking for a loss.
Also, one can blame a lot of this 'grouping' of Newt and Rick on the fashion amongst us. Some are stuck on identity, even believing Newt or Rick are on a certain "side". Rick and Newt are responsible, having played into the stereotyping to further themselves amongst the sound side. Those stuck on the superficial, will naturally group them together. FOX has been selling this weak association, fabricating a Gingrich-Santorum pact to stop Romney. We watched similar efforts in 2008, with the other Public Sector offerings of Rudy, the Maverick, Huckabee, etc., being pitted against the Private Sector product of Mr. Romney.
Ironically, Ron Paul is just another Washington Player as well, entering the Beltway as far back as 1976. He too lacks sincere credibility, selling a mantra which absolutely contradicts his true existence. He is taking so many for a big ride.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseIt'll work simply because Santorum is such a fraud. He likes to say he's a Reagan conservative but in fact he's the anti-Reagan. Bottom line, Santorum is an idiot.
The Heart and Soul of Conservatism is libertariansim---Ronald Reagan 1975
The nine most terrifying words in the English language are, 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help.'-----Ronald Reagan
Rick Santorum on the role of government
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The very fact that some at National Review are promoting this big government statist is a sad testament to the once flagship magazine of the conservatism.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseRick Santorum is one of the more articulate, principled and courageous conservatives out there. I don't agree with him on everything. But I worked for him for four years in the 1990s and know first-hand that he is a good and decent man. It is one thing for liberals to try to destroy him, but for other conservatives to try to destroy him because they may disagree with him on a thing or two is counter-productive and sad.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI'm surprised Santorum is being taken seriously by so many. No one who wants to base public policy on his moral opposition to birth control can be elected President, and that's good. His work on abortion has been first rate and for that he is owed a debt of gratitude. But he has no chance to win the presidency and no chance to win the nomination.
I believe only two Republicans have a chance to beat Obama; they are Romney and Huntsman. One is a Mormon, family man, lifelong conservative, former governor, with lots of money; the other is the father of Obamacare and has the endorsement of John McCain. Take your pick.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseSo Romney or Romney?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseNot even Rick Santorum wants to base public policy based on his personal stand on contraception. He has said this over and over. Now, he will probably defund contraception and birth control. And really, should you be making your neighbors buy your condoms?
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse"That tightknit relationship could make it difficult for him to appeal to Tea Party members"
I don't think Santorum wants a relationship with the TEA party.
In this clip he says they are trying to redefine conservatism (and not in a good way)
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Reply to this commentLinkReport Abusethanks for the link. Rick Santorum represents everything that's wrong with the Republican party today. He's a Dubya Bush Republican. In other words, a disaster from start to finish.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseRick Santorum is a completely useless candidate with no real support whatsoever.
Jonah Goldberg had it 100% correct (and Charles K totally wrong) that Iowa was just a game of musical chairs and Rick happened to be sitting when the music was up.
Iowa was saying, let's take a first look at this guy (so we can remember what a total disaster he is) NOT "here's the GUY!"
The sooner Santorum runs out of cash and leaves the race the better.
If it comes down to a race between Romney and Santorum, there is NO Republican Party anymore.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseYes, the Republican who denied he was one, to Ted Kennedy, is the only viable one, the one that saddled us with the unviable MassCare, and designer of the RGGI, Santorum's victory was a defeat for Hillarycare.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseSantorum did more than line his pockets as a Washington insider corporate lobbyist at the expense of taxpayers.
"Compassionate conservative" Santorum on small government, quote:
"They have this idea people should be left alone, be able to do whatever they want to do, government should keep our taxes down & regulations low, that we shouldn't get involved in the bedroom or cultural issues. That is not the traditional conservative view of the world."
Santorum has trashed the Tea Party for "redefining conservatism". That redefinition he insists, forgets certian "societal obligations" that are written into us as human beings and that have to be met in one way or another.
This explains Santorum's endorsement for the Big Gov't progressive agenda & his "societal obligations" voting record--i.e.,
Prescription Drug Bill--Medicare D--creating 16 trillion in unfunded liabilities..
No Child Left Behind.
Transportation Bill boondoggle--2005
Bridge to Nowhere (over Katrina relief)
An increase in the Earned Income Credit
Voted to raise the debt ceiling 5 times.
Voted to double the federal Department of Education.
Voted for Aids Relief--15 billion.
Voted for milk subsidies.
Urged government involvement in housing with Fannie & Freddie.
Voted for Sarbanes-Oxley,--major job killing accounting regulations on businesses.
Supported rasing taxes on oil companies--costing Americans more for gas.
Voted multiple times in favor of Big Labor's radical agenda.
In the 104th Congress Santorum joined liberal Democrats to filibuster the Bill 5. 1788, the National Right to Work Bill of 1995.
Voted to retain the Davis-Bacon Act that forces taxpayers to pay union wages in government funded construction & gives Big Labor an unfair advantage over non-union companies and workers.
Edorsed & campaigned for pro-abortion, anti-gun, anti-right to work Arlen Spector & Christine Todd Whitman--over pro-life, pro-gun, pro right to work candidates.
Voted for gun control Lautenberg Gun Ban & checks at gun shows.
In 2005 voted with anti-gun liberal senators to mandate locks on hand guns.
Voted 25 million in foreign aid to North Korea.
Voted for Social Security benefits for illegals, while voting against an additional 1,000 troops on the U.S. borders.
Voted for the National Endowment For the Arts.
Voted to send hundreds of millions of taxpayer's dollars to Planned Parenthood.
Voted for Earmarks/Pork galore--& brags about it.
"In 2006 Santorum led all fed candidates in contributions from lobbyists & their family members, taking in roughly $500,000--nearly 40% more than the next closest candidate."
Santorum was the senate liasion for to the K-Street Project--corporate influence peddling.
Santorum leeched nearly $400,000 as a board member responsible for oversight for Universal Health Services during the period that public healthcare provider is accused of systemic abuse & fraud--& under investigation by the DOJ.
Santorum conned $73,000 from Pa falsely claiming residency.
Gingrich & Santorum. No wonder.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseRick Santorum is Christine O'Donnell with better DC connections and several dozen more IQ points.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI don't begrudge any man his insider politics... as long as those politics are of the small government kind. Ron Paul is the only reasonable choice for those who want smaller government. He's dead right about Santorum. Admittedly very few Americans are really interested in small government. If it's 25% I'd be surprised. However, small government, to include a much smaller military, and virtually no involvement in overseas adventures is coming no matter what you believe. Reality is about to win out. The economic situation in the US isn't sustainable to say the least. Without money the big government dreams of most so-called conservatives like Newt Romtorum will wither. My advice is not to worry too much about the central government. We went off the cliff two years ago... we're just waiting for the big splat. In fact buy some popcorn and gather round with your family to watch the show. This is going to be the most amusing sitcom ever. The theme will be the consternation of the vast majority of Americans who don't want Ron Paul, but get him anyway by virtue of reality.
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