It is well known among the punditocracy that for more than six years I have been a, indeed perhaps the, foremost advocate of former Pennsylvania senator Rick Santorum’s fitness for the presidency. I think he is a superb public servant and an even finer man.
So, in light of Rich Lowry’s speculation (which I share) that Santorum might be a smart choice for Donald Trump’s running mate and that he probably is being seriously vetted, one might ask if that makes me reconsider my outspoken #NeverTrump stance.
Easy answer: No. Not even close.
Trump is just that bad.
I’ve also been known as a big supporter of Indiana governor Mike Pence. Pence in recent days has been prominently mentioned as a Trump veep possibility. Would I consider voting for a Trump-Pence ticket? No way, Jose.
Trump is just that bad. There is no lipstick that can cover up his piggishness. He is a lifelong con man and vulgarian with a long record of trampling ordinary Americans, cheating the system, trafficking in bigotry, and advocating horrendously unethical public policy and advocating (and reportedly participating in) even worse private behavior. Trump is no more fit to be president of this great nation than his pal Vladimir Putin is. If Santorum or Pence, or anybody else decent, joins Trump’s presidential ticket, they do not elevate Trump; they lower themselves and show themselves somewhat less worthy of respect.