The establishment continues to tut-tut at Rick Santorum and his "wild, extremist" statements. This time they're frowning and shaking their heads at his characterization of Mitt Romney as "the worst Republican in the country to put up against Barack Obama."
Isn't there some truth in that? It's hardly a new or original thought, but rather an argument that's been made by many since Obamacare was rammed down our throats two years ago. Among Romney's various weaknesses, Romneycare is probably his most, er, severe. The issue of Obamacare, notes Charles Krauthammer, dipped below the surface for a while, but now Leviathan is back:
If Obamacare is upheld, it fundamentally changes the nature of the American social contract. It means the effective end of a government of enumerated powers — i.e., finite, delineated powers beyond which the government may not go, beyond which lies the free realm of the people and their voluntary institutions. The new post-Obamacare dispensation is a central government of unlimited power from which citizen and civil society struggle to carve out and maintain spheres of autonomy.The Romney campaign has called Santorum "desperate and angry and unhinged." If only more Americans were so ticked off about Obamacare, or at the distortions they're daily fed by the liberal media. Santorum, in a campaign email, isn't apologizing for his anger:
Figure becomes ground; ground becomes figure. The stakes could not be higher. [. . .]
Rarely has one law so exemplified the worst of the Leviathan state — grotesque cost, questionable constitutionality, and arbitrary bureaucratic coerciveness.
Like so many in our country, I'm very upset about Obamacare! And I can assure you that I will passionately fight everyday until it is repealed.About that kerfuffle with the NYT reporter:
With its big government mandates, Obamacare is nothing short of a direct assault on our Constitution, and an insult to every freedom loving American. And if it is not repealed, it will have fundamentally changed our country forever, and will lead to even more erosion of the basic freedoms and rights we have cherished since the birth of our nation.
Romneycare Equals Obamacare.
Maybe the most tragic part of all is that a member of our own party, Mitt Romney, is considered the architect of Obamacare. As Romney's own advisors have admitted, Romneycare is the blueprint for Obamacare. And today Obama's political strategist went as far as to call Romney the "Godfather" of Obamacare.
In my book, that disqualifies Romney from being our nominee. Not only does it show Romney a proponent of the type of freedom killing legislation most in our party abhor, it completely takes off the table one of the most potent issues we have to defeat Obama.
I'm Ready to Take On the New York Times.
Earlier today, while campaigning in Wisconsin, I criticized Romney and Obama for their outrageous healthcare legislation. Predictably, I was aggressively attacked by a New York Times reporter all too ready to defend the two of them, and all too ready to distort my words. Let me assure you, I didn't back down, and I didn't let him bully me. I think it is high time that conservatives find the courage to expose the liberal press for what they are, a defender and enabler of Romney's and Obama's liberal agendas.
Santorum later tried to clarify that he was talking only about Romney's ability to campaign against the national health care law championed by Obama and the Democrats. But the candidate's temper flared when he was pushed by reporters.Video here. Yes, he's angry. The guy on the radio this morning called Santorum's language "unpresidential." Maybe so; he'd have to kick it up a couple of notches to reach that level.
"On the issue of health care. That's what I was talking about, and I was very clear about talking about that. OK?" Santorum told reporters who asked him about the scathing criticism. "Come on, guys, don't do this. I mean, you guys are incredible. I was talking about Obamacare, and he is the worst because he was the author of Romneycare."
Pressed by a reporter from The New York Times, Santorum said: "Quit distorting my words. It's bulls---."
Summing up: Santorum aggressively goes after 1) Obamacare; 2) RINO Romney and Romneycare; and 3) the liberal media, who despise Santorum and conservatism as much as they salivate over Obama and his agenda. He's fighting the conservative fight with energy and sincerity. What is Mitt Romney passionate about?
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Update: Santorum: If you haven’t cursed out a NYTimes reporter during campaign, you aren’t really a Republican
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Many thanks to Pew Sitter for linking.
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It's about time somebody called these media types out on their blatant attempt to misconstrue and twist things to how they would like them to be. Unbelievable. They bait someone and then gasp and are shocked at the response. Totally disingenuous.
ReplyDeleteI think it's very refreshing to hear him tell that reporter off. Now, if he made an obscene gesture, as O did when he was running, that is definitely "unpresidential".
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