Under Southern Skies

Published Wednesday, March 14, 2012 A.D. | By Donald R. McClarey

Rick Santorum’s campaign has been truly remarkable. From being a defeated two term Senator from Pennsylvania, on a Quixotic no cash campaign for President which no observer, including the writer of this post, thought he had any chance of doing anything with other than being an asterisk, he has become the leader of Republican conservatives opposed to the nomination of Romney, aka the Weathervane. Last night’s dual victories in Alabama and Mississippi underlined this.

Newt Gingrich vows that he is still staying in, but we shall see if long term he wishes to continue helping Romney get the nomination, since that will be the result if he continues his vanity campaign. Whether Santorum does ultimately become the nominee or not, he has run a campaign for the record books in showing how drive and determination can be offsetting advantages against a candidate who has endless funds but lacks both of those attributes, and is also deeply unpopular with the base of of his party.

3 Responses to Under Southern Skies

PM says:

Wednesday, March 14, 2012 A.D. at 9:27am

Not only among the other candidates, but also in this alligator-infested swamp. His drive and determination remind me of the Hunters of Kentucky post from last week.
Leticia Velasquez says:

Wednesday, March 14, 2012 A.D. at 9:48am

I think last night highlighted one thing for the American voter; the character of each candidate. Romney won’t admit defeat gracefully, so he fled the scene. Gingrich took credit for Santorum’s victory saying ‘We showed them’. And RIck Santorum first thanked God for his victory, then his wife, children and supporters.
Guess which of these men I support?
Greg Mockeridge says:

Wednesday, March 14, 2012 A.D. at 12:33pm

While Santorum’s campaign has been remarkable, it has more to do with circumstances than it does with Santorum’s ability as a candidate. He is the last not-Romney standing. Newt, despite a short lived surge, was never going to overcome his baggage.

The staying power of the not-Romney campaign waged by a significant portion of the conservative base with Rush Limbaugh and Mark Levin as its main megaphones is even more more remarkable. They gave voice to what many in the base feel that the GOP establishment is trying to shove Romney down their throats.

There are of course other reasons why the not-Romney sentiment has lasted. A good part of it has to do with some of his gaffes (I’m not concerned about the very poor -) and his being a rather boring personality to name of couple of things. There is also the issue of his being a Mormon. This is especially true in the south. Don’t think for a minute that a Mormon is not going to have trouble with southern Evangelical protestant conservatives.