Rickie on Romney
Rick Santorum, Mitt Romney's harshest critic during the primaries, continues to offer thoughts on why Mitt might not win.
Rickie on Romney
John Baer, Daily News Political Columnist
If Rick Santorum is anything, he is consistent.
He, for example, was consistently critical of Mitt Romney during the GOP primary race. He pounded the Mittman harder and longer than even the sharp-tongued Newt.
And the basic message was always the same: Romney is the wrong Republican to run against Obama.
Well, on the eve of Mitt’s coronation in Tampa, Rick remains a bearer of bon mots when it comes to Romney’s chances come November.
In an interview with Howard Kurtz for The Daily Beast, Rick said the following:
“If the campaign is about issues, we win. If it’s about Mitt Romney’s record as a businessman, then we don’t win. If it’s about Mitt Romney’s tax returns, then we don’t win. If it’s about whether people like Mitt Romney more than Barack Obama, then we don’t win.”
Hmmm.
Let’s see. Rick likely would say his comments are taken out of context if anyone in the liberal elite media were to point out sort of obvious conclusions about his comments, but here goes anyway.
A focal point of Mitt’s campaign is his ability to better manage the economy based mostly on his experience as a successful businessman. Yet Santorum suggests that record is not a winning one.
A backdrop of the race is Democrats’ contention that Mitt’s un-yielded tax returns prove that he’s got either politically-questionable investments or so much money overseas at a time the U.S. economy needs investments at home that he can be painted as a rich person who prizes profit over patriotism. So Rick suggests that discussion equals a Romney loss.
Finally, since so many elections are flooded with issues, facts, counter-facts and blurred arguments and often turn on something as simple as the likability of the candidate, Santorum flat out says people don’t like Mitt as much as they like Obama. And a new USA Today/Gallup Poll says Obama holds a 23-point advantage over Romney in likeability.
So Santorum might prove to be more than consistent. He might prove in this instance to be right – no matter what he says in his convention speech scheduled for Tuesday.
- Nitro. You lack the same reading comprehension skills that Jfar lacks. Last time, what I said was: Willard not showing his tax returns is a reflection of his character (or lack thereof)in that Americans would see how much of his money he's hidden in off shore accounts TO AVOID PAYING TAXES. If may be legal to do that, but it's not honorable.
Now, If you're ok with Romney hiding his money in off shore accounts so he doesn't have to pay taxes, so be it. I have a problem with it, and I'll wager so do a lot of other people who don't hide their money to avoid paying taxes.— CommonSense in Philly - .
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Caring whether or not Santor-nut is correct on any issue is way down there on my list next to
how long does the shedded skin of a snake take to decompose
into the dirt.— Redwoodser - Consider the source....— dogman5
- Mr. Obama made his one-and-only mark in the Illinois legislature by derailing a born-alive act that would have spared infants who survived abortion (arguments that existing legislation did the trick have been disproved). He used his opponent's divorce documents to gain an edge in his race for the U. S. Senate. As soon as he was elected senator, Mrs. Obama got a raise in salary from $120,000.00 to $300,000.00. Mr.and Mrs. Obama got a major down payment on their Chicago home from a deal brokered by a convicted felon. Mr. Obama's closest adviser, Valerie Jarrett, has holdings in Chicago properties that are appraised at ridiculous levels in comparison to market value.
Mr. and Mrs. Obama chose as their mentor a foolish, ranting old bigot and spent twenty years under his wing, until it was time to deny ever really knowing him. Mr. Obama fixed contracts for his campaign cronies in the solar industry, even after independent analysts warned him the business model of these companies was about to collapse. Mr. Obama and Mr. Holder shipped enough AK-47's to Mexico to get 200 people killed and they have spent the last several years in a Watergate-worthy cover-up of this disaster. They repudiated their own alibi that the program was a Bush carryover when they amended false testimony before the House. Mr. Obama: the competence of Carter, the charm of Nixon.— celtic - Very good Celtic. Now do that same analysis on Romney and Ryan and watch how your hair stands on end! — CommonSense in Philly
- I don't think Willard is worried about the election. I don't even think he's going to steal the election. I think he's going to overthrow the government. Look at his arrogance about his campaign in not answering questions. Look at how he dissed the President with a "birther" remark today. Everyone get out your copy of "Seven Days in May" and pray that there's a "Kirk Douglas" character in the Office of the Joint Chiefs. The Republicans are scaring me with their arrogance. The funny part is that,now, I really do think that Congressman Ryan may truly be the leader of the ticket.(gulp)— BigDipper
- AND, Willard has not released twelve years of complete tax returns that show the taxes he paid as an individual and the taxes that his trusts have paid. Willard's not running for President. He's taking over.— BigDipper
- Couldn't you just hear Paul Ryan yelling "tear'em up, Ben" like Willard did in both movies...this is getting sicker and sicker...no wonder the Second Amendments folks are polishing up their submachine guns and protecting the guns. "Lyin with Ryan" ain't gonna matte— BigDipper
- Can't you just hear Paulie Ryan yelling "tear'em up, Ben" to Willard like in the movies, "Ben," and "Willard?" These boys and their followers aren't racists. They are insane zealots! The Second Amendment folks are polishing up their submachine guys.
— BigDipper - I guess I shouldn't be surprised but it seems that Mr. Baer never learned about split infinitives.— factsarestubbornthings
- Poor Little Rickie you couldn't help yourself, your self destructive envy has probably put the nail in your pathetic political career. Once Romney becomes President you shall be forever be considered and outcast and a kook. So feed negative stories to your buddies in the liberal media all you want but the smart people are not listening to you. You shall be relegated to the land of Ron Paul and Linden Larouche.— Speak-truth-2-power
- Mr. Baer why don't you critique the flick about "Obama's America 2016." I'm sure we would all love to see your take on it. Unless you do not have the stomach for it.— FocusTruthFully
- Interesting...not since Joe (not LIAR/LIAR) stood up to his party before becoming an independent after he was censured, has a dumbocrat questioned Obama. So John, what's your point other than proof that republicans are not attached at the hip the way your party is?— lefty
- Mr. Romney has few topics about which he can now speak. One by one, the substantive topics for debate are disappearing, deemed too problematic for the Romney campaign to address. Business acumen, experience as governor, US Olympics, Romney budget, women's issues, immigration reform, all toxic. Mr. Romney is reduced to dragging out the birther baggage to pad his stump speeches and give his base a few crumbs. And to call attention away from his flip-flopping on all important issues.
But what is the single issue on which Mr. Romney has never flip-flopped? He stands doggedly firm on never, under any circumstances, releasing his tax returns.
Why?
It is not just liberals who want to see Romney's tax returns.
It is 63% of American voters who do.
The longer Mr. Romney delays, the more suspicious it appears.
Obama released 8 years of tax returns
GW Bush 10 years
Clinton 12 years
GHW Bush 14 years
George Romney 12 years.
What is there to hide?
Release the tax returns, Mr. Romney.
— MGarr - Well Said MGarr. And all true. — CommonSense in Philly
John is the author of the book "On The Front Lines of Pennsylvania Politics: Twenty-Five Years of Keystone Reporting" (The History Press, 2012). Reach John at baerj@phillynews.com.
