17 January 2012

A social conservative schism?

From all appearances, the Republican presidential nomination is assured for Mitt Romney following the predictable failure of the social-conservative anti-Romney unity campaign. Newt Gingrich has refused to accept the outcome of last weekend's conclave favoring Rick Santorum, and his supporters now claim that the Pennsylvanian didn't fairly earn the conclave's endorsement. Meanwhile, Gingrich brazenly calls on Santorum to quit despite the conclave, insisting shamelessly that "we have got to bring conservatives together," arguing for all intents and purposes that Santorum is too incompetent to run a national election campaign. The former Speaker hopes to convince conservative Republicans that his success in getting a Republican House of Representatives elected in 1994 means that he can get the entire nation to vote for him personally. Santorum understandably scoffs at Gingrich's bluster and the claim that Santorum's candidacy hurts Gingrich's chance to rally the conservatives. "I'm [not] hurting him, I'm beating him," Santorum says. Conservatives are supposed to be hierarchical by nature and convinced of the wisdom of deference. Republican conservatives have too many people trying to be king, and too many saying, "you're not the king of me." They're supposed to believe in ideas and values, but nothing comes before ego for Gingrich, Santorum and Perry. I'm not exactly sad that the social conservatives are having trouble advancing their agenda, but for the sake of objectivity, and with the benefit of hindsight, I can tell them that they should have voted for "None of the Above" last weekend.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think the disturbing thing for me is that the rank-and-file ought to be disgusted with the way their candidates are turning on one another. Instead, they cheer them on, as if American politics were nothing more than cheap sports entertainment as offered by Vince McMahon and the WWF.

I'm beginning to question if they understand the implications. I wonder if perhaps they think the only reason "gubbermint" exists is to give them a reason to whine.

DLW said...

I think Romney supporters may have strategically supported Santorum as Santorum's poll numbers were falling to keep his opponents divided.

We'll see if Cain surges in support now that Colbert says a vote for Cain is a vote for him.

dlw

Anonymous said...

??? Since Colbert is a comedian/entertainer, I'm really not sure that he would have any impact on the election at all and since I believe Cain has pulled out. . .

DLW said...

It'd be an embarrassment to Romney and the GOP field for Colbert to get Cain a higher percent of the vote than many....

This is politics as theater...
dlw