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May 18, 2013
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 Romney and Santorum: The Warmongers!Posted on Feb 24, 2012If this was the last Republican debate, or the last important one, it was as entertaining and revealing as most of the previous 19. And scary.
Politically, Mitt Romney did what he wanted to do. With help from cranky old Ron Paul and Newt Gingrich, who seemed engagingly detached from the whole thing, Romney hung Washington, the Republicans’ favorite punching bag, around his new principal opponent, Rick Santorum. He actually got Santorum, a self-proclaimed outsider, to defend the way Washington works and accuse Romney of being an outsider who does not understand the ways of the hated capital.
Paul delivered the knockout punch after Santorum said that as a senator he had supported President George W. Bush’s No Child Left Behind legislation because:
"Sometimes you take one for the team, for the leader." Then, for good measure, he added: "You don’t know what you’re talking about."
Paul retorted: "He calls this a team sport. He has to go along to get along, and that’s the way the team plays, but that’s what the problem is with Washington."
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Romney’s self-confidence and the homework he obviously did on Santorum’s congressional record carried the night. Santorum was on the defensive most of the time, Paul was also all over the former Pennsylvania senator, and Gingrich, leaning back and smiling or laughing a good deal of the time, did not seem to much care about opponents he clearly sees as less than his intellectual equals. He topped himself when the moderator, CNN’s John King—CNN has done a terrific job on these debates and made them the centerpiece of the Republican primary campaign—asked each man to describe himself with one word. Paul said, "Consistent." True. Santorum said, "Courageous." C’mon. Romney said, "Resolute." Really, you old flip-flopper? Gingrich delighted the crowd by saying, "Cheerful."
That was the second Comedy Central-ready line, or word, in the debate. Paul topped all when King asked him why he called Santorum "a fake," meaning fake conservative. Paul’s answer: "Because he’s a fake."
So it’s possible that Romney has eliminated the last man standing, the late-surging Santorum. But if I were a Republican and all I had as evidence was last Wednesday’s show, I’d vote for Paul. I know he has as much chance of winning as I do, but he was the only guy up there who did not seem ready and anxious for war, in Syria, in Iran, in any pre-emptive place the others could think of. That was what was scary, particularly about Romney and Santorum.
Despite the country’s economic condition, and the fact that we are running out of military men because of disasters in Iraq and Afghanistan, the two leading Republican candidates seem ready to pull the intervention trigger again, with a kind of glee. They essentially attacked President Obama for not going into the Syrian civil war or using Israel as a surrogate to attack Iran.
While they were at it, Gingrich called for more American covert action in that part of the world. Interesting. Santorum called the president "timid" when it is obvious that Obama is a big fan of covert action and is undoubtedly doing much more of that than we now know. Romney went further, saying we, the United States, have a chance to "change the history of the world" by going for broke in the Middle East.
Paul, the old isolationist, jumped both Romney and Santorum, calling their ideas "reckless and risky." Then he added: "Why are we going to war so carelessly ... Unnecessary wars, offensive, undeclared."
Why indeed? Where have these guys been these last eight years?
So for two hours, I was a Paul man. I’ve always thought he was a little nutty, but not as nutty as going into more unwinnable wars.
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By Blueokie, February 25, 2012 at 1:21 pm Link to this comment
After Angle and Ensign imploded the Nevada Republican Party it was Ron Paul’s people who stepped in to rebuild the structure looking at his upcoming Presidential run. Paul’s early lead was given to Romney, most of Paul’s support in the Nevada caucus came from one time, single issue voters and the State committee (with the Paul campaigns support) ignored those participants and
gave the state to Romney.
In the Maine caucus, with only 5,000 votes, the three counties where Paul is the strongest, recorded a grand combined total of 0 votes. There was nary a peep from the “revolution” about either of these two events, the Paul campaign, in essence, handed both states to the Romney campaign.
If you wonder why the answer is easy, Paul is backing Ronmey. Ever notice how incendiary comments are never made between Romney and Paul in the debates? Did you Paulies ever really believe this professional candidate was serious? For his considerations Uncle Paul and his son Ayn will get speeches at the convention, and Ayn will be installed in the family business of trying to make things better for white people born well to do and install the Constitution of the Republic of Texas as the law of the land.
Romney isn’t black, Santorum isn’t Mormon, and Obama isn’t bat sh*t crazy, regardless which of these three win in November we will get a neo-con, supply sider wo will continue to direct what will be at its core the 4th term of George W. Bush.
Report thisBy Shenonymous, February 25, 2012 at 11:53 am Link to this comment
Frankly Paul_GA I don’t really care how you take what I say. Change
that lasts is always slow. “Slow but sure” is the way the saying goes.
Keep your eyes and mind open and maybe it won’t be so impercep-
tible.
And Gandalf also says….”Straight through the forest is your way now.
Don’t stray off the track! If you do, it is a thousand to one you will
never find it again and never get out of Mirkwood; and then I don’t
suppose I, or any one else, will ever see you again.” “Do we really
have to go through?” groaned the hobbit.” “Yes, you do!” said the
wizard, “if you want to get to the other side. You must either go
through or give up your quest.”
I am pledged to the liberal political ideology. I will not stray off track,
and am determined to get over the hell on earth the Ultra-Right Wing
conservative Republicans have cast us in. I will not give up my quest.
Yup, it is my conclusion that Obama will lead this country out of the
doldrums he was ushered into. I never expected it would be
instantaneous as his detractors have. It was a more treacherous patrol
than he imagined it would be with even more deliberate subversion by
immoral retrograde plutocrats. Who would have ever imagined that a
once honorable Republican Party would descend into the hands of the
worst pack of lying asshole suckups to the world of money it has?
Much obliged Leefeller for reminding truthdippers about Ron Paul’s
Report thismisogyny.
By Leefeller, February 25, 2012 at 10:13 am Link to this comment
Ron Paul the alleged libertarian, wants government to tell women what they should or should not do with their bodies, dost not sound to libertine to me, he would impose his moral judgment on others Ron Paul appears at home with three ringed hypocritical circus.
Report thisBy Paul_GA, February 25, 2012 at 9:53 am Link to this comment
Well, Shenonymous, I take it that you want either the Status Quo, or change that is so glacially slow as to be virtually imperceptible. Perhaps you’ll get it; then again, perhaps not. To paraphrase Gandalf in The Hobbit, we’re over the Edge of the Wild now, and in for all sorts of fun wherever we go.
Report thisBy Leefeller, February 25, 2012 at 9:49 am Link to this comment
Ron Paul offers one or two acceptable ideas, the rest are deluded and sexist. Santorum must be a plant by the Democrats to make sure people vote for Obama. Romney seems to have two oars in the water but is incapable of knowing how to use them himself.
Look these Republican ass holes are all filler for 2016, the Republicans know they cannot beat Obama this time around and are keeping their Favorited pets on a leash.
Report thisBy Shenonymous, February 25, 2012 at 7:43 am Link to this comment
War is the correct adjective, not a noun. For it will be a warring
season that has devastating consequences. It was bound to happen
and with Santorum’s rising star it looks like it might happen sooner
than it naturally would have. There has long been fundamentalism
in the Christian Protestant religion showing up in Baptist and
Presbyterian denominations, but now Santorum has brought to light
the Catholic Fundamentalists. And what is inexorable is the conflict
between which view will ascend to dominate the Christian religion.
Forget about Mormonism as it appeals only to a cultish faction in a
small corner of Christianity. Franklin Graham made the clear point that
Christianity can only be called Christian that has descended from Martin
Luther. This is the fundamentalist view. Santorum’s Catholic brand goes
almost to the gnostic version. Most at this time will turn a blind eye that
this cosmic battle will with no doubt have to happen, and will be as much
a battle as the one between Christianity and Islam, which will go on
simultaneously. These dynamics need to be watched if the humanity is
to survive intact.
Ron Paul’s insanity dovetails right in with those ultraradical conservatives
Report thishaving reactionary Venetian blind minds where the shades are closed to
the good of the nation’s citizenry. His Valley of Death would destroy
democracy where each and every person’s birthright includes dignity and
impartial opportunity to achieve and maintain a decent life . Democracy
makes three vital promises: That each person regardless family ancestry
or physical attributes have a right to life, liberty and to pursue happiness
as they think would be fulfilling. The libertarian motive would obstruct
this. Personal freedom and worship of acquisition transcends the
collective good. You can have him. I will take the right to health,
welfare, and education of the American people over him any day.
By Paul_GA, February 25, 2012 at 5:07 am Link to this comment
Not to worry, Artsy; I’m with Dr. Paul all the way—and I hope that, if he loses the Repub nomination, he runs as a third-party candidate; otherwise, I’ll most likely sit this one out come November ...
Report thisBy Artsy, February 25, 2012 at 4:08 am Link to this comment
Santorum is a “religious and social” monstrosity. It feels like this guy was found in a time capsule left on Mars about 200 years ago.
Perhaps he does not women to use birth control so he can take us into more wars. Perhaps those babies are his future front lines.
Romney is a “yes” man run by war mongers but at least he talks right. Santorum makes my skin crawl. Gingrich represents everything I hate about Washington’s insiders - the criminal element.
Ron Paul is THE ONLY choice. He could be the choice Americans of both parties on deck to vote for him. We must use our minds and our collective voice to get his message out. There should be a write-in space on all ballots - please tell everyone to use it. R o n P a u l
Power to the people! Ron Paul! Liberty is it - RIGHT NOW!
Report thisBy Beak50, February 25, 2012 at 4:03 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
The only way of having a non-nuclear Iran is to turn the Whole country into a radioactive paradise.Tomorrow give them a one week warning for those who wish to flee under U.N. supervision.Then start using the whole country as an example and turn it into the next H-Bomb testing site.Only if Curt Lemay were alive to see this!
Report thisBy Artsy, February 25, 2012 at 3:57 am Link to this comment
Santorum is a “religious and social” monstrosity. He does not women to use birth control so he can take us into more wars. Perhaps those babies are his future front lines. That makes me wonder the real child count deaths and maiming in all our stinking wars to date.
Romney is a “yes” man run by war mongers but at least he talks right. Santorum makes my skin crawl. Gingrich represents everything I hate about Washington’s insiders.
Ron Paul is THE ONLY choice. He should be the choice Americans of both parties on deck to vote for him. We must use our minds and our collective voice to get his message out. There should be a write-in space on all ballots - please tell everyone to use it.
Power to the people! Ron Paul! Liberty is it!
Report thisBy race_to_the_bottom, February 24, 2012 at 9:49 pm Link to this comment
The imperialists are cornered and are therefore more dangerous. The whole world sees that the finance capitalist model is dead in the water as socialism with Chinese characteristics steams ahead. This is simply a fact. It doesn’t matter who does or doesn’t like this fact.
Report thisBy Ivan G, February 24, 2012 at 5:59 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
These guys are willing to fight to the last drop of
Report thissomebody else’s blood.
By berniem, February 24, 2012 at 3:16 pm Link to this comment
Pity it is that when one finishes looking at this bunch of reactionary clowns what remains is Obama! The ruling class of this nation has never appeared this pathetic but dangerous! The entire system is corrupt and is no longer even remotely responsive or accountable to the people.
Report thisBy Paul_GA, February 24, 2012 at 11:34 am Link to this comment
As I recall reading about Mahatma Gandhi once, Ron Paul could be described as “a strangely sane old man in a world going mad”.
Report thisBy JackAttack, February 24, 2012 at 9:26 am Link to this comment
That Ron Paul is a “little nutty” and is
Report thisthe sanest person in the room
regarding warmongering, should give
us pause. Thank god he’s not a “little
slutty” or he might be a VP candidate
(apologies to Anita Hill, not so much
to Sarah Palin).