Rick Santorum had a great moment in the South Carolina CNN debate when he pointed out that Romney will not be able to challenge Obama on National Health Care when his State Of Massachusetts' mandatory health care plan was the very model that Obama used in crafting his national plan. He related the bloated costs and delayed care problems that Massachusetts's citizens are enduring because of this mandate.

He also hit Newt for his past support of mandates and his more recent proposal to allow a $150,000 bond in it's stead. (Now if I can only come up with $150 K)

Santorum just keeps looking better and better. It may or may not be too late for him to gain his traction, but it doesn't make him any less the best conservative candidate.

http://www.therightscoop.com/santoru...er-romneycare/

So what you are saying is that, if elected, Mitt would not attempt to repeal Obamacare, even though he says that he would.
By that line of logic, Rick would support every piece of pork that Congress would pass.
Okay, I understand now.

I need to see more about his past performance(s) and accomplishments.
Remember Obama came from behind/nowhere and started looking "better and better" to enough people too!.

If I had to choose between Santorum and Romney right now it would be Romney mainly because he has more than just politics on his resume' and accomplishments.

When all gets said and done, usually more gets said than done...even in the business world there political (not government) issues. I have very many bruises on the back of my wrists and hands for getting smacked because I did not do politics in business. I had/still have this funny notion that what comes first are the customers followed by the employees. I would err in their behalf time and time again and sometimes that went counter to what CEO's and board members wanted done. My philosophy was if I am profitable and making forecast and promises kept, I had license to get away with doing what I thought was right VS politically correct (the term gags me even when I type it!).

I look forward to learning more about Santorum if he survives.

btk

I think Romney is right in having said many times that the State of Massachusetts had its own rights, voter and legislative goals, and unique conditions as compared to the entire nation.

It's been said many times that states should have the right to try different/innovative methods of financing such programs before saddling the entire nation with an even bigger mistake than what's been put on us now.

I think it is far better to have had MA try it so the rest of the states could see the successes and failures of such an attempt, and then LEARN from it...... before doing something so stupid as passing a 2,000-page boondoggle "healthcare" law that the boobs in Congress had not even read. Even if they had read it, it is incomprehensible and is loaded with everything but the kitchen sink.....like student loans and vote-buying bribes like this:

"Altogether, 235 Minnesota employers and unions have taken advantage of a previously obscure provision in the health care law that gives federal subsidies to supplement health insurance costs for early retirees under the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program (ERRP). To date, Minnesota employers and unions have received more than $15 million in ERRP payments, nineteenth among the states for total funding received under the reimbursement program.

High profile Minnesota corporate recipients include Allianz, American Crystal Sugar, Ameriprise Financial, Andersen Windows, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Cargill, Ecolab, Hormel, Mayo Clinic, Medtronic, Minnesota Life, SUPERVALU, Travelers, Toro, US Bank and Xcel.

Some of Minnesota biggest local governments also cashed in, including the Metropolitan Council, the Metropolitan Airports Commission and the State of Minnesota. Minnesota counties that successfully sought the subsidy include: Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, and St. Louis. Finally, the cities of Bloomington, Duluth, Minneapolis, and St. Paul and school districts such as Anoka-Hennepin, Edina, St. Cloud, St. Paul and Stillwater all were successful in seeking additional funds as part of the federal health care law.
Several Minnesota unions also got a big share of the federal health care funds, including Minnesota Council Number # 5 of AFSCME, Carpenters & Joiners Welfare Fund, Education Minnesota, 789 United Food & Commercial Workers, Minnesota Teamsters Construction Division, Sheet Metal # 10 Benefit Fund, and the Twin City Pipe Trades.

The PPACA which became law one year ago, appropriated $5 billion in financial assistance that is available to maintain health insurance for early retirees 55 and older who do not yet qualify for Medicare coverage. In a 23,471 word, 21 page federal register filing, eligible “employment-based plans” were defined to include plans maintained by a private employer, state or local government, employee organization, voluntary employees’ benefit association (VEBA), nonprofit organization, religious entity or a multiemployer plan....."

Read more:
http://biggovernment.com/tsteward/20...w/#more-251624

Sanitaryum can't win, because I will not vote for him. Too judgmental for millions of Americans closer to the center. He is a hard right extremist and that will not fly with the voters that will be the deciding factor in this election. Romney can win, Sanitary cannot.

Originally Posted by Number 6

So what you are saying is that, if elected, Mitt would not attempt to repeal Obamacare, even though he says that he would.
By that line of logic, Rick would support every piece of pork that Congress would pass.
Okay, I understand now.

Noooooo; what Rick Santorum is saying (not I) is that Romney would have trouble making the case against Obama in a debate.

Comprehension is needed here.

Originally Posted by The Villager II

Sanitaryum can't win, because I will not vote for him. Too judgmental for millions of Americans closer to the center. He is a hard right extremist and that will not fly with the voters that will be the deciding factor in this election. Romney can win, Sanitary cannot.

Wow!!; I didn't realize YOUR vote was so crucial. .......................You calling him a name that means nothing is kind of stupid. Really, you gotta grow up a little here.

So if Santorum was able to somehow prevail and capture the Republican nomination, you would vote for Obama instead?

(not voting for Santorum would be tantamount to the same thing)

Originally Posted by ilovetv

I think Romney is right in having said many times that the State of Massachusetts had its own rights, voter and legislative goals, and unique conditions as compared to the entire nation.

It's been said many times that states should have the right to try different/innovative methods of financing such programs before saddling the entire nation with an even bigger mistake than what's been put on us now.

Sounds like a lot of hedging and complicated explanations to be able to communicate what you're saying in a Presidential Debate soundbite.

That's the context of Santorum's remarks. Please just think about it in that context.

As I have said many times and in many ways both in person and on this forum - Republicans MIGHT have a CHANCE of prevailing over Obama IF they put up a moderate presidential candidate AND a moderate VP candidate.

They have to get away from the ultra-conservatives such as was Palin in 2008 and Perry, Bachmann, and Santorum this year.

They also have to get away from Gingrich as he is perceived as a Washington insider who was tossed out by his own party and fined $300,000 for ethics violations - as well as cheating on 2 wives while both wives were both having serious medical conditions. The Democrats would make mince-meat out of Gingrich in a campaign - and it would be a very dirty campaign.

The average wait time in MA for a routine checkup is now 48 days. and many internists are not accepting new paitients. Health costs have soared and many remain uninsured. Quality, affordability and accessability ofhealth care have woresened not gotten better.

Romney has not yet denounced RomneyCare. Since RomneyCare wasthe model for ObamaCare romney will not be able to repeal ObamaCare.

The three 2012 priorities will be to grow the economy, reset/improve our defense position and repeal ObamaCare.

Newt Gingrich can bury Obama in any debate including ObamaCare. Newt earlier on admitted he was mistaken by when he embraced the individual mandate. It is understandable. We all have initially enbraced something new but along the way recognized its unworkability.

I am still undeicided but gingrich still looks the stronger candidate. My focus has narrowed to two basic quetions 1. who can realistically beat Obama 2. Who has the best ideas on how to get the economy running rebuilding our defense/foreign policies and repeal ObamaCare.

Originally Posted by buggyone

As I have said many times and in many ways both in person and on this forum - Republicans MIGHT have a CHANCE of prevailing over Obama IF they put up a moderate presidential candidate AND a moderate VP candidate.

They have to get away from the ultra-conservatives such as was Palin in 2008 and Perry, Bachmann, and Santorum this year.

They also have to get away from Gingrich as he is perceived as a Washington insider who was tossed out by his own party and fined $300,000 for ethics violations - as well as cheating on 2 wives while both wives were both having serious medical conditions. The Democrats would make mince-meat out of Gingrich in a campaign - and it would be a very dirty campaign.

...........and the opinion of an avowed socialist on who the best Republican candidate might be is of utmost importance.

Originally Posted by RichieLion

Wow!!; I didn't realize YOUR vote was so crucial. .......................You calling him a name that means nothing is kind of stupid. Really, you gotta grow up a little here.

So if Santorum was able to somehow prevail and capture the Republican nomination, you would vote for Obama instead?

(not voting for Santorum would be tantamount to the same thing)

Yes I would. This country does not need a religious nut like sanatorium in charge. Grow up and see the world for what it is and not some Jesus freak ferry tale. We need a leader not another Branch dividian nut case. I am disgusted at folks that think a religious leader is what we need running this country. Remember separation of church and state. If anyone thinks the likes of these nuts that want to pray for a better country is the way to go, then you also are a nut case. gggggeeeeezzzzz Christianity is good, but to put it first over the country is bad.

Originally Posted by The Villager II

Yes I would. This country does not need a religious nut like sanatorium in charge. Grow up and see the world for what it is and not some Jesus freak ferry tale. We need a leader not another Branch dividian nut case. I am disgusted at folks that think a religious leader is what we need running this country. Remember separation of church and state. If anyone thinks the likes of these nuts that want to pray for a better country is the way to go, then you also are a nut case. gggggeeeeezzzzz Christianity is good, but to put it first over the country is bad.

Devout Catholics are now "religious nuts" and "Jesus freaks" and akin to being a "Branch Davidian" ?

If you don't get reamed for this the country is in worse shape than I thought.

This is a shameful post of yours and is despicable in the eyes of any follower of Christ.

Originally Posted by RichieLion

Devout Catholics are now "religious nuts" and "Jesus freaks" and akin to being a "Branch Davidian" ?

If you don't get reamed for this the country is in worse shape than I thought.

This is a shameful post of yours and is despicable in the eyes of any follower of Christ.

I am a firm believer in Jesus Christ and follow the teaching from the Sermon on the Mount.

BUT:::::: when you put your religion in the way of government, You are like a cult and should be shunned. I want the government to run my country and the religious nuts to say out of their business.

I want Christians to run my church and the government to stay out of my Church.

Don't pray for GOD to give us the strength to kill our enemies. What a crock.

If you pray before thinking, you cannot make a good choice. Wake up and grow up.

Believe different than what I say above and you put yourself in with the beliefs of those like Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, KS.

Originally Posted by The Villager II

Yes I would. This country does not need a religious nut like sanatorium in charge. Grow up and see the world for what it is and not some Jesus freak ferry tale. We need a leader not another Branch dividian nut case. I am disgusted at folks that think a religious leader is what we need running this country. Remember separation of church and state. If anyone thinks the likes of these nuts that want to pray for a better country is the way to go, then you also are a nut case. gggggeeeeezzzzz Christianity is good, but to put it first over the country is bad.

Dang, Villager II, you and I are seeing eye-to-eye on more and more things than I would have thought possible. Keep up the good work.