The GOP’s Panic Over Rick Santorum

[kpete]

The GOP’s Panic Over Rick Santorum
by Michael Medved Feb 27, 2012 4:45 AM EST
On the eve of major primaries, party leaders are convinced that a Santorum victory would doom their entire ticket in the fall. Michael Medved on why Mitt suddenly looks much more appealing.


For Republicans, the key question is no longer whether they’ll overcome their reluctance and skepticism to accept Romney for the nomination. The bigger dilemma now is whether they can overcome their panic and outright dread and embrace Righteous Rick as their standard bearer. Despite his lead in Gallup’s preference poll, less than a third (32 percent) of GOP voters see Santorum as the strongest challenger to Obama; a big majority (58 percent) agrees that Mitt has the best shot.

Why, then, Santorum’s continued strength in national surveys and his strongly competitive numbers in Michigan and Arizona?

For those who hold elective office, their own careers are at stake if a polarizing, unpopular candidate drags down the entire Republican cause.

In part, this willingness to support Santorum while still viewing Romney as vastly more electable relates to the spreading gloom over Republican prospects in general. With an apparently improving economy and rising approval ratings for the president, a plurality of Americans now believes that Obama will “definitely” win the race. For some conservatives, the mounting sense that any champion they select will inevitably lose in November encourages the idea that the Republicans might as well send a passionate, politically incorrect, in-your-face message with bomb-thrower Santorum rather than making a safe, dull, practical choice for Romney.

more:

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/02/24/gop-fears-burial-beneath-obama-landslide-against-rick-santorum.html

[Renew Deal]

1. Sounds about right

And it's what I thought the republicans should do. Now, I think it's hard for Romney to not win the nomination, but if it gets to the convention, anything goes.

[socialindependocrat]

2. Repubs can forfeit and we use the money to reduce the deficit!!

[xxqqqzme]

3. The rethuglicans deserve to reap what has been

sown by their pandering to and ass-kissing of the rabid religious rong. They have been playing 'Onward Christian Soldiers' for over 30 years. So now they're shocked they have a zealot ready and willing to take charge of their crusade?

[Old and In the Way]

4. Might as well go down with the True Believer

than go down with the Pretender.

[peace frog]

5. GOPers are panicking? I could not be more delighted

Schadenfreude is my BFF these daze. ***happy dance***

[zbdent]

6. Hey, Republicans ... we can save this country a ton of money if you just

surrender now!