If Santorum wins the nomination...

[IndyColtsFan]

McCain was actually briefly leading in early September of 2008, but most people knew he never had a chance. The campaign hasn't even actually started yet, and Santorum is an opposition researcher's dream.

I wouldn't worry about it. If Santorum is the GOP's nominee it will be a slaughter.

He got a bump from announcing Palin as his running mate IIRC. Once she opened her mouth, however, any pretense of a lead vanished.

 

[dank69]

You're probably right, but do you now think he has a chance of getting the nomination over Romney?

Romney's flip flop regarding Detroit is really hurting him in Michigan. I don't think Santorum can win without more stuff like that though.

 

[hal2kilo]

True, but a 6.4% advantage is narrow this far in advance of the actual election. If the aggregate polls show that kind of gap on, say, October 20, that will be a different story. To me, 6.4% at this stage is kind of scary as it suggests that he's in striking distance given the amount of time left. I have speculated that the gap could widen when we really get into the general election campaign. I hope I'm correct.

He's also probably is polling higher at this point in regards to Obama due to all the buzz and media attention he's getting due to him possibly beating Romney. He's the latest shiny object.

 

[fskimospy]

You're probably right, but do you now think he has a chance of getting the nomination over Romney?

He has far more of a chance than I would have ever given him in 1,000 years and 1,000 elections. If I were betting on this I would still take Romney any day though. Santorum is just not a good candidate, and he's clearly insane.

I think the only reason I could fathom Republican primary voters nominating him is if they view purity of their party as more important than winning this election. Considering the batshit insane hatred the Republican base has for Obama, that's hard for me to fathom. In a recent poll, only 18 percent of Republicans believed Santorum was the most likely candidate to beat Obama. If they nominate him, they are doing it to lose.

The big and important states where Romney will have a large advantage have yet to vote for the most part, and I expect him to do quite well and have a commanding delegate lead after that point. I guess I've been wrong plenty of times before though.

 

[fskimospy]

Funny note, it appears possible that all 4 remaining Republican candidates may lose their home state. (somewhat depending on how you define 'home state') It doesn't hold so true for Romney, but I find it hilarious just how unlikeable the other candidates are that they can't even carry the state they were originally elected in.

That's how deeply disliked all of these jokers are.

 

[Remobz]

Funny note, it appears possible that all 4 remaining Republican candidates may lose their home state. (somewhat depending on how you define 'home state') It doesn't hold so true for Romney, but I find it hilarious just how unlikeable the other candidates are that they can't even carry the state they were originally elected in.

That's how deeply disliked all of these jokers are.

All of them are a complete joke. I agree. Santorum is the worst of them all?

 

[WhipperSnapper]

Why would I vote for Obama? He simply continued bush policies and made no change. Why would I vote for Romney or Santorum? Both are going to be equal or worse than Obama. Certainly Santorum is less educated and less sane than Obama but that doesn't mean I'd vote for Obama again.

I feel the same way. I'm not happy with Obama. However, a vote for Obama is a vote against Santorum or whoever the Republican nominee is. So, it does come down to choosing the lesser of two awful candidates. I'd prefer to have Obama over a religious guy who wants to impose Christian Sharia law on the U.S.

 

[WhipperSnapper]

Do you honestly think Santorum will be able to do anything about abortion?

Yes. The President nominates the Supreme Court judges who can in fact do something about it.

 

[First]

It's not a question of practicality. I can't bring myself to vote for anyone who has no problem with abortion.

Curious; have you (not sure of gender) or anyone you know had an abortion?

 

[WhipperSnapper]

You're probably right, but do you now think he has a chance of getting the nomination over Romney?

Yeah!

The Republican base doesn't like Romney. They think he's a liberal flip-flopper who is sympathetic to abortion rights and socialized medicine. The only reason why Santorum isn't currently trouncing Romney is that Gingrich and Paul are sucking up many of the anti-Romney votes. If Gingrich and Paul drop out or if their supporters finally conclude that a vote for Gingrich or Paul is a vote for Romney, Santorum might get their votes.

The Republican base likes Santorum because he is a principled Christian who doesn't try to hide his real feelings like a pussy. They might know that he'll lose the general election, but many people might prefer to support someone who supports their principles and values and lose than to support Romney.

The Republican establishment had better start coming to terms with the possibility of having Santorum as the nominee. If that happens, they'll probably just throw their hands in the air and toss in the towel for this election cycle.

And I will laugh my ass off.

 

[BoberFett]

I feel the same way. I'm not happy with Obama. However, a vote for Obama is a vote against Santorum or whoever the Republican nominee is. So, it does come down to choosing the lesser of two awful candidates. I'd prefer to have Obama over a religious guy who wants to impose Christian Sharia law on the U.S.

It will be funny when one hundred years from now school children will learn about how it was the Democrat party in the former United States who were the truly evil group which financially propped up a joke party called "the Republicans" and filled it with the dumbest people it could in order to give the Democrats the apperance of normalcy, thereby giving them cover to attempt to take over the world.

 

[werepossum]

I was surprised that at the moment, Santorum actually polls second best against Obama, and very close to Romney.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/president/us/general_election_romney_vs_obama-1171.html
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/ep.../general_election_santorum_vs_obama-2912.html
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/ep.../general_election_gingrich_vs_obama-1453.html
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/president/us/general_election_paul_vs_obama-1750.html

I suspect that when we get to the general election, if Santorum actually does win the nom, a lot of independents who are displeased with Obama but not following the GOP primary that closely will learn more about Santorum and the balance will shift more toward Obama than the present polls suggests. Still, only a 6.4% gap in favor of Obama is interesting.

- wolf

Santorum is an attractive candidate until you actually pay attention to what he does and what he says when he isn't trying to get elected. Had he pulled an Obama and ran before voters really got to know him (i.e. before he had an actual voting record) he might well have been elected. Now those who pay attention know him for what he is - as big government as Obama, just with a different aim. If I MUST have a President devoted to using the power of government, I'd prefer one who aims to further socialize the country to one who wants to run my life. Even though there aren't many if any things I do that Santorum would fault, it's the principle of the thing.

 

[zinfamous]

Frankly, I don't think I'm voting. I hope Puff Daddy will find me and shoot me.

On second thought, I changed my mind. Santorum, due to the abortion issue.

how retarded. single issue voters.

what a disgrace.

 

[werepossum]

how retarded. single issue voters.

what a disgrace.

I disagree. Atreus may feel very strongly about abortion being murder and realize that the two parties' candidates are very similar in other matters, bringing his vote to rest on that one issue. Zsdrsw for example is very much in line with my own beliefs, but is probably more or less a single issue voter because that single issue, gay rights, affects him more drastically (or at least more personally) than do the others. (Certainly I know other gays who are socially and fiscally conservative, but vote Democrat because they want to have the same rights - to marry whom they wish, to have an honest shot at a job or an apartment just like the straight guy - as do the rest of us.) Think about it - Obama is the farthest left President since FDR, while Bush is considered at least fairly right of center. How differently have they governed, really? The biggest difference is Obama seizing health care for the federal government, but Bush too had his huge health care entitlement program to increase the federal government's share of health care. You could take 95% of each's policies and most people could not tell you who did what. With the two parties so similar, it magnifies the effect where they do differ.

I'm by far not one and they tend to irritate me at times, but I think there are valid reasons to be a single issue voter.

 

[allenk09]

Santorum is getting his ASS handed to him right now on the CNN Debate.

 

[CallMeJoe]

You're probably right, but do you now think he has a chance of getting the nomination over Romney?

See my signature.

 

[jstern01]

The hypocrisy of these jokers is just getting out of hand. On one hand they scream government over reach when the government mandates that contraception be provided to women, 98% of which use contraception. But then want to put in laws that would ban abortions? And then once that little bundle of joy is out of the womb, could careless if it dies by accident, neglect or legal reason. Seriously the Republican party is pretty messed up, and these dorks are the face of that problem. Maybe its time for the real Republican party to clean house, but tossing out the fringe members.

 

[Nebor]

Don't care, won't vote either way.

 

[Imp]

Watching the debate, it's hillarious watching Ron Paul versus the rest of them.

 

[zinfamous]

I disagree. Atreus may feel very strongly about abortion being murder and realize that the two parties' candidates are very similar in other matters, bringing his vote to rest on that one issue. Zsdrsw for example is very much in line with my own beliefs, but is probably more or less a single issue voter because that single issue, gay rights, affects him more drastically (or at least more personally) than do the others. (Certainly I know other gays who are socially and fiscally conservative, but vote Democrat because they want to have the same rights - to marry whom they wish, to have an honest shot at a job or an apartment just like the straight guy - as do the rest of us.) Think about it - Obama is the farthest left President since FDR, while Bush is considered at least fairly right of center. How differently have they governed, really? The biggest difference is Obama seizing health care for the federal government, but Bush too had his huge health care entitlement program to increase the federal government's share of health care. You could take 95% of each's policies and most people could not tell you who did what. With the two parties so similar, it magnifies the effect where they do differ.

I'm by far not one and they tend to irritate me at times, but I think there are valid reasons to be a single issue voter.

but I think being a gay individual--voting based on something that directly effects you--who you are, how you are able to live your life--is very different from someone that votes on an issue, like abortion, that will never have any effect on their own personal lives (males that simply don't give a shit about women). Or well, being a male, abortion does not apply to them.

ever.

 

[JSt0rm]

im telling you. Obama will win regardless and if I was in the deep bowels of gop headquarters I would want to put up the extreme section of the party for sacrifice. If you go moderate now you will go hyper crazy right nut next time and that means 12 years of dem whitehoue atleast.

 

[lothar]

I don't want to get into this again but voting at all, no matter the candidate, is an irrational activity. The real question isn't why they aren't voting, but why you are.

Does that apply to all federal(House&Senate) and state(Gov, whatever State house&senate) elections or just only Presidential elections?

Not that I'll vote anyway, but if I did it would probably be for Santorum just to get the reaction from people at parties.

I still stand by that I cannot see any future where a sane Republican Party nominates that guy. Maybe I just totally misunderstand how the right wing of America thinks, but they seriously can't be this dumb.

Well, they did nominate Dubya.

 

[lothar]

As to the answer to this question, I would write "None of the Above" on the ballot.

 

[Slew Foot]

It wouldn't surprise me to see Obama win by 300+ electoral votes if Santorum is the nominee.

 

[Jaskalas]

Watching the debate, it's hillarious watching Ron Paul versus the rest of them.

Takes a 'crazy' old man to have some of the best ideals on the American stage... tells you how f'ed we are.