It's Time to Vet Rick Santorum.

Four new polls show Rick Santorum in a statistical tie with Mitt Romney.

This coveted spot as the GOP front-runner has been filled many times--five times to be exact.  Michelle Bachman, Herman Cain, Rick Perry and Newt Gingrich (twice) have all had a turn, but it hasn't been a comfortable and cozy spot.  Each rose to the top and quickly fell--to the bottom--out-of-sight--and for most, out of the race.

The latest choice is Rick Santorum.  One can't help but ask, is it just his turn?  Is this "Not Mitt" strong enough to last?

(Is this process of elimination really the way to choose our leaders?)

Does Rick Santorum have what it takes to be the true contender against Barrack Obama?  Do conservatives even know anything about him other than he "isn't Mitt?"  Dan Palz of the Washington Post asks the same question. (read article).

It is time to vet Mr. Santorum. Time to answer tough questions.  Time to defend his record.  Conservatives have relentlessly forced Mitt to prove that he is conservative enough.  It is time to ask the same of Rick Santorum.

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His record:

Conservatives are fearful that Mitt isn't a true conservative.  Rick Santorum should be asked to explain the following moderate stances he took as a legislator:

1) Acquiring $1 billion worth of earmarks funding for his state.  Is that fiscally conservative?

2) He voted 5 times to raise the debt ceiling.  Is that fiscally conservative?

3)  He was one of 14 Republican senators to vote against the right-to-work legislation which bars unions from requiring workers to join the union.  Most conservatives see the legislation as pro-work, pro-growth.  Why was he against it?

4) Santorum was one of 14 Republican senators to vote against repealing the Davis-Bacon Act.  This act ensures that contractors bidding on public work projects cannot lower wages in order to achieve a lower bid.  Most Republicans argue on federal projects, this contributes to billions added to the budget.  Santorum was against it.  Why?

5) Santorum supported a federal law which prohibits a business from hiring permanent replacements for workers that are on strike.  Most conservatives argue this law hurts businesses and employers.  Santorum supported it.  Is he really pro-business and free enterprise?

The Washington Post ran an article on his controversial stances on labor issues.  (Click here Washington Post article).

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Recent controversies:

1) Last week, Santorum told CNN that having women on the front lines in combat could lead to a "compromising situation where people may do things that may not be in the interest of the mission because of other types of emotions that are involved."

2) In 2006, he was interviewed here where he said that he is opposed to birth control because it is harmful to women and harmful to society because it enables sex outside of marriage.

Hmmm.  How will that stand up in the general election?

It is time to vet Mr. Santorum.  His record needs to be scrutinized and defended.

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I am NOT convinced that Santorum is fiscally conservative.  I am NOT convinced that he will energize the base or attract moderates and independents.  I am NOT convinced that he will have a clue how to create jobs, balance the budget, govern a divided legislature or lead this country back to a path of prosperity.

He has no experience accomplishing anything close to this type of challenge.  I am NOT convinced that he is ready.

So far, Mitt Romney is the only constant in the GOP race.  Why? His record is remarkable.  His experience is unique.  His leadership is unmatched.  His successes are unparalleled.

Mitt Romney is the right leader who has emerged at the right time.  It is time to rally behind Mitt.

Unity vs. Purity

Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin addressed the audience at Saturday’s Conservative Political Activist Conference.  She warned Governor Mitt Romney that he should to do a better job of explaining his record to conservatives in the party or he risks losing their support in November.  She argued that without base support, he risks lower voter turnout.

She advocates a drawn-out primary season so that the candidate can be thoroughly vetted and ready to face Obama in November.   She said, "In America, we believe that competition strengthens us...but let's make sure that competition brings out the best in our party."  She went on to say that negative attacks between the candidates are hurtful to the party as a whole.

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Great.  Nice job Sarah.  So, we need a much longer fight than usual and somehow the candidates should stay nice to each other.  Really?  How is that possible?

How can a drawn-out and lengthy fight between the candidates unite our party?

A drawn out fight deepens the loyalty that supporters feel towards their candidate.  Therefore, making it difficult to overcome apathy and discouragement if their candidate is not chosen--making it difficult for a divided base to rally behind an individual who for months they have believed and argued is the wrong choice.

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I don't think I have ever quoted Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour, but regarding this drawn-out vetting process, I think he is right on.  He was quoted yesterday in a Wall Street Journal article arguing the importance of party unity.

Barbour addressed an audience at the Faith and Freedom Conference.  He warned against divisiveness within the GOP.  He said that what appears to be happening now is that conservatives are looking for the purist candidate.  Barbour argued, "Looking for the purist candidate is the wrong approach.  The main thing is about winning."(click to read WSJ Article).

The most powerful thing Barbour said, "In politics, purity is the enemy of victory."  I totally agree.

With all that is going in the GOP's favor to beat President Obama, namely a plummeting economy, low approval ratings, skyrocketing debt levels, and stagnant employment--the quest to find the purist conservative candidate is dividing our party and hurting our chances of replacing President Obama.

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The latest PEW poll demonstrates that Mitt Romney is losing support of independents--voters who are critical for a GOP victory in November.   What Sarah Palin and others need to recognize is that these independents are not switching allegiance to Rick Santorum or Newt Gingrich, they are abandoning the GOP candidate Mitt Romney for Barrack Obama.

This time around, a drawn-out process is hurting our party.   It is damaging best candidate.  It is not making our party stronger.  This fight is hurting our cause.

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So, to Sarah Palin and others that are looking for "purity," I would challenge them to listen to this counsel from Governor Barbour.   If our goal is to win and find the best candidate who is ready to lead our country--starting day one of his presidency--then I would invite Sarah Palin to extend a "warning" to Rick Santorum as well.

Please warn Rick Santorum that he needs to do a better job convincing the base that he is actually ready to lead.  I am not convinced.  If he can't convince us, then he too, risks voter turnout this fall.  

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Sarah Palin is wrong to overlook Mitt Romney.  She and others within the party are resisting him, yet his experience and leadership are exactly what this country needs to get back on the path of conservative principles and prosperity.  Most importantly, he is the only candidate ready to do it.

In the quest to find purity, the party is overlooking quality.

Unity is our best weapon to defeat Obama.  It is time to unite behind the most prepared and able conservative candidate.  That candidate is Mitt Romney.

Ideology = Leadership?

For the past few weeks, Rick Santorum has been questioning Mitt Romney's conservatism.  He is trying to capture the "Anyone-but-Mitt" sentiment and he is now telling conservatives that he is best conservative alternative to Mitt Romney.  After watching Gingrich all but implode, Santorum is rising in popularity with the Anyone-but-Mitt's.  His approach seems to be working.  Santorum is now taking it further by claiming that he deserves the support of the Republican base because he believes that he is the best conservative alternative to Obama.

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I give it to him.  I don't think that Mitt Romney would ever try to say that he is more socially conservative that Rick Santorum.  Rick Santorum is very conservative and his social views on abortion and gay rights are very extreme -- even for my standards.  Yes, Mr. Santorum, we get it.  You are socially conservative.  (Being a fiscal conservative however, is still up for debate).

But there is a much bigger issue going on in the GOP race and it baffles me that conservatives are not addressing it.

Why is the "Ideology Test" the only test conservatives expect a candidate to pass?

Santorum can pass the conservative ideology test.  Yes, but shouldn't there be more to this nominee?

Has his ideology given him the skills to know how to lead with those principles?  Has his ideology made him an effective leader?  Has his ideology endowed him with the ability to know how to effectively manage?  Did this ideology grant him ability to know how to effectively eliminate the $15 trillion deficit that is crippling our economy?  Has his ideology taught him how to rescue broken programs?

Even in his own state of Pennsylvania, Mr. Santorum's strong ideology wasn't enough to re-elect him in his own state by his own constituents.  He lost by 18-points to a Democratic rival.

It goes without saying that strong ideological values are important.  However, deeply rooted principles don't grant someone the skills to know how to lead with those principles.

Ideology should not be the only test we give our candidates.

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We saw this happen with President Barrack Obama.  As a freshman Senator and presidential candidate, he was extremely liberal.  He had very deep liberal roots.  Democrats loved it and anointed him the leader for their party, which led him straight to the White House.

Well, despite his deep blue ideology, his Presidency has been a disaster.  He was in over his head.  President Obama did not know how to be an effective leader.  Which is why he could not even rally the Democratic House and Senate to pass his any of his initiatives during his first two years.  The only success he has experienced has been behind closed doors with rumors of scandalous bribes and back room deals.  Is that leadership?

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Did his ideology--even as far left as it was -- give him the skills needed to be an effective leader?  The answer is no.  (Thank heavens. I can't imagine where we would be as a country if he had actually been an effective leader).

Obviously ideology is important.  I would never advocate that it isn't valuable.  A candidate must prove him or herself and be able to defend their values with their record, but it goes far beyond that for finding the right leader.  Leadership is rare.  Leadership is invaluable.

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Mitt Romney's record demonstrates that he has already passed the ideology test.  As Governor, he cut spending, he defended life, he protected the sanctity of marriage, he balanced budgets, he eliminated wasteful and expensive programs.  He shrank the size of Massachusetts' government and he did it based on fiscally conservative principles.  Mitt Romney was a leader for the conservative cause in a very hostile environment.

But beyond conservative values, Mitt Romney has an innate and unique ability to lead.  He is a rare individual.  His successes in fixing broken systems are remarkable.  Time and again, he has fixed broken companies to the point of profitability.  He has resuscitated the damaged.  He has fixed the hopeless.  Over and over he has made weak things stronger.

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Mitt Romney is a conservative, but Mitt Romney is also a leader.  This is what makes him unique.  This is what makes him ready.  Shockingly, this is exactly what conservatives are willing to overlook.  He has been prepared in his years in the private sector and also during his term as Governor.  He is ready to fix our broken government.  He knows what it will take.  His record shows that he has been driven by conservative ideals.  He is ready.

Rick Santorum has demonstrated conservative ideals, but he can't demonstrate that he has passed the leadership test.  He hasn't shown an innate ability to lead.  

If conservatives do not begin to rally behind the right candidate--Obama will find himself still sitting in the White House on January 1st.  What is the most frightening thing about that scenario?  Obama has had four years of on the-job-training.  His second term will bring about the fundamental changes that he could only dream about in his first term.  His first four years have prepared him for his second.

Too much is at stake.  It is time to get America back in the hands of someone driven by conservative principles and more importantly, someone with the skills needed to actually be successful.  It is time to rally behind the right leader who has emerged at the right time.  

America needs Mitt Romney.

Romney Wins CPAC Straw Poll

It has been a tough week for the Mitt Romney campaign.  A 3-state loss to Rick Santorum and growing skepticism among conservatives of his allegiance to party or principle, Mitt Romney turned a pivotal corner today.   He won the CPAC (Conservative Political Action Conference) straw poll. 

In the past two days, Rick Santorum, Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich have all given speeches to the 3000 member audience of true-blue conservative activists as to why they deserve the support and endorsement of those in attendance.   Conservatives at the conference heard the candidates and today, they cast their votes for the GOP Presidential Nominee--they chose Mitt Romney.

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Conservatives listened to his speech, scrutinized his record, judged his character and determined that he is not just conservative enough, they determined that he should lead our party to the November elections.

Although there are no delegates associated with the outcome of this straw poll, truth be told, this straw poll is a big deal.  A win that Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich both wanted.  A win they both needed.   

The GOP race is far from over.  This week proved that, but to win-over the most scrutinizing and skeptical crowd yet, this win definitely helps resuscitate Mitt Romney's campaign.

Mitt Romney's message resonated.  This weekend demonstrated that he can turn skeptics into colleagues and critics into allies.  The question remains, will conservatives begin to stand shoulder-to-shoulder in the fight?  It is too early to tell, but today offers a flicker of hope.

Red Meat

It was an extremely pivotal day for the Mitt Romney campaign.  Many referred to his address at CPAC--The Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington DC--as a make or break it moment for Mitt.

Mitt Romney addressed a ballroom filled with over 3000 dyed-in-wool, true blue conservatives.  Individuals who for whatever reason, have been lukewarm to a Mitt Romney candidacy.  Individuals who have almost grown cold after Tuesday's 3-state sweep by rival Rick Santorum.  It appears that Conservatives have been listing to the the rival candidates' branding of Mitt as a "Massachusetts Moderate."  Question is whether that is accurate or simply political branding.


Today he was given the unique chance to plead his case--to defend his cause--to disprove the naysayers--to calm the concerns of the skeptics--but more importantly, to convince his colleagues that he is grounded in conservative principles.  His speech could not have come at a more crucial time.


He spoke of where his conservative values originated--his family, his faith and his life's work.  He talked about being raised in a home with conservative values and how his faith has provided the foundation on which, he and his wife Ann have built to raise their five sons.  He said, "Those aren't just values I talk about, those are values I live everyday."


Many of his skeptics have been wary of his tenure as a governor of Massachusetts.  Mitt Romney effectively demonstrated how his core conservative principles dictated his agenda as Governor.


He said, "When I took office, I was facing a $3 billion budge deficit and an economy in a tailspin.  Even with a legislature that was 85% Democrat, I cut taxes 19 times and balanced the budget all four years.  I cast over 800 vetoes and cut entire programs.  I erased a $3 billion budget shortfall and left office with a $2 billion rainy day fund.


"If there was a program, an agency or a department that needed cutting, we cut it.  In fact, a commentator once said that I didn't just go after the sacred cows, I went after the whole herd.  And I can't wait to get my hands on Washington."

He reminded them that he knows how to battle for the conservative cause because as a Massachusetts Governor, he was on the front lines in the bluest of states.  


He reminded them of times when as a Governor, he had to defend the right to life.  Furthermore, he mentioned when he stood up to the state supreme court's ruling to re-define marriage.  


He effectively defined how his role in business, as Governor and the also as the Chief Executive of the 2002 Olympic games gave him the experience to understand how tough decisions are made.  


He said, "Leadership as a Chief Executive isn't about getting a bill out of a subcommittee or giving a speech--it's about setting clear goes and overcoming constant adversity."


He reminded the group of his fiscal conservative principles when he said, "Today we borrow almost 40 cents on every dollar we spend.  That is unconscionable.  It's unsustainable.  It's reckless.  It's immoral.  And if I'm President, it will end."


He ended his speech by reinforcing his goals to cut the size of government.  To eliminate useless programs.  To responsibly reform the failing bankrupt programs, Social Security and Medicaid.  To end government funding of Planned Parenthood.  He admonished a call to restore conservative principles to our government.


He invited those in attendance to stand with him--shoulder to shoulder--to achieve this great fight.

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Red Meat.  Mitt delivered.  The audience was engaged.  The audience was loud.  The audience rose to their feet on several occasions.


I thought his speech was remarkable.  He defended his record.  He defended his values.  He did it by highlighting actual experiences from his record in business and government.  He defended his core principles.  By highlighting his record, it is clear that Mitt is not just a man full of political rhetoric--he is a man of principle and conviction.  He is a leader.  He is a reformer.  He is ready.


Many look at him and say that he makes them feel a little uneasy or uncomfortable because he comes across "a little square."


Ann Coulter addressed the CPAC crowd today and said that with Obama, "We've tried hip."  She then said, that it is time for something better.  She endorsed Mitt Romney and said,  "Let's try square."

I was living in Massachusetts during his years as governor.  It was remarkable to watch him in action.  Against all odds and resistance, Mitt Romney implemented conservative principles into a very liberal bureaucracy. 


It is time for conservatives to rally.  Time for conservatives to fight for our cause.  It is time for conservatives to unite behind the candidate that has demonstrated that he can accomplish all that is necessary to restore America to greatness and prosperity.


It is time to unite behind Mitt Romney.

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(Click "read more" for a full version of Mitt Romney's CPAC Speech)

The Enthusiasm Gap

For weeks we have heard about an enthusiasm gap in the GOP presidential race.  There is no question that among conservatives, there continues to be a lack of enthusiasm for a "Mitt Romney candidacy."  Tuesday's contests were a perfect reflection of that sentiment.  Although the 3 state sweep for Rick Santorum was noteworthy, it did offer an interesting analysis--the conservatives who showed up to vote were not necessarily rallying around Rick Santorum, they were voting against Mitt Romney.

They voted against Mitt because he "seems stiff."  They voted against Mitt because his "wealth makes him out-of- touch."  They voted against Mitt because they don't like his personality.  They voted against Mitt because they are skeptical of his faith.  They voted against Mitt because of his once liberal stance on abortion...(the same party that is now quick to forgive Ronald Reagan for doing the same flip-flop).

The consensus seems to be that most voted against Romney because they feel that he is "not conservative enough."  Truth be told, Mitt Romney is very conservative.  Mitt Romney is pro-life.  Mitt Romney is pro-civil unions, but against gay marriage.  Mitt Romney is for limited government.  Mitt Romney is for free enterprise.  Mitt Romney is for lowering taxes.  Mitt Romney is for a strong military.  But perhaps most relevant for our troubled economic times, Mitt Romney is fiscally conservative.  


Can the same be said for Rick Santorum or Newt Gingrich?  Are they fiscally conservative enough?

A CNN article today notes that Mitt Romney told a group in Atlanta, "Under Newt Gingrich, earmarks doubled.  Rick Santorum was a major ear-marker and he continues to defend earmarks.  Under Rick Santorum, he voted to raise the debt ceiling 5 times to the tune of an additional $3.5 trillion dollars." (Click to read CNN article).

Mitt Romney has raised a very interesting question today that all conservatives must truly consider.  How can we possibly send a candidate to the White House to fix a fiscal problem that they helped create?

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In everything I have read, I have never once heard anyone say that they voted against Romney because he has the "wrong experience."  No one can say that because he doesn't.  His experience makes him a fascinating candidate.  

I would further argue, his experience makes him the perfect candidate.

In our party's quest to find the candidate with the "right conservative values"-- the best, most electable candidate is now being overlooked.  He is being overlooked for a candidate that can never beat Obama.  A candidate whose extreme social views can't even energize conservatives, but will undoubtedly energize the left. 

Do we really think that Rick Santorum or Newt Gingrich will compete well against Obama?  One of the most socially popular presidents of our time?   I think it is important to remember that the last time Rick Santorum ran for re-election, he lost by 18-points to Bob Casey (D). His conservative platform was not enough to re-elect him in his own state by his own constituents.  Will it be enough this time around to un-seat Obama?  I cannot imagine.

If we are going to choose a nominee to address the fiscally tumultuous and toxic environment in DC and repair our fragile economy, then we need to choose someone who has the credentials to do it.  Someone who has proven that they know how.  Someone who won't be unprepared for the task at hand.

We finally have a candidate running for president of the United States whose qualifications are remarkable.  Shame on us if we are willing to overlook him because we don't like the way he makes us feel.  Shame on us if we overlook someone because they come across a little stiff.  Shame on our party if we vote for another presidential candidate, like Obama, who has never governed a day in his life.  Shame on us if we vote for another candidate who is telling us what we want to hear.

But, for now it appears our party is headed down this path.  

No wonder that the left is now salivating at the thought of the November elections.  This path is heading to an Obama 2nd term.

Congratulations Mr. Gingrich!

Congratulations Mr. Gingrich!  Your efforts to portray Mitt Romney as a foolish choice has worked.  Since South Carolina, you have hammered the message to conservatives that Mitt Romney is not trustworthy, that he is not a true conservative and that anyone but Mitt would be better than a "Massachusetts moderate."

Your message resonated.

Yesterday's sweeping victories for Rick Santorum were helped by your efforts.  I am just sorry that you forgot to convince the voters that you wanted to be the alternative.

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So once again, in this tumultuous presidential election cycle, conservatives are now rallying behind another candidate--another "Candidate of the Week."  One can't help but ask, although Rick Santorum is a likable person, will he truly be able to attract and energize moderate conservatives or independents?  Voters that are crucial to the November election?  I don't know how that is possible when he is having a hard time even energizing his own party.

Our party is rallying--though with much lower voter turnout--behind an extremely conservative individual who appears to simply be "The Anti-Mitt" alternative.  Is that enough to upset an Obama victory in the fall?  Is that enough to stand against a billion dollar Obama re-election fund?

I think it is important to remember that Santorum, like Obama, has never governed a single body.  Santorum was personally responsible for $1 billion dollars in earmarks for his state during his time as a Senator.  A candidate who went to Washington DC and became corrupted by the politics of the system rather than a force for fiscal accountability and change.

Is that enough to beat Obama?

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So where does Mitt Romney go from here?

Obviously last night's elections offer a deep and lasting sting to Romney supporters.  I am confident however, that Mitt Romney will emerge a stronger candidate.  He will re-focus and present a more unifying message that will help people realize that his expertise and vision for our country will make him the ideal candidate to confront our country's unique problems.

After all, let's remember that Mitt Romney has built his career on confronting and overcoming extremely difficult obstacles.  He has demonstrated time and again that even amid exceptional challenges he knows how to identify tremendous opportunities.

He did it with countless companies during his 25 years in building businesses.  He did it by salvaging the 2002 Olympic Games from bankruptcy and humiliation and despite scandals, budget shortfalls, and fleeing sponsors, Mitt Romney was able to put on one of the most successful Olympic games on record.

He also did it as a Governor of Massachusetts where despite an overwhelming majority of liberal colleagues and constituents, he managed to cut taxes 19 times, bring about lasting legislative reforms and he balanced budgets.

Most recently, he did it when he rose from a difficult political loss in South Carolina and within a matter of days, he emerged the victor in the Florida and Nevada contests.

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Most would have seen those experiences as insurmountable obstacles--Mitt Romney saw them as opportunities.

Mitt Romney is at his best in crisis mode.  He has built his career on facing exceptional challenges and overcoming every one of them.

I am anxious to see him do it again, because I truly believe that he is the right leader at the right time.