Can Senator Santorum pull Iowa out?
He’s followed the Jimmy Carter protocol – essentially live in Iowa for a year, introduce yourself to everyone in the state, and campaign in all 98 counties.
Governor Romney’s strategy is based on being the last man standing at the end of the primary season. He has the finances and organization. The Governor is intelligent, articulate, poised, and disciplined. He succeeded in business, is very religious, and is fiscally conservative. He’s a winner – on paper.
He may succeed, knowing the Republicans and independents might have to hold their nose in November, but they will vote for him. He’s not the wrong candidate, but he just doesn’t feel like the right candidate.
He may succeed, but in the meantime the conservatives are desperately seeking salvation in the form of a true conservative. They have carefully scrutinized the candidates, and with the exceptions of Senator Santorum and Governor Huntsman, who is focusing on New Hampshire, they have been found wanting.
Congresswoman Michelle Bachman of Minnesota, a native Iowan, was quick out of the gate. She won the Iowa Straw Poll, but didn’t seem ready for prime time. The media pounced on every gaffe. Her campaign is broke.
Governor Perry of Texas was everyone’s choice until he bombed in the debates (He was recovering from an illness at the time). He has the money to last, but has to overcome the bad first impression.
Herman Cain with his 9-9-9 and folksy approach connected with the Republicans as no one has since Sarah Palin. He was on a roll until overwhelmed by Bimbo eruptions.
Congressman Newt Gingrich would have won three weeks ago. He is widely believed to have won the debates as he clearly focused on President Obama and the issues. He peaked too soon. He may have survived his marital issues, but getting into bed with Fannie and Freddy was too much.
Congressman Ron Paul is from Mars.
So why not Senator Rick Santorum? He hasn’t had his 15 minutes of infamy before the GOP circular firing squad. The former Senator is sufficiently conservative and religious for the Republicans voters. He is pro-life and anti-gay marriage. He is a fiscal conservative. He appeals to both evangelicals and fiscal conservatives. He has spent more time in Iowa than the other contenders.
He only has two major problems in the primaries. First, he lost reelection to the Senate 5 years ago by 18 percent to Bob Casey, Jr., a truly uninspiring candidate.
Second, he heavily endorsed and campaigned for Senator Arlen Specter 7 years ago in the Republican primary when Arlen was challenged by Pat Toomey, a true conservative
Governor Romney is hoping that the Senator and Congressman Ron Paul will be his opponents coming out of Iowa and New Hampshire. Congressman Paul will fall by the wayside, but Senator Santorum could well defeat him.
If the Senator becomes the primary opponent to the Governor, the money will be pouring out of the woodwork for him. There could well be a bandwagon for Senator Santorum.
The Senator’s campaign has been one of the tortoise. He’s proceeded in a slow, steady gait, plugging ahead while the others enjoyed their time in the sun. Nobody noticed him as he campaigned under the radar. He more than held his own in the debates, but wasn’t considered to have a chance. He’s positive with a warm smile.
He will pass the gravitas test.
The Iowa caucuses have sprung many a surprise, introducing candidates to America. Jimmy Carter and Barack Obama rode Iowa to the White House.
Senator Santorum is the last Republican standing against Governor Romney – the tortoise versus the hare.
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