United Liberty
A Santorum nomination could be a good thing for libertarians?
Fri, 02/10/2012 - 11:02am | posted by Jason Pye
A couple of days ago, Nate Nelson laid out a very articulate case against Rick Santorum, who has received a surge in support in recent days. Among the marks against Santorum that Nate laid out were his support for No Child Left Behind, expanding Medicare, and big government social conservative policies.
However, John Samples, Director of the Cato Institute’s Center for Representative Government, lays out a tongue-and-cheek libertarian case for Santorum’s nomination; based on the notion that his unpopular social conservatism would lead to President Barack Obama’s re-election:
Here’s my libertarian case for Rick Santorum’s nomination (though not his election). Since the early 1990s, Christian conservatives have formed an ever larger portion of the GOP. In Santorum, they would have what they have long sought: a candidate embodying their commitments to a politics of faith. Neoconservatives would also have a candidate committed to transforming the world through foreign policy and military action. The Obama-Santorum race would be more than just a struggle for power between two men. It would be a referendum on ideas and policies that have dominated the GOP for more than decade.
One recent poll has the former senator running even with Obama, but most polls have shown a decided gap of about eight points between the incumbent and Santorum. Right now the latter is not well-known to most voters. As Santorum becomes better known, he might close the gap with Obama. More likely, I think he would drive more secular and independent voters away from the GOP ticket. A ten-point Republican loss in a year when economic weakness suggested a close race would be a political disaster not just for the candidate and his party but also for the ideas they embody. Rick Santorum could be the George McGovern of his party.
Such a disaster might open the door for a different kind of GOP along lines indicated earlier, a party of free markets, moral pluralism, and realism in foreign affairs. Ron Paul has taken some steps this year toward creating such a party. He has attracted votes and inspired activism. His son or another candidate might take up the cause in 2016 and build on Paul’s achievements. Fanciful thinking? Perhaps, but it may take an electoral disaster to free the GOP from the ideas and forces that Rick Santorum represents.
A good friend of mine and I chatted about this last night. We both agreed that Santorum would be a disaster for Republicans, but he argued that Mitt Romney’s nomination, given his moderate economic views, would be more dangerous when compared to Santorum’s social conservatism. Point taken; however, I would still argue that Santorum is just as moderate as Romney on economic policy, largely based on his religious views. But that’s a discusssion for another day.
I realize Santorum is getting some love at CPAC, but let’s be honest; he isn’t Barry Goldwater or Ronald Reagan, and the suggestion that he is carrying the mantle of limited government is an insult to their legacies.
As I’ve written before, I believe Republicans will lose in 2012 given the choices they have left. But nominating Santorum will guarantee it. Would that put libertarians in a better position to influence conservatives and the Republican Party? I don’t know, but Samples may be on to something.
I think a Santorum candidacy would be great news for Gary Johnson. From a libertarian perspective Santorum is just such a horrible candidate on so many levels that a lot of libertarians couldn’t support him…I know I couldn’t (though I plan to vote for Johnson regardless of the GOP candidate). Santorum would lose those libertarians who might vote Republican just to get Obama out of office.
On the other hand, there’s always the risk he might win. I can think of no more frightening combination of three words than “President Rick Santorum”. Romney’s no worse than Obama. Santorum…substantially worse.
There is virtually no chance Santorum would carry the general election - he has no support at all in moderate swing states, the northeast, the west, or really anywhere aside from the hard core of the religious right.
A Santorum nomination and resounding, crushing defeat in the general election would be a perfect, clear repudiation of the religious right and their stranglehold on the GOP. Of course, I thought the repeated beatings of Pat Buchanan would accomplish the same thing, but George W. Bush reinvigorated that segment.
CPAC 2012 2-10-12
Keep on talking Conservatives, give the monkey’s enough rope they’re going to hang themselves… Every year I think the Conservatives couldn’t do, say or act any worse than the year before. Attack on Religion? Are you people kidding me? What does Conservatives know about GOD and what have you done for this country?
I don’t care what anyone says, these Republicans of 2012 are f***’n insane. They suffer from severe superiority complexes, odd paranoia, religious delusions, racist attitudes and low, LOW grade thought processes!
Why would ANY responsible journalist take anything Conservatives say seriously? Just look at how your spokespersons are representing you Mr & Mrs Republican voter. Has anyone really listened to what they’re saying? Doesn’t anyone think it matters the likes of Ann Coulter (and 100’s like her) insults a majority of the population on a daily basis? An American majority that is already very, VERY angry at Conservatives for the Bush/Cheney catastrophe…
I think the limit has been reached. You right-wing losers have threatened my Progressive belief system for 30 years now and IT’S WAY PAST TIME TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR VIOLATIONS! Just wait an see what happens this American Spring… You Conservatives GOT A BIG SURPRISE COMING! I am somebody who fights back jinnbad.blogspot.com
IF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH TAKES UP WITH REPUBLICANS THEY’RE FINISHED because of such poor judgment:
“In the year of our LORD 2000, The GOP took on the seal of the upside down pentagram, better known as the sign of Satan. RECOGNIZE what the Republican Party has become since.
Wealthy, power-mad individuals who have no shame, feel no guilt, possess no conscience or capacity for empathy. Evil beings who use everything from the Bible to Darwin to justify their own vain, self-serving, power mad, evil existence. Knowledge as a weapon , a tool to CONTROL the masses who, in their minds, couldn’t possibly understand.
“Morality - it was created for the common man. The higher man doesn’t worry about whether something is good or evil. He has the courage to rise above that sort of nonsense and ACT.” NIETZSCHE
(balls, big ****’n heavos man… and 15 billion tons of TNT)
Since human beings are doing the right or wrong, once and for all we must set the standards of what is good and what is evil. WHAT IS RIGHT AND WHAT IS WRONG! Reality NOW, from the Almighty GOD to Allah to Buddha to Jesus to Zoroaster there are common basic principles needed to judge your fellow human being:
Seven Virtues - justice, temperance (moderation), courage, wisdom, faith, hope and love (charity).
Seven Sins - pride, envy (malice), wrath, lechery, gluttony, avarice (greed) and sloth.
…Anything beyond these is whiny excuse, spin, ignorance, disinformation, propaganda, hiding behind high priced attorneys and the worst kind of BS…”
“Did ya hear the one about the Mormon who became President so he could blow up the planet?” Anonymous
Yeah, I am sure there are a lot of people who believe that the wrong nominee will get President Obama re-elected but the reality is that he has his shot and it really doesn’t matter who the nominee is.
People think that when no one is the same unless a candidate is absolutely perfect that President Obama will be re-elected so it seems as if there is a lot of tone deafness going on.
“A ten-point Republican loss in a year when economic weakness suggested a close race would be a political disaster not just for the candidate and his party but also for the ideas they embody. Rick Santorum could be the George McGovern of his party.”
What a beautiful dream. C’mon Republicans, make it happen!
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