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From Hugh Hewitt’s blog:
HH: When you hear the media talking about him, and of course, he got Iraq right, and we’re all grateful for that, but he wasn’t the only Republican to get it right. Do you believe he’s sincerely changed on the immigration bill to where he understands the message that was delivered last summer?
RS: No.
HH: Why not?
RS: Well, I mean, because John McCain was the leader on the other side of the aisle. John McCain was the guy who was working with Ted Kennedy to drive it down our throats, and lectured us repeatedly about how xenophobic we were, lectured us, us being the Republican conference, about how wrong we were on this, how we were on the wrong side of history, and that you know, this is important for his…because having come from Arizona, knowing the strength of the Hispanic community, that we were going to be seen as racists, and he wasn’t going be part of that, that he was not a racist, and that if we were for tougher borders, it was a racist thing. Look, John McCain looks at things through the eyes, on these kind of domestic policy issues, looks at it through the eyes of the New York Times editorial board, and accepts that predisposition that if you are not, if you stand for conservative principles, there’s some genetic defect.
Santorum on McCain’s ideology generally:
HH: Why can’t John McCain win this election?
RS: Well, number one, John McCain will not get the base of the Republican Party. I mean, there was a reason John McCain collapsed last year, and it’s because he was the frontrunner, and everybody in the Republican Party got a chance to look at him. And when they looked at him, they wait well, wait a minute, he’s not with us on almost all of the core issues of…on the economic side, he was against the President’s tax cuts, he was bad on immigration. On the environment, he’s absolutely terrible. He buys into the complete left wing environmentalist movement in this country. He is for bigger government on a whole laundry list of issues. He was…I mean, on medical care, I mean, he was for re-importation of drugs. I mean, you can go on down the list. I mean, this is a guy who on a lot of the core economic issues, is not even close to being a moderate, in my opinion. And then on the issue of, on social conservative issues, you point to me one time John McCain every took the floor of the United States Senate to talk about a social conservative issue. It never happened. I mean, this is a guy who says he believes in these things, but I can tell you, inside the room, when we were in these meetings, there was nobody who fought harder not to have these votes before the United States Senate on some of the most important social conservative issues, whether it’s marriage or abortion or the like. He always fought against us to even bring them up, because he was uncomfortable voting for them. So I mean, this is just not a guy I think in the end that washes with the mainstream of the Republican Party.
Something to think about.
January 9th, 2008 at 10:30 pm
It’s also worth thinking about that Santorum got creamed in his re-election bid.
January 9th, 2008 at 10:32 pm
Patrick,
Yeah, we will have to think about it when he runs for President. But for now lets focused on the bold writing were Santorum basically tells us McCain is disingenuous on social conservative values.
January 9th, 2008 at 10:34 pm
I’m with Bonham and Santorum on this one.
I think I need a shower.
January 9th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
Actually, I like that JMac de-emphasizes the social issues. But I agree it’s true.
January 9th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
Is this Rick “18-point loss in a purple state” Santorum that we’re talking about. Because I tend to adhere to the following rule when it comes to political advice from him:
1) Ask Santorum what the GOP should do to win elections.
2) Do the opposite of what Santorum suggests.
3) Introduce a constitutional amendment to ban whatever suggestion Santorum puts forth, so that the Republican Party will be constitutionally prohibited from following the advice of this abysmal candidate.
January 9th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
Metro,
ARe you joking or being serious?
January 9th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
Jason, this is valid stuff, sure.
But I’ve got to be honest with you. I have a hard time taking this stuff seriously when it comes from Rick Santorum via Hugh Hewitt – who both obviously have an ax to grind with Senator McCain. And this latest immigration fiasco…Santorum wasn’t even in the Senate for that! How does he know what was going on?
January 9th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
Jason,
I saw in a previous post that you mentioned Giordano’s. My wife used to live in Chicago and eat at Giordano’s as well. She has told me about that pizza. Small world.
January 9th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
Man,
McMCain lovers love Ad hominum.
January 9th, 2008 at 10:37 pm
Michael,
Giordano’s is the best.
January 9th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
Patrick,
I don’t know why. In all my stuff I have of McCain telling fellow Sentors to F-off, I couldn’t find one between him and Sanford.
January 9th, 2008 at 10:42 pm
Eh. Santorum has long disliked McCain. That he would say this isn’t really a big surprise.
But Jason, I’m curious about something. Aren’t you Romney supporters always saying that Romney should be judged based on his record as Governor and not his other public comments while out of office? It’s hypocritical of you to now turn around and try to misrepresent McCain’s positions. The fact of the matter is that John McCain has a 25 year record of consistently standing up on the side of life. That’s 12 times longer than Mitt Romney.
January 9th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
I’ve been saying this for a long time.
J-Mac’s pro-life record has been totally one of political expediency because he’s from a Red State (BTW, I’ve said the same of Fred . . . though to a lesser degree . . . he never has been a champion of pro-life or socially conservative causes . . . until he decided to run for POTUS). If the GOP nominates this guy it will just take a couple months until he gives the so cons the figurative finger and tells them where to go. They all know that this guy is not even close to being one of them.
January 9th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
LJ,
Please quote me where I misrepresent McCain.
January 9th, 2008 at 10:48 pm
wow.
January 9th, 2008 at 10:50 pm
LJ, you must live in the North East because you obviously don’t care one bit about illegal immigration in this country. I don’t care much for Santorum and I remember hating him while he was a Senator but I can guarantee you he knows McCain better than any of us.
January 9th, 2008 at 10:51 pm
Good point on Santorum being out of the Senate during the latest immigration fiasco. How would he know what went on?
Also, I note that on other times, Hugh has had guys like Kyl and Thune and Coburn on as these great conservatives and they’re all for McCain. How come Hugh won’t have them on now and instead goes to “Man on Dog”, I got trounced by 20 as a 2 term incumbent Rick Santorum on as the voice of reason.
As for abortion, McCain was pro-life when Mitt was still an independent who was running from the Reagan years and telling sob stories about his relative who died because of a botched abortion. If Sam Brownback wanted to go after McCain on abortion, fine. For Mitt or his supporters to go after him on abortion is laughable in the extreme. It would be like Rudy going after him on abortion.
January 9th, 2008 at 11:00 pm
Jim, you’re looking at it all wrong by focusing on the abortion issue. Everybody running except for Giuliani is against abortion. Don’t focus on one issue. Go to this website and take the quiz: http://www.wqad.com/Global/link.asp?L=259460 I took it and was surprised that the person who matches me the most on the issues I really care about isn’t the same person I’ve been pulling for all this time. Everyone take the quiz and share your results.
January 9th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
Ah Santorm, Brownback is now more credible then Santorm is.
This is coming from a SocCon all through my body..
January 9th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
Romney and supporters continuing to slam McCain, Romney need’s to drop out of this race b/c he is a disgrace, he’s doing nothing but bringing this party down, this is rediculous. McCain has an 85% voting record in the US Senate and he was right in Iraq, He didnt go to Washington to be Mr.Nice Guy he fights for what is right. He was right on leading the fight agaisnt Jack Abramoff, he was right to call out Donald Rumsfeld’s failed strategy in Iraq, and the list goes on and on……
January 9th, 2008 at 11:03 pm
Santorum is the biggest Republican loser since Nixon. I think he lost on 06 by 30 points.
January 9th, 2008 at 11:04 pm
Bryan,
Where did Romney or his supporters slam McCain here in this post?
January 9th, 2008 at 11:04 pm
I actually like Bob Casey and think Santorum expressed his social conservatism in a counter productive way.
I like how Pawlenty addresses his social conservatism. When the Minnesota media asks about his views on an issue he’ll straight forward describe his view. Otherwise his focus on what is possible to help Minnesota families.
I think Pawlenty’s version of social conservatism is a big vote winner. I think Santorum’s self-righteous version of social conservatism isn’t.
January 9th, 2008 at 11:09 pm
WHere did they slam McCain?
You post a whole thing of Hugh and Lost by 20 Santorum ripping McCain and then ask where they slammed him?
Please
Does anyone else laugh when they see Hugh and others putting their hopes on a guy to save the Reagan-Bush coaltion who openly and proudly declared in 1994 taht he was independent during Reagan-Buh and that he doesn’t want to return to Reagan-Bush.
I’d never vote for Mitt simply vased on that statement.
January 9th, 2008 at 11:10 pm
#20/Bryan: McCain “fights for what is right” … please enlighten us what is right about McCain/Feingold and it’s restrictions on free speech?
January 9th, 2008 at 11:11 pm
Here’s the irony fellas, Hugh Hewitt said that Jon Kyl and Rick Santorum were tied for the “Best Senators” in Washington. By default Jon Kyl became THE best senator when Santorum mucked it up in 06. Guess who Jon Kyl endorsed for President?
DING DING DING DING that would be JOHN MCCAIN. Just don’t tell Mr. Hewitt about his blatant double standard. He’ll start blathering about how you just want to destroy the Reagan coalition.
January 9th, 2008 at 11:12 pm
So Jim, are you telling us you’re not a Reagan-Bush conservative?
January 9th, 2008 at 11:14 pm
John McCain might not have the rhetoric like Huckabee, but he is pro-life. And has been consistently. Interesting what Santorum says though.
One thing about his environmental positions. I think thats a positive advantage for his candidacy. It helps distance himself from the denials of the Bush Administration. The environment is a vote winner, and McCain is the only candidate who neutralises this issue…
January 9th, 2008 at 11:15 pm
Santorum is bitter. His political career died at a VERY early age.
January 9th, 2008 at 11:16 pm
egs, Pawlenty is a top prospect, and has to be favored with the VP slot if McCain goes all the way.
January 9th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
McCain guys. Like it or not Santorum is viewed as a conservative guy on the issues. He was very well liked by alot of the socon people and routinely is all over the radio dial on ingraham, hannity, and occasionally levin and hewitt.
So he lost in 06 when alot of good GOP people lost because of the Iraq war going so poorly. Thank goodness it has gotten better.
His opinion carries weight with the so con crowd. As evidence look at the one word post from Brett Passmore our Huck guy here.
This will hurt if it gets widely broadcast. Also FYI on lifenews today they had an article about MCCains own flipflop on abortion as relative to ROE and overturning it.
January 9th, 2008 at 11:23 pm
jim,
I posted an interesting comment that people should think about. I didn’t say this is true, or McCain is this or that. People can read the whole thing and take it for what it’s worth. But when a conservative of stature like Santorum says this about McCain, maybe, just maybe, we should think for a second.
January 9th, 2008 at 11:23 pm
Sampo’s post just now eviscerated Hugh and the Rombots
Kevin, I’m saying that to annoint a guy who openly ran from Reagan and Bush as the savior of the Reagan-Bush coalition, when you have in the race one guy who knew Reagan for 20 years, who was in the Senate under both Reagan and Bush, who holds Barry Goldwater’s seat in the Senate, who’s voter for every conservative SC Justice of the past 20 years, who served his country admirably, who has been THE voice on the war and nat’l security, who has demonstarted an ability to appeal to democrats and independents, who has the support of most if not all of the top Republicans in the Senate…I could go on, in favor of a 1 term governor of a liberal state with no military experience, no foreign policy experience, who was pro-choice for 30 years AFTER Roe v Wade and for 10 years AFTER Casey and for a few years AFTER Stenberg and the partial-birth abortion debate, who couldn’t even get reelected, and who openly and proudly disavowed Ronald Reagan and George Bush…I could go on
It’s just silly. The voter in IA and NH saw through it. MI is next. Then SC. Then I suspect only Hugh and the diehards will still be onboard.
All I can say is I like forward to Sen McCain’s first appearance on Hugh’s show as the nominee.
January 9th, 2008 at 11:28 pm
Jason,
Stature of Rick Santorum? LOL/ What stature does he have. That’s like saying the stature of Tom Daschle. Neither of them have any stature. Santorum is a has been. They guy got bounced by 20 pts. By the way, this conservative of great stature was also quite happy to go all out for Arlen Specter. Was Hugh touting Specter then because of Santorum’s support?
There’s plenty of conservatives in the Senate who DO support McCain. Sens Kyl, Thune, Coburn, Lott(well, I guess he’s out now but still), Lugar, Warner, etc…
January 9th, 2008 at 11:28 pm
As a former Chicagoan, I must say Eduardo’s kicks ass all over Giordano’s.
Figures that Bonham likes Giordano’s instead.
January 9th, 2008 at 11:33 pm
I never have heard of Eduardo’s. Is it a chain?
Actually, another great place is MyPie. On Clark and Fullerton. All you can eat Chicago pizza lunch buffet, $7.99.
January 9th, 2008 at 11:36 pm
Oops, mispelled, Ewardo’s. Yes, it’s a chain.
Edwardos.com
January 9th, 2008 at 11:36 pm
It always comes back to slamming Romney, no matter what the subject, doesn’t it RomNots.
And, this time, I won’t even include Metro in that pejorative.
January 9th, 2008 at 11:37 pm
Jason & Metro,
The original is still the best … Pizzaria Uno, FTW.
January 9th, 2008 at 11:39 pm
I heard Santorum on Sirius last week where he said he’s still undecided but “anybody but McCain”. He goes on to say that McCain not only opposed every conservative idea the republican conference had, he enjoyed opposing it.
January 9th, 2008 at 11:42 pm
You guys probably won’t like Edwardo’s now, because of the negative association with me.
January 9th, 2008 at 11:48 pm
BTW,
If McCain is so bad fighting for these issues in the Senate, then you guys should have no problem putting him the WH, getting him out of the Senate and not having to worry about him not fighting the Senate anymore.
An added benefit of a McCain Presidency is that he gives us a pick up in the Senate after he puts Lieberman in the cabinet.
Something to think about.
January 10th, 2008 at 12:15 am
Nah, Metro … Pizza rises above partisan politics.
January 10th, 2008 at 12:42 am
I worked hard for Santorum’s last campaign when I lived in PA, and I must say, in his defense, he lost his race in a moderate state against a conservative pro-life Democrat who was always a high vote getter, was also the son of an immensely popular former governor, running in a year that was fantastic for Democrats across the Commonwealth. Santorum had been the strongest voice in the Senate against Islamofascism, in the nation really, and seemed to “get it” long before anyone else did, McCain included. Unfortunately for Rick, 2006 was probably the worst year for that type of Republican to run anywhere, especially PA.
January 10th, 2008 at 12:48 am
#42 – jim-
Well-put..
January 10th, 2008 at 1:09 am
Anyone who cares…McCain is leaning towards Sanford of SC as VP.
McCain hass recently mentioned that he cant stand Huck, but glad he is doing his bidding!
Also…LJ and all the McCainiacs…Keating 5? EXPLAIN!!
There is the straight talk express.
McCain seemed not to even know what the Z visa was…and he was the leader of it.
January 10th, 2008 at 1:10 am
Someone should ask Johnny Mac about his impressions of Benson, the cartoonist from AZ Republic??
Hint…it has to do with 2nd Wife and drugs for children!
January 10th, 2008 at 1:20 am
“McCain hass recently mentioned that he cant stand Huck,”
You’ve already shown you had no clue what you were talking about with McCain earlier today, but I’ll give you a chance to prove that one. i’m waiting.
January 10th, 2008 at 2:13 am
IMO McCain qualifies as a conservative, but he is indeed a maverick, and not in the good sense. His boosters may call it independence and leadership, but the policies he chooses to go rogue on I find completely untenable (i.e., CFR, and embracing the Democrat reasoning on the environment). Then, sometimes when he stubbornly stays on the reservation with the party leaders, that’s exactly the time to rebel (immigration). Sure, I like independent leaders, but not those who with some regularity decide the right thing to do is jump off a cliff. He’s even more stubborn that Bush – if McCain had nominated Harriet Meiers, he never would have backed down. If McCain had chosen to embrace the Rumsfeld strategy rather than oppose it, he would have fought the surge tooth and nail – and I view it as essentially random chance that he didn’t. He does not admit when he’s wrong, and those he disagrees with he disagrees violently and personally with.
January 10th, 2008 at 8:32 am
If he came out FOR McCain, we would be hearing about how great this guy is and what a great endorsement this was from the McCain supporters.
January 10th, 2008 at 8:39 am
Wow, first it was Tom Delay, now Santorum. Any other Republican losers tossed from office that care to take a shot at McCain, please get in touch w/ Jason Bonham… Maybe Duke Cunningham could give an interview from jail?
Jason, elsewhere you’ve posted that you’ve been a fan and supporter of Mitt Romney for over 10 years. Four years ago, Mitt was pro-choice (oops, sorry Mitt was only “effectively pro-choice.”) Yet you supported him them, and you supported him afterwards. So either you follow Romney blindly, no matter what position he takes, or you miraculously converted to pro-life at the same time Romney did. Which is it?
“J-Mac’s pro-life record has been totally one of political expediency.” LOL. Whereas Mittens has been Mr. Principled Consistency.
January 10th, 2008 at 9:14 am
Jim, calling the death of Mitt’s cousin from a disgusting botched abortion a “sob story” as though it was used for political expediency is very cold. That experience likely colored his mother’s views, which likely colored his views at the time. Not about whether abortion is right or wrong. He has always said, and always taught that it is wrong. But his view was colored in terms of the intrusion of government into that decision. Morally, he knows it is wrong and always has, but his struggle was whether government has the right to dictate upon that moral question. As governor he came to the conclusion that it does have that right, and every decision he made fell on the side of life.
January 10th, 2008 at 9:41 am
sloagm, don’t bring truth and common sense into here. Okay?
January 10th, 2008 at 9:42 am
Don’t we all love Santorum?
Who doesn’t love Rick “Homosexuality = Pedophilia = Bestiality” Santorum?
January 10th, 2008 at 9:44 am
But his view was colored in terms of the intrusion of government into that decision. Morally, he knows it is wrong and always has, but his struggle was whether government has the right to dictate upon that moral question. As governor he came to the conclusion that it does have that right, and every decision he made fell on the side of life.
He had a number of epiphanies right as he prepared to run for President, in fact. Remarkable, eh?
January 10th, 2008 at 9:57 am
Something to think about?? Jason, do you see your role here as trying to inform us about Mitt Romney, or trying to convince us all to vote for him? Hugh Hewitt is useless to any undecided voter who really wants to objectively look at the candidates. And can we get enough of the McCain is wrong on the fiscal side simply because he didn’t support the tax cuts? If I knew that Gutless Bush would cut taxes and increase spending I’d rather not have him.
January 10th, 2008 at 10:06 am
52 sloagm
Every decision fell “on the side of life,” except for those pesky, $50, taxpayer-subsidized abortions. Just a minor oversight there!
January 10th, 2008 at 10:17 am
Libertarian: On the abortion question, you have to understand where he’s come from. He had a family member die from an illegal abortion procedure. From a policy standpoint that has to have significantly colored his views. The fact that it took a major policy decision in his governorship to force him to rethink that policy perspective is reasonable to me. On other “epiphanies” as you say, please correct me if I am wrong…
1. He ran as governor on a platform that he would maintain the life laws of Mass. as they then stood. He struck down any bill that attempted to expand those laws.
2. He said that he doesn’t line up with the NRA. He has since sought their endorsement, but I don’t think he has changed his views on the second amendment. I believe he still posits that he doesn’t line up with them on all issues including assault weapons.
3. He has always supported the federal marriage amendment, and is the only one in the field to fight for it. His view is that support of this movement does not contradict previous statements that he would stand up for gay rights as citizens of this country. I personally don’t believe it does, but many gays may disagree. That’s their right to do so, as it is mine.
4. He’s always been against illegal immigration, despite the “sanctuary house” rhetoric, hence the Tom Tancredo endorsement.
5. He’s always been for the Bush tax cuts and fiscal restraint (obviously).
The National Review did not endorse Romney for nothing, or because they think he is disingenuous. But whatever.
January 10th, 2008 at 10:51 am
58 sloagm
1. Romney didn’t run for governor on a platform of “maintaining the Mass life laws.” He ran on a pro-choice platform, and on his “unwavering support of Roe v. Wade.” There is a difference between these two positions.
2. He didn’t just “not line up with” the NRA. He said, “I support gun laws; I think they keep us safe.” He joined the NRA just a year ago. And he lied on MTP about being endorsed by the NRA, and exaggerated his own hunting history.
3. He told the Log Cabin Republicans, a gay GOP group, that he would not block civil unions in Mass prior to being elected governor. And he said he would “do more for gay rights than Teddy Kennedy.” He later implemented the gay marriage law, when many conservatives urged him not to on the grounds that legally, the Mass court had no authority to force him to do so. Many of these same conservatives think Romney did so so that he could make political hay and national headlines out of how outraged he was by it.
4. Everyone of the candidates is AGAINST illegal immigration. The difference of opinion is on how to stop it, and on what to do with the illegals here. Romney is taking a tough stance now. Less than two years ago, however, he called the Bush/McCain proposal “reasonable” and “quite different from amnesty.” And Romney is not even sure if McCain supports amnesty or not.
5. Romney has an admirable record on fiscal issues. But he did NOT support the Bush tax cuts, saying he “wouldn’t be a cheerleader for policies I don’t agree with.”
The NR had to endorse someone. Word on the street is Romney opened his wallet.
January 10th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
KDub, I think you make some good points. And I do think that Romney gets ahead of himself with his choice of words. However, he did say that he would not infringe on the laws as they existed. He vetoed and also never proposed laws that reflect a pro-choice platform. I think that both your statement and mine are true. However he is not running on a pro-choice platform any longer, and his record shows that he would support pro-life positions.
I support gun laws as well. I don’t want my co-workers showing up with side-arms. I believe that there shoud be places where weapons are not allowed. That is a gun law. But I am a supporter of the NRA and the right to bear arms. I belive this has more to do with our right to own weapons (have one in our car or in our home), rather than inappropriately carry them to certain venues. Do you disagree with his joining the NRA?
Gay Rights does not equal Gay Marriage. There were over 170,000 people that signed petitions against the gay marriage ruling by the Mass. Courts. Romney stood with traditional marriage. Did he turn his back on gays? I suppose that depends on what you think he meant by “gay rights.” I don’t think he ever thought it meant marriage. After all, that was not an issue in 1994. The issue then was mainly equal rights in the workplace.
A cursory read of McCain’s initial draft immigration bill and calling it reasonable is different from support or endorsement. I believe that there are technicalities in the definition of amnesty that people are stumbling over on purpose. If you follow the spirit of McCain’s intent, I believe it is amnesty, despite it not technically being so. At any rate, we can say definitively that McCain’s final bill was materially different from the 2005 draft and Romney didn’t even endorse the first draft.
I’m glad we agree that Romney is fiscally conservative…and I don’t need to comment on the NR parting jab do I?
January 11th, 2008 at 12:59 am
As someone who grew up in the easternmost part of DuPage County I must weigh in on the Chicago pizza discussion: why worry about pizza when there is Italian beef? For me the two best are: in the western ‘burbs Portillo’s and in the city Fat Moe’s (four or five blocks north of the Circle campus). The thought of a Portillo’s combo (Italian sausage and Italian Beef together) is making my mouth water. . . There were also some good neighborhood places just north of Argonne National Lab on 75th as well.
Okay, I’ll bite on the pizza as well: for deep dish, I would say Connie’s on the near South Side is where I would go. . .
Santorum’s comments strike me as petty and vindictive, but I’m a McCain supporter. If you are trying to make a living out of being a guest on shows like Hugh Hewitt, then it makes plenty of sense to try and land some blows below the belt on McCain.
January 13th, 2008 at 11:03 pm
Santorum is still sore that he endorsed left-wing Republican Arlen Spector against a conservative challenger in the primary. Spector didn’t return the favor and Santorum lost to Casey. Santorum sounds like he thinks McCain is some kind of big city Jew so probably it’s a transference of resentment. McCain is a conservative but he knows that the Santorum/Alan Keyes wing isn’t going to be taken seriously by most people.
December 18th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
[...] following is from a Pink Flamingo post.. Hugh Hewitt on Rick Santorum (loser) on John McCain “…: Well, number one, John McCain will not get the base of the Republican Party. I mean, there [...]