You have to hand it to the Republicans, they know how to throw a hell of a reality TV show when it comes to their nominating process! Even long running shows like Survivor don’t have as many twists and turns and come from behind leaders as this years Goat Rodeo!
But it looks as though we have come down to the last of the non-Mitt’s, Sen. Rick “Frothy Mix” Santorum. It is quite astounding that someone as whinny and scolding could ever be considered for the GOP presidential nomination, but we live in odd times indeed.
While I still maintain that the eventual nominee is going to be Mitt Romney (money and primogenitor still being the biggest trump card in the Republican world) I would be just as happy to have Lil’ Ricky as the Republican nominee. With Santorum at the head of the ticket we might win 40 states.
It is true that having Santorum as the candidate will fire up the Republican base, but that is not always a good thing. After all we saw the Teahadists fired up by the likes of Sharron Angle and Christine O’Donnell, neither of them is a sitting US Senator today. Both of them had favorable election conditions but their views kept them from beating their Democratic opponents.
Now, Lil’ Ricky is not going to have to defend against claims of witchcraft or spouting off about Second Amendment remedies (at least he is unlikely to, but again, this is an odd election cycle). Still the policy that he is making his run on is not one that is really going to resonate with the American public as whole, and that is the problem for him.
If you take a stroll over to his campaign web site you’ll find it chock full of things that Ol’ Frothy wants to do. His campaign staff have obviously read the Luntz memo, giving the Republicans the buzz phrases “Bold plan” (Herman Cain nearly ruined that one for them) and “Lead from behind”. They are all over the page.
But if you dig a little deeper what you find is that this is a site full of old tired Republican ideas, including lots and lots of culture war red meat.
Most of the policy is in the form of Op-Ed’s that Ricky probably doesn’t write himself (the big clue is the way that the author bounces back and forth between third person and first person).
Lil’ Ricky has screeds about pornography, marriage equality (which he, of course calls gay marriage), and what he will do with Executive Orders if he ever (gods greater and lesser forefend) becomes President.
While it reads like the Religious Rights wet-dream list, it is a problem for him in any general election. Take a look at the list:
Executive Orders, Rulemaking and other Executive Branch Actions
• Repeal Clinton-era Title X family planning regulations, and will direct HHS to restore the separation of Title X family planning from abortion practices and restore a ban on referrals for abortion
• Reinstitute the Mexico City Policy to stop tax-payer funding or promotion of abortion overseas
• Ban federal funding for embryonic stem cell research
• Restore conscience clause protections for health care workers
• Defend the Defense of Marriage Act in court
• Ban military chaplains from performing same sex marriage ceremonies on military bases or other Federal properties
• Repeal Obamacare mandate for contraceptive services in healthcare plans
• Re-direct funds within HHS so it can create a public/private partnership with state &local communities, not-for-profit organizations, and faith-based organizations for the purpose of strengthening marriages, families, and fatherhood
• Veto any bill or budget that funds abortion or funds any organization that performs abortions including Planned Parenthood
Congressional Directives
• Call on Congress to abolish the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals
• Advocate for a Personhood Amendment to the Constitution
• Call on Congress to pass the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act
• Advocate for a Federal Marriage Amendment to the Constitution
• Call on Congress to reinstitute Don't Ask/Don't Tell
• Call on Congress to pass the Workplace Religious Freedom Act
• Call on Congress to reinstitute 2008-level funding for the Community Based Abstinence Education program
• Advocate for a federal law permitting schools to allow prayer at graduations, football games and other school functions
This is where a Lil’ Ricky general election campaign is going to run around. The biggest, of course, is his support for a so-called Personhood amendment to the United States Constitution.
This is an idea so insane and radical that even in a place as rock-ribbed conservative as Mississippi it could not pass. Leaving aside the fact that it would outlaw all abortions, everywhere (not very states rights friendly there Lil’ Ricky) it would totally upend our system of law.
There is the issue of spontaneous miscarriages. They would now require a death certificate and other legal paperwork. There would be a requirement to investigate many of them as potential homicides. Then there are all the issues of parental responsibility, not just for the woman carrying these newly minted citizens, but for the fathers as well.
Laws on inheritance and child support would have to change, and all the while we are talking about attaching rights to a “person” who can not speak in their own interest and may never (sadly, since 1/3 of all pregnancies end in miscarriage) make it to the light of day.
No Republican candidate can make it to the White House without a significant number of votes from women. Even staunchly conservative women want to be able to use birth control. They might not admit it but they also like to have the option of ending a pregnancy as well. When push comes to shove the possibility of a Santorum presidency and what it will mean for themselves and their daughters and granddaughters is going to doom him at the ballot box.
It will put the most powerful argument for the re-election of President Obama into play again; namely the United States Supreme Court. On average a president gets to appoint 2 Justices. While the president has already had his two with Justices Kagan and Sotomayor, there are plenty of elderly Justices and it is likely that the next president will get to appoint at least one more. That vote on the High Court could overturn Roe v Wade and you can bet your sweet bippy that Ol’ Frothy Mix is going to campaign on that.
A Santorum candidacy would not really posse a problem for the President, but his ability to fire up the radically reactionary Right would probably make things tougher down ticket. So while I'd be really happy to have Lil' Ricky to run against, I think that over all a gut-shot Romney is better for us. Good thing that is still the most likely outcome.
The floor is yours.