Is Obama baiting GOP into nominating Santorum?

It’s been a couple of weeks since the Obama administration announced it would force religious-affiliated entities such as hospitals and colleges — most notably those tied to the Catholic church — to cover contraception, abortifacients and sterilization in the health insurance plans they provide their employees. And ever since, much of the commentary (including some of my own) has focused on the apparent mistake President Obama was making in alienating a large chunk of the electorate. Why would he make such an unforced error?

Maybe he thinks he can bait the GOP into making an error of its own.

After a couple of years of hearing that social issues would take a back seat in this election to the country’s soft economy and dire fiscal situation, suddenly social issues are all the rage:

-There was the contraception mandate that came Jan. 20.
-While those flames were still burning hotly, the decision by Susan G. Komen For the Cure to stop awarding grants to Planned Parenthood clinics was made public Jan. 31. Note my phrasing here: “decision … was made public.”

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Vern

iF OBAMA WAS PROPERLY VETTED HE WOULDN'T BE ELIGIBLE TO RUN, HE'S A RADICAL MUSLIM TERRORIST AND A ILLEGAL ALIEN
- bighoss
  
  And if birther nut jobs like you were properly vetted, you would be consigned to a padded cell!
- Mary H
  
  Amen!
http://talkorigins.org jatheist

Not that Obama needs it – but a Santorum candidacy would be a gift from heaven! The idea that a man who believes women should stay in the kitchen and contraception should be illegal is actually electable in a general election is hilariously wrong. No chance Santorum wins in a general election – none.

Of course it doesn't matter though – the GOP seems to be intent on handing a second term to Obama. All Obama has to do is run the attack ads these GOPers are running against each other and the election would be his regardless who he's up against.

And that is just sad – because Obama has not been a good president. He really needs to go – and yet the GOP won't put a viable option on the ticket to appose him. Get rid of the GOP clowns in the race now before it's too late!
- borowmi
  
  Please do not repeat the idea that Santorum thinks contraception should be illegal unless you can substantiate it. That is a left-wing liberal lie. Newsflash to the DemonCrats: Santorum is against abortion but not to all methods of contraception.
  - http://talkorigins.org jatheist
    
    Plenty of evidence here borowmi:
    http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/rick-santorum-fa…
    
    Of course it's only video of Santorum saying as much… but it's probably fake right? (roll eyes)
    - Paul
      
      Wow. Having watched all of that, read all of that, and re-watched and re-read, including his position on Griswold vs CT – I have no idea how anyone can say he thinks contraceptives should be outlawed.
      
      Well, I guess false representation is nothing new for the "tolerant left" – or you.
  - daves
    
    Mr. Santorum's words:
    
    “One of the things I will talk about that no President has talked about before is, I think, the dangers of contraception in this country, the whole sexual libertine idea. Many in the Christian faith have said, ‘Well, that’s okay. Contraception’s okay.’
    
    “It’s not okay because it’s a license to do things in the sexual realm that is counter to how things are supposed to be.”
- Ken
  
  I'm with you on that one…I have never seen an entity as adept at snatching defeat out of the jaws of victory as today's GOP.
  - bighoss
    
    You are about half right. The GOP is doomed to losing, but they never had victory in their jaws to begin with.
    - http://talkorigins.org jatheist
      
      I think if the GOP put a reasonably moderate ~fiscal~ conservative on the ticket they could beat Obama easily… but they're stuck with these ~social~ conservative nutjobs that won't stand a snowball's chance in hell of winning a general election.
      - Paul
        
        "Moderate" is just a slower form of "Progressive"….the problem is "Progressives" are progressing towards destruction, no improvement.
        
        Look at the news. Every progressive run country in the world is failed – "austerity" is the keyword of the day, meaning of course the people have to expect less. What it should have meant all along is the state should have taken less and promised less.
      - Devil Dog, USMC,DAV
        
        Hey idiot, get a brain. This so called new, "progressive" clowns make me laugh. You, evidently have no morals, values, or commn sense when it comes to politics, because you are so wrapped up in yur anti-Christ community organizer, that you can't see that his fiscal policies far out do your savior, oguana. Makes me laugh how you zelots get so afraid when a true American like Santorum wants to take this country out of the dark ages, and back to it's original GOD fearing roots.After listening to clowns like you I KNOW THAT RICK IS OUR MAN.
      - Devil Dog, USMC,DAV
        
        Hey idiot, get a brain. You so called new, "progressive" clowns make me laugh. You, evidently have no morals, values, or commn sense when it comes to politics, because you are so wrapped up in yur anti-Christ community organizer, that you can't see that his fiscal policies far out do your savior, oguana. Makes me laugh how you zelots get so afraid when a true American like Santorum wants to take this country out of the dark ages, and back to it's original GOD fearing roots.After listening to clowns like you I KNOW THAT RICK IS OUR MAN.
  - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
    
    Don't count the Republicans out yet. Since the Reagan landslide in 1980, the Republicans have been in the White House for 20 years and three presidents. The Democrats have only been there for 12 years with two presidents. Santorum is just going to be another footnote in this race. Romney will give Obama a run for his money.
    - http://talkorigins.org jatheist
      
      I agree that the GOP will end up with Mittens instead of old "frothy mix" – but I don't see Mittens giving Obama a run for his money.
      That money quote Romney made about not caring about the poor will play in a loop over the course of the election and drive lower to middle classes away from the man in droves. Plus, he clearly doesn't like dogs or know how to care for them! ;)
      
      No, Mittens will be toast in a general election…
      - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
        
        He did not say that. He said the the poor have a safety net and the rich have money. Therefore, he is not worried about either of them. But, the Obama media is twisting his comment.
      - http://talkorigins.org jatheist
        
        I know that he didn't intend the words to come out sounding the way they did – I know that he clearly had a valid reason to make the comment, that there are safety nets already in place for the poor so he isn't concerned about them.
        But the optics are VERY bad. He said the words – you can't deny that. He said: "I'm not concerned about the very poor…"
        He ~does~ go on the clarify his remarks – but the words remain. They will play in a loop and the ignorant electorate will eat it up… I don't think it's 'right', but that is how I think it'll play out.
        
        And Jeff: What the hell is the "Obama media"?? Are starting to wear tinfoil hats yourself?? ;)
      - http://talkorigins.org jatheist
        
        And Jeff: This'll blow everyone's mind! You and I disagree on something!! It's almost like we're 2 different people! ;)
        
        Gosh – they might actually come to realize that atheists can think for themselves!
      - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
        
        lol. That is humorous.
      - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
        
        Most of the media has a Democratic bias. No tinfoil hats here. Just a realistic observation.
      - http://talkorigins.org jatheist
        
        Just messin' with ya Jeff…
        
        BTW – watched Fox news lately? What? One counter example isn't enough to convince you that the media is GOP-biased? ;)
      - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
        
        The only time I see anything from Fox news is when The Daily Show is making fun of them.
        
        It often feels like an odd combination, being an Atheist in the Republican Party, but I just really think the Democrats are completely wrong on foreign policy and economics. The Republicans need to rethink their views on some social issues but the Supreme Court keeps them from getting too crazy. I am probably more of a Libertarian, but that party is a completely wasted vote right now.
      - http://talkorigins.org jatheist
        
        While I'm rather central in my political views, my brother (also an atheist) is a die hard GOPer… he is pissed beyond belief that the nutjob social conservatives have highjacked ~his~ party. He couldn't be more dejected going into this election cycle – not a decent GOP candidate on the horizon. He likes Christie just like you Jeff!
        
        Yeah – unless the fiscal conservatives figure out how to reign the nutjob social conservatives/tea partiers in, the party seems to be heading for a slow and embarrassing death!
      - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
        
        I am hopeful that Christie might be Romney's VP choice.
    - Paul
      
      Unfortunately, the 12 years of democrats have done MUCH more damage than the 20 years of republicans have made improvements. Maybe because the moderate republicans just continued the slide that the liberal democrats created.
- evermyrtle
  
  What I believe is that they liberals are trying to turn the right-wing against Santorum. Why else are they playing such tricks, attempting to make somebody think we are being baited. If that were the case they would be praising him to fool us into nominating him. Whoever has the best chance, they certainly do not want that one int here. By the way this contraceptive and sex deal has consumed the minds of the liberasls.
- Kalev
  
  Women should stay home and be mothers and wives. If you do not want children you should practice abstinence.
  - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
    
    What about poor women like Linda, that no one wants to marry or have children with? Is she supposed to sit at home with nothing to do all day? Or can she work and support herself?
    - Kalev
      
      She needs to return to her father's house until she finds a husband.
      I wonder why Linda cannot find a suitable man for a husband however.
      - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
        
        I am pretty sure she said her father has passed on. So, if there is no fathers house to return to, can she work?
        
        Or can no woman, for any reason whatsoever, work?
      - Kalev
        
        Then she needs to move into her brothers home or another adult male relative's home.
        A womans place is in the home, not the work force, yep a fundamental Biblical principle that did us well until we got modernized by Bible hating people.
      - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
        
        You live in a very odd world.
      - Kalev
        
        I am a complete believer in God, His Son and His Word, if that places me in an odd world then that is where I live. After having exchanges with me here on Zionica would you have expected any different. Hey, you are an athiest and I believe you are wrong but you have your right to believe as you do, even though I believe otherwise. You are one of a very view athiests I have any respect for, you try to be reasonable, you appear educated and you are informed on topics that matter to you, I respect that even if I disagree with most of your positions.
      - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
        
        I am surprised that you state there is never an option for a woman to work. I could keep giving scenarios, but you have made yourself pretty clear. And I have never said you are not entitled to your view. I just think it is an unrealistic view.
        
        If all women stopped working, our economy would be in serious trouble, even moreso than it is right now. And not every women has someone they can turn to to support them.
        
        I do appreciate your comments. I try to be reasonable, unless they are nutjobs like Bobseeks. Even Despeville and I had some interesting conversations. We jabbed at each other, but alot of times, it was more in jest, than anything else.
        
        But I will keep asking questions, it is the only way I can learn about someone elses beliefs.
  - Paul
    
    Agree with abstinence, but forcing people to "stay home" is not Old Testament, New Testament, Hebrew or Christian.
- Kalev
  
  The GOP plan is Statism from the extreme right wing perspective as opposed to the Dems from the extreme left wing.
  - Paul
    
    And THAT is the problem with politics in our government.
- Lorenzo
  
  Vern, who would you suggest the GOP nominate to run against Ossama…oops! I mean Obama?
pollywog

It doesn't matter from the field of GOP candidates who settles into the nominee … any one of them would be 10000 x 10000 times better president than the current one.
- DavidMGus
  
  That may be…but the real question is, will that candidate be electable? Santorum is a nut job and just too radical to pick up the disaffected dems and independents. If he's the candidate Trump could enter the race and the result will be another Obama term.
- Kalev
  
  All but Paul are similar to Obama – Statist, NWO wonks.
  Paul is a libertarian, they believe homosexuals should have special rights and that a woman has the right to kill her unborn children with no restrictions whatsoever, among other wacky ideas.
  - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
    
    Not special rights, the same rights.
TOM

THE GOP CLOWNS IN THE RACE AS YOU CALL THEM ARE TWICE THE MAN OBAMA COULD EVER IMAGINE BEING
tod

santorum,mitt,newt,and barry are on the same side,Period !!! Besides God,Dr.Ron Paul 2012 is the Only Hope for Our Country,and Our Constitution !!!
- http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
  
  Pretty sure god is not on the ballot.
- Loreenzo
  
  Tod, I agree 100% with you! Too bad the New World Order will not allow Ron Paul on any ticket! I refuse to vote again "{for the lesser of two evils" by voting for Romney. Romney is quoted as agreeing with Obama's National Defense Act which shreds ANY last vestige of Constitutional rights Americans have left! Unlimited detention for "suspected terrorists" no warrant needed and ho habeas-corpus allowed? If Romney wins….I will quote the Who…from the song "Won't Get Fooled Again"…."the new boss same as the old boss!" The only true "new boss" would be Ron Paul!
http://talkorigins.org jatheist

pollywog and TOM:

You guys are the problem with the GOP unelectable status at the moment. You're hurting your party by not realizing how unelectable these jokers are… demand better from your party!
- Lorenzo
  
  yeah, they may be unelectable jokers, but WE The People have little or no control over the ruling elite! They think elections are too important to leave to the voting public. With electronic voting software how easy is it to tweak the voting results to make anyone you want to win. Who owns the electronic voting software and hardware? George Soros?
- Breaking Away
  
  We do need to demand better. The American people are tired of fals conservatives who team up with the liberals to send our jobs overseas, pad their own pockets, and destroy this country economically (we are destroying it ourselves socially and morally)
Chris

But Santorum is just wonderful. He's full of new ideas, new ways to subjugate women, ways to try and force raped women to carry to term. He even would prefer women to die so that the baby be saved. He's probably for women carrying anencephalic babies to term so they can be scared whitless at the sight of the baby with half its head missing.

Santorum is such a wonderful caring person. True Christian.
- debscurv
  
  The stupid drivel that you just spouted is pathetic!!!
Steve03

With apologies to Humbert Wolfe,
You cannot hope to bribe or twist
thank God! the Republican conservativist.
But seeing what those folk will do
Unbribed, there’s no occasion to.
evermyrtle

What does it take to make a man?? Honesty, truth, love of GOD and love of others, wisdom, hope, grace, compassion, understanding, decentcy, faith, peace of mind, insight, fairness. Do we have anybody like this running on either ticket
TOM

I WOULD VOTE FOR SANTORUM BEFORE I WOULD VOTE FOR ROMNEY.
- Kalev
  
  Turn off the "Caps Lock", you appear to be shouting at everyone.
- Damondg820
  
  Tom-me too.
Kalev

Why will no one go to the Constitution Party web site and consider them? They support the ideas of the Founding Fathers of the limited power of the federal government. Could it be that these so called "conservatives" aren't so conservative after all? They talk of reforming Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, which the Founders would have rejected outright as not within power of the federal government to establish.
- http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
  
  Most people want their choice to actually have a chance of winning.
Kalev

The GOP isn't providing any reasonable choices in a candidate that can defeat Obama. Maybe it IS time for a new politcal choice in our (dying) Republic. Or do we a people no longer believe in Constitutional principles the Founders gave us?
- http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
  
  What is interesting is that both major parties believe they are supportive of Constitutional principles.
  
  Perhaps it is time for a new party(s). The Tea Party seemed to showing promise, but they are folding back within the Republican Party.
  
  I think for a new party to emerge, there needs to be someone with a big name to be its front runner. Perot tried, but he was too crazy.
barney

I would hope for a dead locked convention and Jim DeMint become the nominee.
- http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
  
  I would hope you are completely wrong.
Donald

There are some who do not learn and who do not improve as fast as they might, because their eyes and their hearts are not upon God. They do not reflect, neither do they have that knowledge which they might have; they miss a good deal which they might receive. We have got to obtain knowledge before we obtain permanent happiness; we have got to be wide awake to the things of God

And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow.
Donald

We should commence our labors of love and kindness with the family to which we belong; and then extend them to others

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. John13:34-35
George

As I read many of these and other comments on news sites, it amazes me how people's attention has been directed away from the real problems. First, let me say I classify myself as a Republican and tend to vote in that vein. But what has become painfully obvious in recent years is that the GOP is no better than the Democrats. They are all career politicians who are only serving their own interests. They do not care about the general population. Republicans on average increase their wealth after getting into office by about 700%; Democrats by about 1200%. Now tell me again why these people run for office? Romney is no better than Obama. Romney will give Obama his best chance at getting re-elected because many people will chose not vote as they don’t see they have a choice of candidate. The GOP is pushing hard for Romney because he is someone who will protect their wealth.
- SC REP
  
  George,
  I heartily disagree with your post. You need to look more foreward than you do. I honestly believe that the Republican electorate realizes that it is more important to get 'Yomama' out of the White House than to simply give up, not vote and give the Presidency to the usurper in the White House on a silver platter. The election at the end of this year will surely be a record breaker as far as Republican turnout.
Fallen Scales

Soon women will not be allowed to work or choose to murder their offspring. They will be covered in a burka. Contraception and womens rights will cease to be an issue. And it won't be the conservatives fault! Nature abhors a vacuum. As Judeau/Christian morality has been banned from schools and the public sector, Islam has been let in, and is giving structure to the chaos in our immoral society. I may believe it is the spirit of the anti-christ, straight from Hell, but it is growing, and might be our punishment for neglecting the laws of the diety (Judiaism) or abusing His grace (Christianity). The pendulum will swing. The Muslims will not conquer us militarily, we will destroy ourselves. God will allow it. We will get a taste of Satan…instead of enjoying sin as we have been, we will enjoy oppressive religion, not the grace of God. The liberals who ushered this in will be the first to go. Laugh and call me nuts while you can, but remember these words.
- Esteban Cafe
  
  NOW could not be reached for comment… :)
144000sonsofGod

Some will see and experience what you Fallen Scales has seen. What are you a goat or sheep? A goat eats everything in sight, it never get enough. A sheep follows in a fold or flock. It needs pasture and follows a shepherd. A good Shepherd knows where the best pastures are and the sheep follow because they have come to trust him. Muslims, They are goats.Leaving behind them the land barren. The sheep are the believers and followers of Christ. Yeshua is his name (Adonai) Jesus as some know him. Leaving behind them peace,love and truth Choose this day who or that you will serve.
ConservDadASD

Does anyone here still wish we had Cain, who was pushed out by the Chicago political machine's sex scandel effort.
Bob

God is in control!!! In God is our trust!!!
http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon

he would have fought if he was innocent.