Daily Santorum: Cliff 'Em All
Who fingers will be carved on the Mt. Rushmore of bass players? Sir Paul, Ian Kilmister, Jaco, Steve Harris? The Ox? Weinrib? If you're an Iowa Republican, it looks like the only guy you want up there is the bassmaster for "Capitol Offense."
Rick Santorum announced yesterday that Gov. Mike Huckabee would bring his ax to their straw poll festivities Saturday, excitedly recounting his family values bona fides and stating "that I know how much our supporters will enjoy visiting with him and dancing along to his well-known bass playing." Wow, big get. Hiring Huck's aide last month is really paying off . . . but wait. Huck's daughter is working for Tim Pawlenty and he's playing a Pawlenty gig too. And singing with Herm Cain.
At least Rick Perry doesn't have him, yet. And there's the big debate tonight too to get limbered up for. Sadly, some of the debate previews hardly mention RS at all, except to note his desperation. Only debate hosters (and former Santorum employers) Fox News break out the former Pa Senator's chances tonight, saying he might have a chance of winning . . . the VP sweepstakes:
Rick Santorum hasn’t risen or fallen much in his long campaign, making instead steady progress by persuading orthodox Catholics and other religious conservatives that he is fighting for their views.
But that’s not taking him anywhere near the nomination. What Santorum could become would be the right kind of running mate for a Republican nominee who struggles with the religious right (see Romney, whom Santorum warmly endorsed in 2008).
Santorum’s task tonight is to show that he is fierce about his beliefs but not so dogmatic that he couldn’t withstand a general election. He may also look for ways to ingratiate himself to Romney by directing his barbs at others in the field -- maybe highlighting Bachmann’s short political resume or pushing Pawlenty on social issues.
But don’t look for him to join in the attack on Romney.
Santorum has taken swipes at Romney before. But Fox may be right -- if RS holds back on his attacks, maybe that's a sign that auditioning to be in the backing band after all.
Schedule: Incredibly, Santorum's 50-city tour appears over. His only event today -- after packing in several a day for the past week -- is the debate in Ames.
PS: Our pick for Mt. Rushmore is Cliff Burton, followed closely by our departing colleague Dan Malloy. Rock on.