Don’t worry too much about the “cancellation” effect.  Newt has to live and die by his record and his notoriety and no amount of cheerleading from bloggers will change that. Meanwhile, Rick benefits from quality blogging by guys like you because as people get to know him, they’ll come to support him.

I just got back from his rally in Cumming, GA and the guy is more impressive than I had expected.  His ability to speak extemporaneously about the issues of the day including very recent current events tells me that he will be a MUCH better candidate against Obama than the other three – by far.

 Exactly what happened to me when he came to Coeur d’ Alene and I was able to see him in action (and spend some time talking to him one on one.)

He’s learning to control his facial expressions and tone of voice.  I’m guessing he has some very good people working with him.

He is much smarter than people give him credit for….

 Yeah, there’s no “cancelling out” going on between you and the good Professor.  Gingrich had his moment, but it was a fleeting thing.  He was never going to be the nominee – there are too many of us who remember why conservatives threw him out, and the man himself simply cannot resist allowing his overblown ego to derail his focus, as we’ve seen already.

Those who chose to ignore his unmatched record of unfavorability among independents, swing voters, and women over the last 16 years were only deluding themselves. 

I still have reservations about Rick’s experience because I think it takes more management skill than you can pick up running a Senate staff to run the whole government, but the man is of sterling character – in stark contrast to the entire Democratic machine – and would not embarrass us with sudden personal revelations. 

If there cannot be  a Governor or General to be the last Not Romney standing, I’m glad it’s Santorum.

I love both your blogs, though I “like yours” and  am “in love” with the Professors.  I don’t think you cancel eachother our.  In fact, I like reading both of your points of view — and I think it is important that readers consider both sides to make their decisions.  This discourse is invaluable, and we are all better served for it.

All the remaining Republican candidates are highly flawed. So, I urge all my Republican friends to read all there is, meditate/reflect/pray and decide who would be the most responsive to citizen’s interests.  Then, vote.

As for myself, as a Democrat who loathes Obama with a flaming intensity that is the equal to any 12 commenters here, I will vote for the GOP candidate who arrives Nov. 6th with a pulse. 

Keep up the good work, Stacy, and let the vetting continue.

I don’t agree with Professor at all, but I’m glad he keeps me appreciative that another opinion can be wise. No matter what happens, I appreciate his love and effort of what we were/are.

 Well, as a right-to-work supporter and scourge of union thugs, I have to note that if he voted for right-to-work laws or waivers for Davis-Bacon he would certainly have lost the Reagan Democrats and been unable to win in Pennsylvania.  He could have opted for Purity, and stayed home as a Democrat took the Senate seat.

Would you rather have a Harris Wofford in the Senate?

It’s as silly as the Purity Patrol’s push for Christine O’Donnell.  Sure, she was more conservative than Castle, but he was an odds-on favorite and she lost pathetically.

 You are entirely incorrect about the vetting.  Newt has a lot more coming if he should come back and win, as Emmett Tyrrell – who hasn’t endorsed anyone, and is no “RINO Establishment squish” – has noted. 

And as Tyrrell observes, if he knows of several hitherto unbroken scandals, you can bet the Dems have more.

Santorum may have his record put under the microscope, as is appropriate, but everything about him is already on the record.  If they attack his wife, there will be a backlash – as there has on nearly every spouse attack in modern politics, except for Muskie’s wife’s incomes.

Add to that obvious fact (which the Newt folks ignore), the rationale he gave: Why is the Federal government telling a state what to do about unions?

I’m a devout right-to-work guy, too, but I sure don’t see any right for federal intervention in how states deal with Unions.

(or the vast array of other areas where they’ve intervened)

if they can make Santorum appear intolerant and ugly, despite his voting record, they win.

Dan Riehl has given up on Newt.  I give Prof. Jacobson points on loyalty, but unless Newt makes some magical resurrection it just does not seem possible.  Which leaves the choice Santorum or Mitt.  

I doubt seriously that anyone has anything else significant to throw at Gingrich.  If they had the Romney camp would have already used it against him.  It’s more likely that someone is blowing smoke and trying to get people to believe there’s a fire.

Dan Riehl on why he cannot support Newt anymore…

Well polling data says the opposite of Mr. Jacobsen, in various states, esp. MI.  If you take Newt out of the equation, Santorum’s lead over Romney’s increases.    This is true of most of the polling out there.  If its a two man race, Santorum wins.  This is why Nate Silver called Gingrich, Romney’s “best friend.”

As this campaign season goes on, the Gingrinches and Mittens are getting, er, progressively more shrill and offensive, with a devotion to truth in some cases that would make Kos proud.  Strangely though, this seems not to have provoked another tantrum from Ace yet.

Big fan of both RSM and the Professor, + Riehl.  I need to read more than just that with which I agree.

I’m of the view that the more that is thrown at Santorum, the better he looks.  Not because I’m 100% in agreement with every position, but because I’m 100% impressed with his willingness to stand up and explain those positions.

 That’s a very bizarre analysis, even though it’s got some very good points buried in it.

He manages to make the entire Republican effort seem wasted and  worthless.  Including the prospect of a brokered convention.

Conservatives who can see that “right to work” could be twisted wholesale into a really bad proposition if jumped into wholesale and without thought to the consequences.

The right to work initiative could be a considerable help, but, as with everything else, if taken too far and with too little consideration beforehand will be just as damaging as anything else.

He couldn’t help it, Stacy: he thinks like a Bolshe.

All’s well that ends well!

(Unless ending well means “everyone dies.”)