Memo From the National Affairs Desk: Time to Quit Whining and Get to Work

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This will be brief, but expect additions to follow in updates. Rick Santorum is now urging his supporters to get behind Mitt Romney:

Rick Santorum has officially endorsed Mitt Romney, and notified his supporters in an email sent Monday night.
In the email, the former presidential candidate cited his Friday meeting with Romney in his hometown of Pittsburgh as a reason he finally got behind the presumptive GOP nominee.
“On Friday, Governor Romney came to Pittsburgh for an over-hour long one-on-one meeting,” Santorum said in the email. “The conversation was candid, collegial and focused on the issues that you helped me give voice to during our campaign; because I believe they are essential ingredients to not only winning this fall, but turning our country around.” . . .
In the lengthy email, Santorum encouraged Romney to “add more conservative leaders as an integral part of his team.”
“And you can be sure that I will work with the governor to help him in this task to ensure he has a strong team that will support him in his conservative policy initiatives,” Santorum said. . . .
“Above all else, we both agree that President Obama must be defeated,” the letter read. “The task will not be easy. It will require all hands on deck if our nominee is to be victorious. Governor Romney will be that nominee and he has my endorsement and support to win this the most critical election of our lifetime.”

More at Memeorandum. As I say, this initial memo will be brief. If you supported Santorum, you must now respect his judgment that getting on board with the Romney campaign — “all hands on deck,” as Santorum says — is a vital obligation for all conservatives.

UPDATE: Ed Morrissey at Hot Air:

Santorum is scheduled to appear on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno this evening, and ABC’s Shushannah Walshe says that Santorum was expected to make a commitment at that time.  Santorum apparently decided to announce the endorsement as soon as he made the decision.  That may take a little of the drama out of tonight’s appearance, but it also may draw more interest as people tune in to hear Santorum’s explanation of the endorsement.

Here’s the thing I want to get across to our readers: Whenever Republicans lose a presidential election, the first thing the GOP Establishment does is to focus blame on conservatives. This is why Sarah Palin was scapegoated for the 2008 defeat, because treacherous swine like Steve Schmidt and Nicolle Wallace, who get paid to win elections, don’t want to accept responsibility for their own failures.

It is therefore an urgent necessity — however painfully ironic — that hard-core grassroots conservatives give their maximum effort to help Romney defeat Barack Obama, because if Team Mitt loses this election, you will be blamed. Your honor as a conservative, to say nothing of the future of our Republic, thus requires from you even greater labors than you would have made if Rick Santorum had won the nomination.

Like I said, “painfully ironic.”

UPDATE II: In case you don’t understand how the GOP Establishment’s blame-shifting apparatus works, Tony Lee explains it at Big Journalism. Here’s the thing: When Steve Schmidt and Nicolle Wallace backstabbed Palin and threw her under their RINO careerism bus, they thought their vicious treachery would never be discovered, because they’re so much smarter than everybody in the conservative grassroots.

UPDATE III: As I say, however, this isn’t the time to be nursing old grudges. We’ve got find a way to win, or else expect to be blamed for the defeat. Bridget Johnson at PJM notes that Santorum’s e-mail “stressed his differences with Mitt Romney and therefore gave the need to beat President Obama as the key reason to vote for the former Massachusetts governor.” Well, of course that’s what Santorum did.

If he hadn’t been honest about the differences, his endorsement wouldn’t have persuaded anyone. Here’s the crucial word from Lisa Graas:

Since May [2011], I have been 100% behind Rick Santorum because I trust him to do what is right for America. If Rick Santorum believes that Mitt Romney will defend life and marriage, then that is good enough for me. I also now endorse Mitt Romney for President and look forward to being a part of Rick Santorum’s grassroots volunteer team to continue the fight for conservatism in America.

One of the key topics at the Mitt/Rick meeting? Vanuatu.

UPDATE IV: Readers will recall that yesterday I said it is important to let Team Mitt do their job. That is to say, we shouldn’t be disgruntled, sitting around second-guessing them and bitch, bitch, bitching for the next six months. That ain’t gonna beat Obama, OK?

Our confidence in Team Mitt should prevent us from being distracted by certain people (not on the campaign) whining because they didn’t think Santorum’s endorsement was sufficiently sycophantic.

Hey, whiners: Kissing ass is your job, not Rick’s.

UPDATE V: Robert Costa at National Review talks about Team Mitt’s new hires, including former Santorum campaign director, Mike Biundo.

For the past couple of days, I’ve been biting my tongue about this, which got linked here, and to which I obliquely replied Sunday night. Because we are now in what Ace likes to call “game faces” mode, some insults must be ignored and some injuries suffered in silence.

Our personal interests or narrow ambitions should never be confused with “the conservative movement,” which is larger than any one person. We stand on the shoulders of giants, and owe an obligation to those who suffered and sacrificed to build this movement, and who are no longer here to aid us in our struggle. Humble service is our duty, and the scrupulous fulfillment of that duty is a matter of honor.

Note, please, that this mild acknowledgement has been included in the fifth update, three hours after the original post went online. That is to say, I’ve put it where it will attract little public notice, merely so that it may be known to friends that I am fully aware.

 


144 comments

  5. Back when I was pushng for Santorum, I repeatedly acknowledged that he made mistakes, and was just a man.  I can respect his judgement without giving up my own capacity for judgement and just asking ‘What Would Santorum Do?’.

    It is well known that the RNC are liars and deluded on this issue.  I fail to see how that impinges on my honor.

    The urgent necessity is to sit back and pop popcorn.

  6. Yeah and when he wins it’ll be “despite conservative opposition.” Then all through his presidency, if it doesn’t go extremely well, the constant media descriptions of Romney as an extreme ultra right-wing arch conservative.

  9. Seconded; just because I thought Santorum became my canidate of choice after he said a few things that needed saying, doesn’t mean that I am now somehow duty and honor bound to jump on board for Mitt (who I never have liked and am liking less and less the more I find out about him).

    Popcorn?

  10.  Yes, that vicious RNC with their secret mind meld techniques and mass hypnosis forced just enough Republican voters to vote for Mitt Romney to put him over the top. There are even credible reports that they surreptitiously threatened the lives of family members if certain Republican voters would not comply.

    One such unfortunate individual disappeared for a period of time, and was presumed dead, until he was discovered walking along a lonely country road, disheveled and with a ragged beard. He kept muttering “Vote For Mitt” over and over again. Upon examination, a small piece of metal was inexplicably found lodged inside his skull. His only memory of what happened was of a huge light, a sensation of numbing paralysis, and of being lifted up high off the ground into the surrounding light.

    He insisted he was anally probed by creatures who looked suspiciously like Ron Paul. But I guess we’ll never know for sure. After all, its a well known fact that most GOP voters don’t have minds of their own.

  11. What’s nice about this is that Romney’s going to owe us big for this. With Santorum in the picture,  we now have some clout. 

  12. If you think as I do, that another four years of Obama will be devistating for the Country, and that this is the most important election since the election of 1860, then there really is no option of simply sitting back and saying a Pox on both their Houses.  I am no mMitt Romney fan.  I wish our candidate was someone else.  But that was not to be.  We have two real choices in front of us: Mitt Romney and Barack Obama. One or the other of these men will be President come this time next year.  I fervently hope that it is Romney.  The Republic can stand four or even eight years of Romney.  I think our fate is sealed if wer get another four years of Obama.

  13. If you supported Santorum, you must now…

    Um, no.  Actually GTFOno.

    I supported the guy, because he was an acceptable option.  I neither enlisted, nor took an oath, nor swore fealty, nor pledged allegiance, nor exchanges promise rings, nor well, I think you get the picture.

    Romney was never an option.  I’m still taking a pass.

  15. I’ve heard all the arguments (made some myself); please don’t try to get me on board the pep rally float.

    I am fully aware of what a disaster Obama is and would be.  I’m also aware that events may make it so that anyone who wins this election may not be able to do a blasted thing (in short, our fate is already sealed and whoever wins will just be the person in charge when the last nail is driven in), and am suspicious that Romney may be a real stinker (which the right will take the blame for, which would be a very, very bad thing if you think of the possible implications).

    As such, I will be voting against Obama this election — but I will say it right now: I’m more done than ever with the GOP and refuse completely to be rah-rah-rah for them.

    So until Nov., I exercise my right to be critical of  what I deem fit to criticise (because I am still a free person to at least some small degree)…and to eat popcorn.

  16. Rob,
    If I thought as you do, perhaps so. I think Romney might be ultimately more damaging.  Nor do I deny the role in this of being ticked off.

    How about this?  If the GOP thought it was that desperate, they would not have pushed Romney down our throats.  Since they did, they must not think its that bad, and who am I to go against my betters?

  17. And by the by: if it should be revealed that Romney is really not a good option at all, I do reserve the right to vote for somebody else.

    He has to prove himself to me!  As an American citizen I am under no oath of fealty or obligation to a presidential canidate — he is to represent us!

  18. Amusing.

    The problem with this arguement is that it just makes thing worse.You’re arguing that not only do I have a corrupt and stupid and cowardly RNC to deal with, but that most of the GOP is also corrupt as well.

    Tell me again why I want to vote for this party because you just made a good arguement to vote third party.

  19. Step 1: go after Elizabeth Warren for fraud. She misrepresented a legal status (being Native American) for personal gain. Should be Scott Brown’s constant ad: ‘Elizabeth Warren defrauded her employers – now she wants you to hire her. Just say no to criminals.’

  20. The Santorum endorsement is significant.  Now let’s see Romney earn it.  No more contradictory speeches, no more distancing himself from the conservatives for applause points, no  more meaningless “work smarter” and “fix the broken parts” pablum.

    I want to hear the promise he will repeal every executive order Obama ever issued.

    I want to hear the promise he will repeal every one of the 80,000+ Federal regulations imposed on us with discussion, vote or comment in the Obama Administration.

    I want to hear material suggestions as to what departments he will reduce, merge or eliminate to streamline the federal government.(Example, there is NO reason DOE, EPA — if that should even exist —  Education, Department of Health, etc, should be anything more than subordinate Bureaus under the Interior department, tasked with nothing more than coordinating and supporting state efforts in those fields).

    I know Santorum says he trusts Romney.  But GWB looked into Putin’s soul; howzat working out?

    Time to deliver, Willard.

  21. Okay, so we’re supposed to believe that if conservatives all jump on the Mitt Train, the RNC isn’t going to throw us all off the train anyway whether or not it reaches its destination? I like what a tea party blogger said regarding the “Romney” argument: [They tell us…] “If Obama wins the earth will fly off it’s axis, spin out of control and explode. In addition to the dishonest and corrupt campaign, the GOP has been forcing Romney down our throats since the primary began. As Americans we are genetically predispositioned to raise our middle finger whenever someone tells us we HAVE TO do something. The main argument for Romney is that we can’t afford another four more years of Obama. The question is never raised, can we afford eight years of a liberal republican?” Steve Deace has said: “The only group the GOP establishment loathes more than Democrats is its own base.” As for me…pass the popcorn.
     
    http://teapartyorg.ning.com/profiles/blogs/why-i-won-t-vote-for-romney

    http://stevedeace.com/news/national-politics/morning-briefing-may-4th-2012/

  22. But Stacy’s suggestion is a good one: GET TO WORK.   Get to work for House and Senate conservatives, get to work to turf out the Tar-Pit DC GOP.  Because we’re going to need those new conservatives in DC desperately no matter which of these guys is putting his feet up on the good furniture.  Whatever happens in the White House, we need a new GOP that isn’t still peeing its lace panties over the way Newt FUBAR’d the government shutdown 18 years ago.

  23. The only thing that even makes me ever so slightly in favor of voting for Romney is the SCOTUS.  That is a very big consideration…but as McEnroe said here: if the GOP’s pet canidate doesn’t stand and deliver, then maybe even SCOTUS isn’t as big a factor as I thought — as there’s always the bad feeling that Romney would appoint living document justices himself.

  25. “Whenever Republicans lose a presidential election, the first thing the
    GOP Establishment does is to focus blame on conservatives.”

    Right, and the first thing they do when they win an election is to throw Conservatives under the bus.

    After many votes for RINOs over the years McLame, in 2008, was my last vote for a RINO. The republican party nominated Oromney without my help or consent and they can damn well get him elected—or not— without my help.

  27.  This. If you really want Mitt to do conservative things, you need to have a Congress that will push him to do those things. It’s not like the President is some kind of magical God-King with the power to run the whole government down the road he wants; without Congress, his power to screw things up is limited.

  28. If  your logic depends on the idea that everyone else in the world is wrong… maybe it’s not THEM who’re wrong.

    Frankly, if you’re not in a swing state I could care less if you vote. BUT- if you allow Barack Obama two more Supreme Court picks, a few hundred Federal COurt picks (and  don’t for a minute dream he’s going to be as stupid as GWB was and leave a bunch vacant) , and control over our missile treaties with Russia over your snit… don’t be under any illusion that you’re doing anything in the interests of your country.

  29. …and clear the path for Mrs. Obama, or Hillary, or Chuckie Schumer, etc.
    AFTER four more years of Holderesque voter intimidation and corruption. 
    Thanks, buddy!

  31.  Hey, here’s some free money, now go out and earn it.

    That only works if there is an expectation of further gains to be had.  Romney has no such expectations and therefore will take whatever he is given and run with it.

    When he wants your support again he’ll ask the RNC to tell you to fall into line.

  32. Nice…so let me get this straight: unless Tennwriter (and I suppose people like him) is living in a swing state (and thus his vote is more important than others…just like some pigs, huh?), he can go to the dogs (lol) because he isn’t really, truly a contribution to the Great Patriotic Romney Cause for the Motherland!!!

    But…if Romney loses it’s all Tennwriter’s fault (and the fault of people like him, naturally), because even though his vote was not as important as some other’s votes, because he dared to not be enthusiastic about The Great Patriotic Romney Cause For the Motherland!!!! 

    Hmmm…yep, it makes complete and utter sense; couldn’t think up a more logical opinion if I was Socrates.

    **and people wonder why some people are still not warming up to Mitt…nah, I can’t for the life of me see why they wouldn’t…

  33. Rick Santorum had better watch out. Now that he has disrespected Willard “Hard Time” Romney, the word has been put out to Romney’s enforcers. If Santorum should happen to see them before they see him, he had better run.

  36. Um, no.  The urgent need is not for conservatives to support Romney because, hey, you’re going to get blamed for him either way.  The urgent need is to yell loudly and often that we do not support this guy, that he does not represent us, and that he was forced on us through a biased primary process abetted by the RNC and Fox News that systematically targeted and brought down every candidate who might possibly have challenged Romney and prevented even more from ever getting into the race.    Romney’s already lost.  The goal now is to prevent him from being a stone around our collective necks.  Rebellion is the answer.

  38. That really is the point neither Romney nor the GOP understand how desperate the situation is. The GOP is blinded by their will to power while having no understanding what having that power needs to achieve. Romney is blinded by his belief that the solutions to our Nations problems are simply bad management as opposed to the bad intentions of the left. While it is surely to late in any case there is no saving this Republic without utterly destroying the left. Romney simply doesn’t get that neither did Santorum for that matter.

  41. The ‘biased process’ kept the horde of not-Romneys around far longer than they would have been under any primary calendar used previously since the dawn of significant primaries — where Mitt almost certainly would have wrapped things up in a cascade of wins in winner-take-all primaries on Super Tuesday because his opponents couldn’t hope to compete everywhere.

  42. “without Congress, his power to screw things up is limited.”
    I submit that everyday Obamsky disproves that premise.

  45. Socons can choose to stay at home rather than voting for Romney, but there is a another outcome beyond being blamed for Romney losing. Romney could win without the socons.

    Personally, if it comes to it, I think the GOP should take the tea party voter over the socon voter. Looking towards government to get its fiscal house in order should be the first priority. Looking towards government to rebuild the American family is just not going to work, and distracts from the first priority.

    The sooner socons realize their movement is a cultural not a political one, the better.

  46. Conservatives are an obstacle to be overcome in order to get the nomination and will be a thorn in his side if elected, so yeah, ye be dreaming.

  49. Mitt has made some vague statements about “reforming” some Departments, what exactly if anything has he said about Obamsky’s EOs?

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