Santorum, Romney both have edge over Obama

[RedPhoenix]

An Obama/Santorum race would be a disaster. Huge chuck of the populations just voting either "Anyone but Obama" or "Anyone but Santorum".

We have more than one huge Chuck?

[COsker]

If santorum won the nomination, I'd vote for Obama. Otherwise, I'll vote for romney or sit it out.

So it's less about the debt, the spending, the ridiculous hypocritical rhetoric from Obama..it's more about keeping a guy out because you don't like his social views?

Me personally, I've never wanted to hear one word about social issues from a candidate for President. I don't see that as the biggest job we hire him to do.

[huskernut]

So it's less about the debt, the spending, the ridiculous hypocritical rhetoric from Obama..it's more about keeping a guy out because you don't like his social views?

Me personally, I've never wanted to hear one word about social issues from a candidate for President. I don't see that as the biggest job we hire him to do.

I understand where you're coming from, and I haven't yet decided I won't vote for Santorum myself, so what I'm about to say is just for discussion.

My fear, is that if Santorum DOES win the nomination, it is because his party WANTS him to do social issues above economic ones. If it's economic, they would pick Romney. So Santorum will feel a mandate to actually DO something. What he might want to do is likely unacceptable to me.

[Red Crawdad]

We have more than one huge Chuck?

Have you seen the obesity figures? There are thousands of huge Chucks. Wisearse!

[FLA4NEB]

I understand where you're coming from, and I haven't yet decided I won't vote for Santorum myself, so what I'm about to say is just for discussion.

My fear, is that if Santorum DOES win the nomination, it is because his party WANTS him to do social issues above economic ones. If it's economic, they would pick Romney. So Santorum will feel a mandate to actually DO something. What he might want to do is likely unacceptable to me.

I think a Santorum presidency would breath life into Congressional power...which has been missing for few years.

(this is in no way an endorsement of Santorum...)

[redmachine]

So it's less about the debt, the spending, the ridiculous hypocritical rhetoric from Obama..it's more about keeping a guy out because you don't like his social views?

Me personally, I've never wanted to hear one word about social issues from a candidate for President. I don't see that as the biggest job we hire him to do.

And in a perfect world, that would be the case. However, the President does a lot (too much) to affect social change.

Just one more case for the over-bearance of the federal government.

[Sonuvahusker]

If santorum won the nomination, I'd vote for Obama. Otherwise, I'll vote for romney or sit it out.

Just to clarify, you're saying that you'll either vote for Obama, or you'll consider sitting the election out? That surprises me.

[Sonuvahusker]

I understand where you're coming from, and I haven't yet decided I won't vote for Santorum myself, so what I'm about to say is just for discussion.

My fear, is that if Santorum DOES win the nomination, it is because his party WANTS him to do social issues above economic ones. If it's economic, they would pick Romney. So Santorum will feel a mandate to actually DO something. What he might want to do is likely unacceptable to me.

I'm just curious, 'nut. What economic positions of Santorum do you disagree with (or believe that Obama's positions are superior)?

[huskernut]

I'm just curious, 'nut. What economic positions of Santorum do you disagree with (or believe that Obama's positions are superior)?

I don't know much about Santorum's economic positions. I'm hoping I don't have to do that research because I am certain I prefer Romney and I still expect him to get the nomination. To be clear, my reservations about Santorum are on the social issues at this point, not the economic ones.

[ThotDoc]

I'd vote for Romney over Obama
I'd vote for Santorum over Obama
I'd vote for Gingrich over Obama
I'd vote for Palin over Obama
I'd vote for Pat Paulsen over Obama
I'd vote for Huskrthill over Obama
and yes
I'd even vote for Red Phoenix over Obama

[Sonuvahusker]

I don't know much about Santorum's economic positions. I'm hoping I don't have to do that research because I am certain I prefer Romney and I still expect him to get the nomination. To be clear, my reservations about Santorum are on the social issues at this point, not the economic ones.

In other words, social issues are a key influencing factor for you. If that's the case, I'd think Obama's social postitions alone would keep you from ever voting for him. They are far more dangerous than Santorum's, and they are damaging to our economy.

[COsker]

I understand where you're coming from, and I haven't yet decided I won't vote for Santorum myself, so what I'm about to say is just for discussion.

My fear, is that if Santorum DOES win the nomination, it is because his party WANTS him to do social issues above economic ones. If it's economic, they would pick Romney. So Santorum will feel a mandate to actually DO something. What he might want to do is likely unacceptable to me.

This is Romney's to lose. Always has been. Same with the general, imo.

What Santorum may do is no more acceptable to you than what Obama has done already. But that's not why I would never vote for Obama. Many of the big social moves have their roots in personal governance, imo, and I do not see a President coming in for 4 or 8 years and turning a social tide that has been heading left for decades with the stroke of a pen or an appointment to the SC. That's not as big as many make it out to be.

The fiscal direction and size and scope of government and it's purpose are what I pay attention to.

[COsker]

I'd vote for Romney over Obama
I'd vote for Santorum over Obama
I'd vote for Gingrich over Obama
I'd vote for Palin over Obama
I'd vote for Pat Paulsen over Obama
I'd vote for Huskrthill over Obama
and yes
I'd even vote for Red Phoenix over Obama

Even Obama Girl?

[huskernut]

On Obama's economic approach: I have defended his stimulus as necessary at the time, with the idea that we would address the deficit after the economy was stabilized. I still think had the stimulus been even bigger, and better designed, it could have stabilized us with lower unemployment. But that's water under the bridge at this point. I feel now we need to address the deficit. I don't think the democratic party has the stones or in some cases even the desire to do it.

So I strongly prefer a Republic administration that honestly takes the economy as it only task. But if the Republican party gives me a candidate chosen by people far to the right of me on social issues, I am very concerned that the party, and that candidate, will think his real job is that agenda.

Why don't we just pick the boring but competent guy and get started?

[huskernut]

In other words, social issues are a key influencing factor for you. If that's the case, I'd think Obama's social postitions alone would keep you from ever voting for him. They are far more dangerous than Santorum's, and they are damaging to our economy.

I don't see that.

[COsker]

In other words, social issues are a key influencing factor for you. If that's the case, I'd think Obama's social postitions alone would keep you from ever voting for him. They are far more dangerous than Santorum's, and they are damaging to our economy.

I've always thought voting based predominantly on social issues was casting a vote emotionally.

Thus, $16 trillion and counting as the social debates rage on....

[ThotDoc]

To me, the more interesting issue is who Romney picks as a running mate. Pandering to the conservatives alienates the independents he needs to win the election. Pandering to the independents and he risks the conservatives staying home.

[redmachine]

I've always thought voting based predominantly on social issues was casting a vote emotionally.

Thus, $16 trillion and counting as the social debates rage on....

Correct

When the country started to vote based on its feelings, we started pooping the bed.

"It's not personal, Sonny. It's Strictly business." - Michael Corleone

[RedPhoenix]

So it's less about the debt, the spending, the ridiculous hypocritical rhetoric from Obama..it's more about keeping a guy out because you don't like his social views?

Me personally, I've never wanted to hear one word about social issues from a candidate for President. I don't see that as the biggest job we hire him to do.

says the guy who started the ShePAC thread.

[RedPhoenix]

On Obama's economic approach: I have defended his stimulus as necessary at the time, with the idea that we would address the deficit after the economy was stabilized. I still think had the stimulus been even bigger, and better designed, it could have stabilized us with lower unemployment. But that's water under the bridge at this point. I feel now we need to address the deficit. I don't think the democratic party has the stones or in some cases even the desire to do it.

So I strongly prefer a Republic administration that honestly takes the economy as it only task. But if the Republican party gives me a candidate chosen by people far to the right of me on social issues, I am very concerned that the party, and that candidate, will think his real job is that agenda.

Why don't we just pick the boring but competent guy and get started?

This is a great post that I think sums up what a vast number of independent voters are thinking in regards to this election.