The Santorum Surge - The Road to the White House - Election 2012 - Week Seven

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Category: Beltway Insider

Published on Sunday, 19 February 2012 13:16

Written by Janet Walker

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Rick Santorum, the former junior senator from Pennsylvania, has surged over the past week leading the once GOP front runner, former Massachusetts Governor, Mitt Romney by a little over 6.5%.

USA Today Political Poll Tracker as of February 18, 2012 places Santorum’s popularity, nationally, at the top of the pack with 34.3%, Romney, second with 27.7%, Newt Gingrich, the former Speaker of the House, at 14.5 % and Texas Representative Ron Paul at 12.3%.

Coming off a three state sweep Santorum roared into the Wolverine state battering a beleaguered Romney with a three to fifteen point spread throughout specific target groups. The leader margin narrows depending on the report with most agreeing on the 3 point state wide margin that has Santorum leading with 35% to Mitt Romney’s 32%.

Michigan, Romney’s home state, is a must win for the embattled former governor. He should clearly have the home court advantage with his father, a former three-term Michigan governor and Presidential candidate, well known and revered for his accomplishments.

Arizona, which will be holding its primary on the same day as Michigan, erupted over the weekend with allegations associated with Sheriff Babeu, Mitt Romney’s campaign Arizona co-chair and friend and supporter of Sen. John McCain, who only admitted his sexual orientation after being accused of threatening his illegal boyfriend with deportation. Babeu has tendered his resignation and denied all allegations except his sexual orientation.

Gay Rights Issues were also the debate in the New Jersey State Capital, as Governor Chris Christie, whom many consider a possible VP Candidate, vetoing a bill that would legalize Gay Marriage. His veto created a brief firestorm as the bill will now be placed on the ballot in a voter referendum and all citizens of the State of New Jersey will make the decision.

Women’s Healthcare took center stage this week in the GOP Political Campaigns. Republican candidates have, mistakenly, voiced their views on Women’s Health Issues, regulating themselves to a position of authority over any female’s birth control choice.

Foster Friess, a supporter of Santorum joked that Bayer Aspirin was used as contraception in his day, fifty years ago, as the woman would place the tablet between her knees and told to hold it in place. Even as Reps for Bayer Aspirin have not been contacted it is assured they would emphatically deny their product is an acceptable form of birth control.

Women’s Healthcare issues including contraception were debated by a House Panel, of all men, determining and discussing which female contraception’s should be allowed by law. If population overcrowding or the spread of sexually transmitted diseases are the issues, condoms are the single most effective form of birth control, other than abstinence or celibacy, in preventing sexually transmitted diseases. Condoms we know are used by men. No aspirin necessary.

The Current House Panel debating the inclusion of contraceptives, debating with members of church leaders, all men, have deemed particular measures off limits or outside the boundaries of insurance creating financial obstacles for those that may need it the most.

Ladies, your mind, your body, your decision; Voice your concern to your local representative, senator or congress member.

The next GOP Primaries, Arizona and Michigan, will be held on February 28; Washington States caucus vote on March 3 followed by the all important Super Tuesday, March 6 where 419 delegates are up for grabs.

The 2012 Delegate Tracker has Mitt Romney with 97; Newt Gingrich with 30; Santorum at 16 and Ron Paul with seven delegates toward the 1,144 needed to secure the Republican Nomination for President.