Really? Newt supporters want to criticize Santorum for lobbying?
As the anyone-but-Mitt Republican primary rolls on, former Pennsylvania senator Rick Santorum has taken the lead in the polls, calling himself the “best conservative choice” for president. His campaign website boasts that even after he left elected office in 2007, Santorum “vociferously opposed TARP” as well as “the various ‘stimulus‘ packages.” But Santorum’s positioning as the a pure conservative, driven by beliefs and values rather than self-serving greed, contrasts sharply with his record.
Though Newt Gingrich has weathered the most criticism for lobbying — albeit without registering — for corporate clients after leaving office, Santorum is guilty of the same K Street sins. Santorum, who never registered as a lobbyist, worked as a “consultant” for a lobbying firm called American Continental Group (ACG).
So, let me get this straight: you’re conceding that Newt was practicing self-serving greed?
That money was set aside. There was a lot of competition to get it, once it was clear that it was going to be spent. At that point, unfortunately, it becomes a matter of whether or not you’re going to compete. If you as a conservative insist on clean hands, then your representatives have to let the money go to liberal causes in liberal areas.
Would it have been better if they’d let this work out like the Green Energy Boondoggle or the ObamaCare waivers? Really?
I’m sure that Newt supporters have legitimate gripes with Santorum, but this is just a self-defeating argument, in my opinion.
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