Campaign 2012, South Carolina, Rick Santorum and the Kentucky Derby

5/11/2011

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that is based on this concept, and the Declaration of Independence, that we are endowed by our creator with certain inalienable rights. Rights come from God and the first of which is life.Those two concepts really transformed the world because it said that government was going to be limited. Allow people to be free, and to pursue their own dream and to serve their God, to serve their family and community. And if we have a respect for human life because of course we're all created equal. A lot of people out here can check the boxes and say they have conservative positions, but I've led on life. I've got the arrows in my back from the mainstream media to prove it."

Later, in an interview following the debate he continued, "If you look at the founding document of this country, the Declaration of Independence, it's the why of America, it's what we are all about. And we're a country that was formed about keeping people free. You can have limited government and free people unless you have solid families and communities and faith - that structure that structures a society that allows people to continue to be free."

"If you don't have strong families, don't have strong faith, then you have people who are not going to live good lives if I don't have that, guess what happens, you get bigger and bigger government. The idea that we can focus on the economy and not worry about the culture, not worry about families being able to inculcate those virtues into their children and having stable families and strong churches to do that, you can't have limited government, you can't have low taxes, you can't have smaller government."

Clearly, Senator Rick Santorum "gets it". He emerged, in this pundit's opinion, the victor in this first Presidential debate. I have been involved in public policy activism for years. I know some so called "experts" will have all kinds of reasons why he will not emerge as the nominee. Yet, there are a few interesting coincidences which might be drawn between the Kentucky Derby and the 2012 campaign. I bet my readers were wondering about what this title was all about.

On Mother's day, some of our adult children, their spouses and our grandchildren came to our home to watch the Kentucky Derby. My wife loves horses and thoroughly enjoys watching the Derby every year. We do not bet on the race, but we do enjoy hearing the human interest stories behind the horses, their jockeys, their owners, and the struggles which so often accompany their arrival at the Derby. Often, they are an inspiring metaphor for life. This particular Derby was touted as the most wide open field in over a decade; somewhat like the Republican primary field of candidates for the 2012 Presidential campaign.

As the afternoon unfolded, the stories about the horses, jockeys, trainers, owners and all of the human interest stories just kept getting more interesting. However, no-one expected the eventual result in this race. A horse who had never raced on dirt, or finished first in any major race, ridden by a last minute replacement jockey, with 20-1 odds against it - not even considered in the top tier by many "experts"- won the most exciting Kentucky Derby in years!

On the Saturday following the first Presidential debate Rick Santorum won the presidential straw poll of Republican Party activists. However, the South Carolina debate was not the only recent impressive performance of the Senator. On April 28, 2011 he gave a significant address on foreign policy at the National Press Club entitled "Americans & the World: Resetting Our Course." He concluded with these words:

"The world will soon consider the life and contribution of a partner of Ronald Reagan's in reshaping the world, Pope John Paul II. He, along with another Polish hero Lech Walesa, helped to bring freedom back to Poland. His faith informed his courageous stand against a totalitarian regime. John Paul II warned of the "death of true freedom" and observed that "freedom itself needs to be set free."

"Lech Walesa last visited our nation last year and he offered this observation: "The United States is the only superpower. Today they lead the world. Nobody has doubts about it. Militarily. They also lead economically but they're getting weak. But they don't lead morally and politically anymore. The world has no leadership. The United States was always the last resort and hope for all other nations. There was the hope, whenever something was going wrong, one could count on the United States. Today, we have lost that hope..."

"But I have not and my sense from traveling the country is that neither have the American people - they are bursting at the seams to have a leader who believes in them and our country again.In his farewell address to the nation, President Reagan reminded us of this when he told the story of the USS Midway that was patrolling the South China Sea in the early 1980s. A sailor on the Midway saw a tiny boat, filled with refugees from Indochina, and a rescue launch was sent to them. As the Americans came into view, one of the refugees smiled, stood up, and shouted out: "Hello American Sailor. Hello Freedom Man!" That is who we are-Freedom Men. And Women. And Children. Let us not forget that privilege nor neglect that legacy."

The starting gate has been opened and the 2012 Presidential campaign is going to be a very exciting horse race! Beware of the "experts".

- - -

Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

Keywords: Rick Santorum, Tim Pawlenty, Herman Cain, South carolina, Debate, Republican, Right to Life, Keith A. Fournier

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1 - 10 of 51 Comments

Chris
1 year ago
As a Catholic I am sick and tired of hearing politicians like Rick Santorum state that they are pro-life and then support the death penalty.
Diane
2 years ago
I'll vote for Santorum and I hope Gingrich is on the same ticket with him. The others might have a little charm but they have no real weight. I think Santorum and Gingrich would be a dream ticket for life and family, just what America needs. Since I don't know how these things work, I'll pray for it. I know they are both strong, intelligent, experienced and most of all good men. I'll be praying for them every day.
JeanCatherine
2 years ago
Curt: Forgot! The Father should also be a protector of his children as well.
JeanCatherine
2 years ago
Curt as for blaming anyone I dont blame the politicians as I have explained Dr. Nathanson gave us what happened. The politicians, judges and lawyers went with it. We the clergy and the layfaithful didnt fight hard enough in 1973 that is the answer. I blame sin as you do. Forgive us Father for we do not know what we do. Including the politicians sometimes either.
JeanCatherine
2 years ago
Curt

I have no problems with the word G-R-A-C-E. I know were all sinners. Yes the mother should be the protector. Im sure the Lord will overcome abortion when we start realizing that we should respect the womb to the tomb but we dont. When we do have that conversion of hearts and we change as Priests for Life is encouraging in all of us and others of Pro-Life I dont doubt we will protect life in the womb to the tomb but we dont at this point.

I love what the Pro-Life Community is doing in the country. The Politicians should be jabbed at and prayed for. Im glad we have Norma McKorvey on our side. Im glad we have Frank Pavone and Dr. Alveda King and so many others who were there in the beginning fighting to preserve the sanctity of life. Am I going to peacefully bug my politicians----yes I am. I wont take no for an answer anymore when it comes to the life issues as long as I can voice my opinion. I respect yours as well and Deacon Fourniers as well.

Evil runs abortion there is not doubt about it. It uses the politicians and Planned Parenthood personnel to spin its agenda everyday. Look at Abby Johnson and her story and she will tell you this is so. Our politicians in my state have told me they will uphold Roe v. Wade because the women have the right to choose to kill their children in the womb. So again if Deacon want to peacefully protest the politcians he can have at it as long as it conforms to God and what He wants to.
Curt
2 years ago
JeanCatherine, I do believe politics is a part of the solution to the abortion issue.
But most people just live for the next election cycle. I have no problem with
Christians being politically active, but Christians should be living joy filled,
pure lives as an attractant to other people. This is what will change the
world, living epistles. Not a candidate, this is not to say governments
do not have a role.

Deacon Fournier writes a lot about "natural law" and jabs at politicians
about protecting the most helpless in the womb.
Should not the mother be the primary protector of the womb?

JeanCatherine, suppose we were married and we went to Europe.
We were in Amersterdam and you caught me with a prostitute.
If I blamed the liberal laws of the Netherlands and how sexy the woman
may have been dressed, would you buy that argument?

Women pressured to have abortion? It may be true, but what about
G-R-A-C-E? How is the Christian life lived? By grace.

Either God supplies all the grace we need to overcome sin, or
God is not that powerful.
It seems the more temptation a person has, the more grace God
will give to overcome.
Richard
2 years ago
Rick Santorum's comment that John McCain doesn't know a thing about torture is an automatic disqualification for any office in this country. John McCain withstood YEARS of torture at the hands of the North Vietnamese, and is very well acquainted with what it is and how it works. He gets a thumbs down from veterans.

Aside from being a tremendous insult to John McCain, it also demonstrates that Mr. Santorum is ignorant, callous and willing to make dumb statements that contribute nothing to the debate. That makes his judgement and knowledge in other areas suspect.
Peaceable 60
2 years ago
Rick Santorum is a man I can get excited about when it comes to politics. I trust him. He is a good and decent man with his head on straight about who he is and who God is and what our country is founded upon. I pray that he does very well. who knows? He may win the nomination, and he may win the election for president. Stranger things have happened. God speed Mr. Santorum.
Bill
2 years ago
I met Rick Santorum 15 years ago and was impressed with is presence and candor. Through the years he has maintained his positions on defense, right to life, and helping those who can't help themselves. Whether you are liberal or conservative you have to respect someone who does not waiver on his beliefs and principles. He is worth the time to look hard at all of his positions to see if he is a candidate worthy of your support. I believe that he is very worthy of mine.
JeanCatherine
2 years ago
Curt

Keep in my these women dont necessarily choose an abortion they are pressured to get the abortion because they feel they have no other choice.

Also watch for Abby Johnson who left Planned Parenthood and see what she says on the subject. She is the latest person to speak on the subject

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