CPAC 2012: No home run for Santorum (Exclusive CPAC Slideshow)

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The former senator didn't strike out, either. Photo: Associated Press

WASHINGTON, February 10, 2012—Standing alongside his family, Senator Rick Santorum got a warm welcome this morning in a convention hall packed with conservatives waiting for a presidential candidate to break out.

Santorum had to deliver today in order to change the complexion of the race from what it is now. That complexion, though quite favorable to the senator after moving into second position with his three wins on Tuesday, still has him facing a big hurdle named Mitt. But by most measures, Mitt Romney remains the race’s frontrunner, so without the kind of performance that Marco Rubio or Jim DeMint delivered yesterday, Santorum was less convincing than he could have been that he deserves to surpass Romney as the overwhleming conservative choice.

A few thoughts on his speech: It was touching that he displayed his family. But they seemed out of place after introductions. That aside, they offered a nice reminder of what has been central to Santorum’s message, no less so today.

“This is not just about jobs…it’s about big things, really big things. It’s about what kind of country you’re going to leave to the next generation. Are we going to be a country that believes, as our founders did, that our rights don’t come from the government, they come from a much higher authority.”

One can say many things about Rick Santorum—and liberals have begun to say some of the more nasty things—but nobody can deny his passion and fervor about the need for a moral renewal in America.

That said, the senator probably didn’t persuade very many undecideds that he is a better candidate than any other. He is a good candidate, but no break out speech today.


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Rich Stowell

Rich Stowell is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Utah studying Communication, a graduate teaching assistant, and a Fellow at the Center for Communication and Community.

Rich taught for several years in the San Francisco Bay Area, before he enlisted in the United States Army National Guard. In 2009 he deployed with the 40th Infantry Division in support of NATO in Kosovo. In the Balkans, he served as Video Section Chief in the Public Affairs office for the largest multi-national task force base. He also finished his first book, Nine Weeks, about his unique experience at Army basic training, and joined the ranks of military bloggers with “My Public Affairs.”

After the deployment, Rich returned to the classroom at a charter high school in Richmond and taught teacher education at the University of San Francisco.

As a doctoral candidate, he has researched free speech in political campaigns, communication in combat among modern American military forces, team conflict, and military training models. He is currently a Staff Sergeant serving in the 128th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, Utah Army National Guard. 

Rich lives in Salt Lake City with his wife and two sons. 

Learn more about the author at Rich-Stowell.com 

 

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