Vent

Repair Man Jack at RedState has a post about Rick Santorum. I posted a comment in his post. Below is what I wrote:

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I lived in PA from birth until I was 31. I know Rick Santorum well. My last vote as a Pennsylvanian was for Rick in ’94 for Senate. Too much has been made about his backing Arlen Specter over Toomey. Rick sacrificed his political career on principle because he knew how important the US Supreme Court is in turning around the liberal/progressive tide.

Arlen was the high ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. He helped shepherd in Thomas (during that vicious battle) and also Scalia.

Without Specter on that committee there is NO WAY we would have eventually gotten Roberts and Alito. In the end, Specter is now gone, and Toomey is now a PA Senator.

Now, I have not been thrilled with the line-up of candidates (those who threw their hat in the ring, and this who didn’t). Of all the candidates that DID officially run, only two have impressed me with their credentials and track record: Rick Perry and Rick Santorum. Newt is a distant third due to his Contract With America and his leading the 1994 Republican takeover of Congress after over 40 years.

Two people I will NEVER vote for with a supposed “R” next to their names: Ron Paul (an absolute crank) and Romney (too many adjectives to count that describe my disdain for him, his policies, his track record, his personality, etc.).

My state’s primary is in June. Things may very well be settled by then. I will vote for one of the three people I mentioned above, choosing at that time depending on what the lay of the primary landscape is at that time.

I have towed the line patiently and diligently for a looooong time. I voted for Bush Sr. in ’92 even though he went back on his word re: taxes. I swallowed Dole in ’96 when he placated the conservatives by picking Kemp as his running mate. I voted for Bush W. when he placated conservatives by picking Cheney as HIS running mate in 2000. And I held the line and re-elected Bush W. in ’04 even though he and the Republican congress started going off the reservation. I held my nose and voted for McCain when HE placated conservatives by picking Palin.

That’s it. I’m done. No more.

I vote my conscience. In the primary as well as in the main.

If Romney is the nominee, he could pick the re-incarnation of Reagan as his running mate.

I

DON’T

CARE

Third Party Candidate, Write-in candidate, or a non-vote for president. That will be my choice come November.

I was part of the masses that cried foul when others voted for Perot in ’92 and ’96. “Don’t throw away your vote,” I screamed. “We must vote for [insert candidate's name here] to stop [insert opposing candidates name here],” I yelled in 2000, 2004, 2008. But enough is enough. I will no longer follow the Republican Establishment anymore. I vote my conscience, and let the chips fall where they may.

I’m done.

There is no home for true (social, fiscal, national security, common sense, constitutional) conservatives anymore.

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UPDATE: Captain Ed of HotAir also chimes in on Santorum.