Don’t count out Rick Santorum running for President. I am not just saying this because I used to work for him. I’m saying this because he’s a pretty good candidate, at least historically.
Let me remind you: in 1990 when he ran against an 18 year incumbent, the national party never paid attention to his congressional race, and when he won, the staffer at the Republican National Committee did not know how to pronounce his name. Four years later, when Santorum announced his candidacy for the Senate, national Democrats and even some Republicans thought he was crazy to run against popular Democratic Senator Harris Wofford, a civil rights icon and well financed incumbent.
Santorum won that race by 6 points. Six years later in the year 2000, 15 Democrats lined up to run against Santorum and the then Senator won by 13 points – in a state that then Al Gore won by 5 points in a presidential year.
To be clear, this column is not written to suggest that Santorum has a clear and convincing shot at the presidency. But it is suggesting that one should never count this candidate out. After all, when he last ran for the Presidency he won 10 battleground States against Romney including the critically important state of Iowa. Translation: don’t count out a scrappy underdog who is hungry to be back in politics.
So what does Santorum have to do to be a viable candidate? Stay away from the controversial social issues that have defined him the past. The republican electorate is not interested in debating gay marriage, so Santorum should not even touch it with a ten-foot pole. Santorum should also find an issue other than abortion to talk about on the campaign trail. I think he should take page from Clinton’s campaign playbook: talk about the pocketbook issues that most Americans are concerned about. They’re worried about paying for college for their kids, they’re worried about paying the bills and have no hope that their retirement savings will be enough to allow them to live in dignity in their golden years. In other words, Americans feel squeezed on both ends and are concerned that the system is stacked against them.
With more states taking the initiative to raise the minimum wage on their own, and with Americans growing increasingly alarmed by American jobs being sent oversees, economic issues is the topic that Americans want answers to.
As the son of immigrants and with legitimate credibility with blue-collar workers, Santorum could have a built in advantage against others vying for the republican nomination. The real question is whether he capitalizes on it or not or if he falls into the trap of causing controversy by talking about controversial issues. Yes, he voted for the War in 2003 and yes, he is pro life and for traditional marriage. We, as of voters, do not need it thrown in our face at every campaign appearance.
Every four years, we hear that this presidential election will be the most important in our lifetime. Yes, it is true. Every election is important, and the upcoming season is no different.
What hopefully will be different is Santorum’s campaign style that maybe will resonate with more people.
Follow Robert Traynham on Twitter @roberttraynham.
https://www.phillytrib.com/commentary/what-santorum-has-to-do-become-a-viable-candidate/article_06fa43d4-aebd-5109-8761-726c89a7a10b.html
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