Romney and Santorum’s Pledges to Vote for Ron Paul: Placing Party Above All Else
Listed in: Israel, Other Domestic Policy, Other Foreign Policy, GOP Hypocrisies, NJDC News, Opinions
Originally Published in Politico’s Arena
By David A. Harris, President and CEO of the National Jewish Democratic Council
There’s no doubt that Ron Paul’s backwards, isolationist views on foreign and defense policy would threaten America; there is agreement on this point from so many in both parties.
But Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum in particular can’t be too troubled by Paul’s positions because they’ve each said, in the past 24 hours, that they would actually vote for Ron Paul for president if he were the GOP nominee. Romney told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer, “yes, I would vote for him,” adding that “I believe we would be able to move him in a direction that’s more productive.”
Similarly, Santorum told CNN later that he would “absolutely” vote for candidate Paul, also asserting that Paul could be steered away from making “these horrific decisions.” The most dangerous man for our country you say, Messrs. Romney and Santorum? But after decades of Paul holding the same positions, you would be able to change his mind overnight? Unlike Michele Bachmann, I hope these GOP candidates can properly pronounce “chutzpah.” Because this is the place to invoke it.
Yes, Ron Paul’s vision for America is a dangerous one. But in saying they would vote for him for president, these top GOP presidential candidates completely undermine their arguments and show that they place party above all else.
