Halperin: Santorum Might Have Media 'Rooting For Him'
It's hard to imagine the media rooting, even "cheering" for a social conservative like Rick Santorum. But two certified MSMers claim that Santorum does have the potential to attract such unlikely support.
On today's Morning Joe, Mark Halperin and John Heilemann, co-authors of the best-selling Game Change about the 2008 election, both opined that Santorum, given his appealing blue-collar background—and if he can avoid getting prickly with the press—could indeed find the media rooting for him. Video after the jump.
Interestingly, it was another guest, David Brody of the Christian Broadcasting Network and author of a blog item warning people not to underestimate Santorum, who first raised Rick Santorum's reputation for being prickly with the media.
Another Surprising Prediction: Earlier in the show, Joe Scarborough, who has been very pessimistic about the general election prospects of a number of Republican contenders, emphatically stated that Santorum "absolutely" could beat Obama. Scarborough added that people in Manhattan and Washington don't get Santorum. Mika Brzezinski was a perfect example of that phenomenon, repeatedly brooding about Santorum being "very conservative" and holding "troubling" views.
DAVID BRODY: I think [Santorum] will be a force to be reckoned with. I think, honestly, one of the concerns going forward for Santorum, something we really haven't talked too much about, really anywhere, is this ornery side of him. You know, he's prickly. And he likes to get on the media's case. And I think he has to be very careful that he doesn't get into the back-and-forth, because that scrutiny's coming, and when it does, how is he going to handle himself?
JOE SCARBOROUGH: I see Mark and John both saying yes, yes.
MARK HALPERIN: One of the vulnerabilities Mitt Romney has is the press has not been rooting for him, the way the press was rooting for George Bush in '99, for McCain later in that campaign. It's left him vulnerable, but there's been no one in the race that the press has really rooted for to take over from Romney and take him on. None of them has really courted the press. I'm talking about the press across the board, not just the old media but the new media as well. Santorum has that potential right now. But he is prickly, particularly with reporters. It's a reality of the process, you've got to have some people in the media implicitly at least cheering for you. Santorum can do that. He can do it.
JOHN HEILEMANN: That's why this class thing is important, because the press, if he can play up his gritty, blue-collar roots--not because the press is blue coller, obviously--but because that's an appealing story. Even Pat Buchanan back in 1996 had parts of the liberal media rooting for him because he seemed like he was an outsider, because he seemed like a genuine, blue-collar guy. That can work for him in New Hampshire if he doesn't get thin-skinned and scratchy and resentful.
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Comments
At least until he actually
Submitted by motherbelt on Wed, 01/04/2012 - 8:35am.
At least until he actually gets the nomination......LOL
BTW, Mark, I love your description of Mika as "brooding." That's so true!
Not So, MB
Submitted by stratman on Wed, 01/04/2012 - 6:45pm.
ABC News already out of the box praising Santorum:
Brian Ross and a buddy begin firing salvos a little after 4 PM today. Only Romney, Huntsman and, for the most part, Paul will escape MSM evisceration in the Primary because they are seen as infinitely better candidates from the Leftist point of view than Santorum. Each of them, however, will be easy pickings during the General Election.
LOL: great point, mb!
Submitted by Mark Finkelstein on Wed, 01/04/2012 - 8:34am.
LOL: great point, mb!
So having beliefs, and
Submitted by amyshulk on Wed, 01/04/2012 - 8:56am.
So having beliefs, and holding to them is "troubling"? This all you got Mika? Afraid Santorum's core will show that Pres. Obama lacks one?
After decades of nanny statism, I'm am so not "troubled" by the thought that we'll possibly have a president who might want to steer the debate based on religious teachings!
As long as Santorum loses his whininess, I'll listen to him.
Ronald Reagan
Don't ever, ever...
Submitted by P. Aaron on Wed, 01/04/2012 - 9:29am.
...believe anyone in the liberal 'mainstream' media.
Did Halpern say the Press was
Submitted by inquiringmind on Wed, 01/04/2012 - 9:30am.
Did Halpern say the Press was rooting for George Bush!?! Call me Rip Van Winkel, I must have just woke up and missed that one!
Seriously? Seriously? (in the parlance of the Occupiers)
Submitted by WhoIsJohnGalt on Wed, 01/04/2012 - 9:44am.
You don't remember how Al Gore was constantly attacked and questioned about his military record and how he got a pass during Vietnam because of his daddy? The questions about his drug and alcohol use? The constant crap about his college years and how he was just a dunce in a suit? Remember how the mainstream press called the state of Florida for George Bush before the polls even closed in half the state, and later called the entire election for George Bush before the west coast state's polls had closed? And who can forget how the press was constantly attacking Al Gore for trying to defend himself against that frivolous lawsuit by George Bush to selectively recount Republican stronghold counties in Florida?
I am remembering correctly, am I not???
By the way, when does the starship "Dashing Unicorn" land? I've got my ticket, and I can't wait to soar the astral plane in search of little green men...
you are not remembering
Submitted by TruthMonger on Wed, 01/04/2012 - 11:16am.
you are not remembering correctly. thanks for making it easy
gore was propped up regarding his military record, bush was reemed for only being in the national gaurd - remember? gore a dunce in college? it was bush who was mocked for his intelliegence despite holding a harvard mba. regarding the election the dems did everything they could to circumvent election law and it took the supreme court to stop them, gore only wanted to recount dem-friendly counties in florida - california was irrelivent to the 2000 recount...
Congratulations Jimmy Carter!
TM,
Submitted by Agnostic on Wed, 01/04/2012 - 11:29am.
If that is how you remember things then you need to report to the nearest media outlet to schedule your 'History' Upgrade. Truth is in the eye of the Party.
we already know that about
Submitted by TruthMonger on Wed, 01/04/2012 - 11:39am.
we already know that about democrats
Congratulations Jimmy Carter!
My goodness, I suppose my sarcasm
Submitted by WhoIsJohnGalt on Wed, 01/04/2012 - 3:29pm.
Wasn't clear enough. Of course I realize that Gore was the object of the media's affection, and Bush was indeed the object of their scorn. Next time I' need to be more clear.
What did you think my wacky reference to the spaceship was all about?
WJG, I knew what you meant.
Submitted by inquiringmind on Wed, 01/04/2012 - 3:55pm.
WJG, I knew what you meant.
Big Ditto!
Submitted by Rovin on Wed, 01/04/2012 - 11:25am.
So, according to Halpern, more than half the country slept through this cheerleading session for Bush. One simple warning: If anyone in the MSM is advocating for a particular Republican candidate, be very suspicious of their motives.
If Santorum gets the
Submitted by motherbelt on Wed, 01/04/2012 - 9:32am.
If Santorum gets the nomination, prepare to hear the word "theocracy" until your ears bleed.
one man's trash is another man's treasure
Submitted by MidAmerica on Wed, 01/04/2012 - 9:33am.
The media is worried a candidate won't treat them well? LOL I'm sure that is a trait that a lot of the voting public loves.
Media wh**res
Submitted by Tomorama on Wed, 01/04/2012 - 10:14am.
This line is so bleeped up, but really says it all:
"None of them has really courted the press".
So IF you are a Republican and don't call out the press for their bias and challenge them you then get GOOD PRESS?
Is that the job of the press to play favorites and to ROOT for candidates or is to challenge all candidates and report the facts and answers so WE decide?
They hammer Romney for one reason, HE WOULD BEAT OBAMA.
They will do what they do with all Republicans in regards to Santorum, build him up so he can go after Romney and hurt him and then when he starts gaining traction, VET HIM viciously like they NEVER did Obysmal.
Then Obysmal looks good to the indies.
this is why he will not win
Submitted by TruthMonger on Wed, 01/04/2012 - 11:28am.
this is why he will not win the nomination - in spite of the press promo - this is probably just santorum's time to bump for a week or two anyway...
Congratulations Jimmy Carter!
the media only roots for democrats
Submitted by ohio granny on Wed, 01/04/2012 - 10:31am.
Mark Halperin you are a liar. The media only roots for democrats/liberals. They wanted John McCain to get the nomination in 2008 and look how they turned on him. Anytime they support a republican you can bet your bottom dollar they only do so because they think that person will be a weaker opponent for the dems/obama.
Santorum made it clear last night
Submitted by Ashrak on Wed, 01/04/2012 - 11:00am.
that he is going to go after the midwest union bloc.
He sees that Barry and the Democrats have "alienated" the trade union membership, in favor of the civil service unions and their leadership, and he sees the crack there to exploit.
Media is, or at least will be, rooting for him as a means of avoiding Mitt Romney running away with it. The last thing media wants is a short Republican primary campaign. However, their attempt at steering may well backfire. Me thinks Santorum is going to surprise more in New Hampshire than he did in Iowa.
Rachel Maddow was stunned almost silent right after Santorum's speech last night. It took her a while to become comfortable as she started droning on about how much fun it will be to hammer Santorum on Birth Control Bans.
Abortion, along with its offshoots like birth control, is the only thing the lefties can tag Santorum about. Do they really think they can make that last a year? Yeah Rach, you might have some "fun" trying to mock Santorum on that issue, but when push comes to shove, that one trick pony ain't gonna win the show.
Now, if Santorum is smart, he will snap in Hew Hampshire on a particular issue, once where he can toast Newt and Romney with their own positions.
Gun rights.
Mitt and Newt are easily exposable on the big government control over inalienable rights positions they both hold regarding that particular issue. New Hampshire voters would think hard about supporting Mitt if they thought Massachusetts Gun Control was on its way to Hew Hampshire. Santorum would do well to point it out, over and over and over. As he touted the bitter clinger point last night, me thinks Santorum is gonna do exactly that.
Santorum's speech last night was most excellent. It was a good bit better than I expected. The stuck on stupid party still wants Romney, and Aaron Schock coming out this morning on MSNBC stumping for Romney shows that (and that Aaron has been fully integrated into the Establishment hierarchy). Santorum, and the people who stepped up to support him last night, showed that the Establishment Republicans cannot garner more than a 25% powerbase. That means Romney is not a shoe in. It was good that Newt hinted at support for Santorum last night. First, Romney must be defeated, and then Barry must be defeated.
IMHO, Santorum is able to beat Barry, handily. With the Establishment Republican Party left with no other option but to support him, and the family values he so focuses on, Santorum creams Barry. With Santorum's nomination, Sarah stays out and so does Trump. If Mitt gets it ,one will run as third party and the other way run independent.
Me, I am still voting for Sarah regardless, but it looks to me like Santorum is gonna ensure that we do not have a Romney versus Obama progressive debacle.
That is a very, very good thing for this entire country and everyone in it.
YEAH, RIGHT
Submitted by Sgthulka on Wed, 01/04/2012 - 11:53am.
He's kidding, right?
The MSM will try to eviscerate any Republican this year. Santorum just hasn't come up on their radar screens yet.
Santorum is a weanie and would lose badly to Obama
Submitted by cbeyer on Wed, 01/04/2012 - 1:46pm.
Where as Romney is Presidential and impressive, Santorum is a weanie who whined his way through the debates. Yes....for the purists he is there on the issues but a Santorum candidacy would insure four more years!
Romney is Presidential and impressive;---
Submitted by matthewdean on Wed, 01/04/2012 - 6:49pm.
why, that's exactly what the Lib-Dims say about Obama.
While I am for ABO, Romney is McCain redux, only without a record of being stalwart while a POW.
MD
Matthew
Submitted by Radical1979 on Wed, 01/04/2012 - 7:03pm.
Romney = Scott Brown
We're toast.
An accurate description, Rad, though ---
Submitted by matthewdean on Wed, 01/04/2012 - 7:23pm.
sad.
I simply can not get past the possibility of the ObamaCare abomination possibly being back-burnered, or let off the hook, politics-wise, because of RomneyCare, a financial debacle all it's own .
MD
one bit of good news
Submitted by Agnostic on Thu, 01/05/2012 - 9:31am.
should Romney get the nomination and elected there is no one better suited to know how to tear down ObamaCare on the Republican side than Romney - as long as he keeps his campaign promise. Of course some of that will rely on who controls the House and Senate. (I separate the Congress now because the media seems to have forgotten there is two houses of Congress)