"Santorum surges from behind in Iowa"

[Graygleam]

The above was retweeted by Rick Santorum.

Naturally, the questions being asked are........"Will he be the new flavor of the month?"..........."Can he squeeze out a victory in Iowa?"......."Will Santorum surge across the USA?"

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...3GQP_blog.html

[HomeyG]

The above was retweeted by Rick Santorum.

Naturally, the questions being asked are........"Will he be the new flavor of the month?"..........."Can he squeeze out a victory in Iowa?"......."Will Santorum surge across the USA?"

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...3GQP_blog.html

Possibility, but doesn't really matter. The nation does not necessarily go the way Iowa goes.

[Graygleam]

Possibility, but doesn't really matter. The nation does not necessarily go the way Iowa goes.

You must admit, Homey, that the Office of the President, filled by Santorum, would be something to see.

[HomeyG]

You must admit, Homey, that the Office of the President, filled by Santorum, would be something to see.

Certainly would be a change from our present President.

[Graygleam]

Certainly would be a change from our present President.

Yes, it certainly would.

[HomeyG]

Yes, it certainly would.

If Rick wins I wonder if he will campaign in all 57 states, but I doubt he would be welcome in that Asian country, Hawaii.

[Graygleam]

If Rick wins I wonder if he will campaign in all 57 states, but I doubt he would be welcome in that Asian country, Hawaii.

Rick has already predicted it....................We know we have a lot of work ahead, but by the end of this year, Santorum will be on the lips of every young Republican…..Rick Santorum PR 5/26/11 via Twitter

I predict that Santorum will not only be on the lips of every young Republican, but indeed, on the lips of every American.

[LuciusBeebe]

If I had to place a wager on who would be the next guy involved in a scandal, it would be Santorum. Maybe male pages, maybe an airport bathroom... not sure. Just a hunch.

[TheBigB]

If I had to place a wager on who would be the next guy involved in a scandal, it would be Santorum. Maybe male pages, maybe an airport bathroom... not sure. Just a hunch.

Are you insinuating that Dan Savage's definition of "santorum" might be more accurate than originally intended?

[HoosierHelen]

Rick has already predicted it....................We know we have a lot of work ahead, but by the end of this year, Santorum will be on the lips of every young Republican…..Rick Santorum PR 5/26/11 via Twitter

I predict that Santorum will not only be on the lips of every young Republican, but indeed, on the lips of every American.

How on earth these large churches can maintain their tax exempt status while supporting political candidates escapes my understanding of all that is legal?

I especially appreciated the last 2 sentences of the following article:

Santorum recently added the endorsement of the Rev. Terry Amann of the Walnut Creek Community Church in the Des Moines area. The church has more than 1,100 members, and Amann is one of its most popular pastors.
Interestingly, Santorum asked the pastor to witness to the former senator's breadth of knowledge and experience, not just his faith-based stand on issues.
"Rick Santorum is a humble person of solid character and integrity," Amann said. "He has been a powerful advocate for the unborn, and he has been a strong voice and excellent example for traditional marriage. On all points, Rick Santorum is a solid conservative, both socially and fiscally, and he has the political record to prove it. He also knows that we need to cut spending, cut taxes, and create jobs in order to stimulate the American economy. Senator Santorum is also well-versed in foreign policy. He understands the nuances and complexities of the Middle East and of the threats posed by Islamic jihad."
Who better to recommend an expert on jihad than an evangelical pastor?
No one in Iowa.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/1..._n_1177415.htm

[HomeyG]

How on earth these large churches can maintain their tax exempt status while supporting political candidates escapes my understanding of all that is legal?

I especially appreciated the last 2 sentences of the following article:

Santorum recently added the endorsement of the Rev. Terry Amann of the Walnut Creek Community Church in the Des Moines area. The church has more than 1,100 members, and Amann is one of its most popular pastors.
Interestingly, Santorum asked the pastor to witness to the former senator's breadth of knowledge and experience, not just his faith-based stand on issues.
"Rick Santorum is a humble person of solid character and integrity," Amann said. "He has been a powerful advocate for the unborn, and he has been a strong voice and excellent example for traditional marriage. On all points, Rick Santorum is a solid conservative, both socially and fiscally, and he has the political record to prove it. He also knows that we need to cut spending, cut taxes, and create jobs in order to stimulate the American economy. Senator Santorum is also well-versed in foreign policy. He understands the nuances and complexities of the Middle East and of the threats posed by Islamic jihad."
Who better to recommend an expert on jihad than an evangelical pastor?
No one in Iowa.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/1..._n_1177415.htm

Probably the same way ACORN, NAACP, NOW, JDL, ACLU, and the NRA maintains their nonprofit status.

[armyda]

How on earth these large churches can maintain their tax exempt status while supporting political candidates escapes my understanding of all that is legal?

Some articles that discuss the issue of tax exempt status. Any person can endorse whomever they wish for any office. The issue is when the resources of a tax exempt organization acts to influence an election.

Pulpit Perfidy: More Misinformation In The Wake Of ‘Pulpit Freedom Sunday

The Religious Right’s Partisan Scheme To Politicize Churches

Here is an excellent article on Church State Separation.
Separation of church and state? Not on the 2012 campaign trail.

An additional article: Author is Cal Thomas a former representative for the Moral Majority.
Separation of church and state is as important for ministers as it is for politicians

[HoosierHelen]

Those were some excellent links Army. Thanks for sharing them. Interesting history going back to the Thomas Jefferson time and his response to this same question. Yet it wasn't until LBJ that the law was created.

Homey, In response to your earlier question, regarding ACORN, NAACP, NOW, JDL, ACLU, and the NRA...It seems governmental application of the same rules apply to all religious, educational and charitable organizations in the 501(c)(3) category.

Requirement of abiding by the law is what is missing.

[Graygleam]

Iowa Headline.............."Romney Squeezes Out Santorum".............Now it's on to New Hampshire.

[Graygleam]

Virginia Headline...........Santorum voided from Virginia primary ballot.........

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...rc=al_politics

[HoosierHelen]

Virginia Headline...........Santorum voided from Virginia primary ballot.........

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...rc=al_politics

Pretty sure many are willing to 'call me crazy'...yet...does it not stand to reason that someone who is seriously running for Presidency of the USA would not assign a responsible assistant to handle this matter? This just blows me away that so many of our Presidential candidates who are spending excessive dollars in their campaigns, are not capable of low level leadership (ie has my team assured my ability as a valid candidate to run for Presidency in all states?) Seems like a pretty basic measure of leadership & management to me???

[Graygleam]

Headline........"Santorum Surges Across the Heartland"....................

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/OTUS/...ry?id=15533165

[edeevee]

Headline........"Santorum Surges Across the Heartland"....................

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/OTUS/...ry?id=15533165

Oh goody. This should be fun. Santorum was shielded from his fifteen minutes of fame because conservative Iowans couldn't properly count. Now he'll get his turn to entertain us. These GOP hopefuls seem to be like cockroaches and vampires -- throw a little light their way and they either crawl back under the floorboards or disintegrate. If you guys thought Bachmann, Cain and Moon Unit Gingrich were wacky, just wait till you get a load of this guy. I predict his utter and total destruction in three ... two ... one

Wait. He's still here? Give it time, boys and girls. Put some popcorn on the stove and enjoy the show.

[Common-Tater]

How on earth these large churches can maintain their tax exempt status while supporting political candidates escapes my understanding of all that is legal?

Is it legal? Maybe. Is it legal for Unions to support political candidates that not all of their members support? Can they force money from your paycheck and use it politically in ways you don't support? Hm... Lots of technically illegal things happen all the time.

[HomeyG]

Just can't help displaying your continued sheer ignorance of unions can you C.T.?
Union dues are not used for political activity, there is a separate arm that does
fundraising drives every year for political action, and giving to the P.A.C. is voluntary.

Now this is funny. The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform are having hearings on whether union members should be able to choose which political campaigns their dues support and should labor organizations be forced to share with their members how exactly those political dollars are being spent? If this is voluntary why the hearings. You might also ask your union representative for the Beck disclosure statement to find out where your union dues are being spent.