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The Hill Report: Santorum's 'tepid' endorsement

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    Bob Cusack from The Hill on how Rick Santorum has positioned himself for 2016

  • Duration 8:34
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Welcome back to on the Honda foxnews.com.

-- bulb could sack a familiar face to all -- -- course.

Joining us now from DC -- -- is the managing editor all of the hill one -- off favorite.

Political publications.

I'll tell lots going on today there's the -- by the way as we put it up on screen field take a look at go check it out it really is a fascinating read always.

-- we were told -- with a panel with Carl Cameron about -- -- Less than enthusiastic.

Endorsement of governor Romney by Rick Santorum what do you make of it.

Well you know Santorum obviously had a good run and a lot of people think he's gonna run for president again and and he said he regretted endorsing on the campaign trail Romney 2008 so -- is a tough position that.

That he has consistently said we shouldn't.

Nominate a moderate.

Because when we must -- nominate moderates like John McCain they don't win so.

It's kind of central was boxed in I think he he wanted to endorse somebody couldn't given that.

Full throated endorsement just because he just said recently that he -- him backing the 2008 but don't go I think Santorum is.

It is going to have a key slot at the convention idea.

You that you think you that he will be given about primetime speaking slot well.

I don't well I think he will I'm maybe not.

I think -- be given a prime time.

Slot but it will be come early in the week not later in the week so won't overshadow anything.

That Romney is doing but.

This Santorum a lot of Republicans feel like -- he attacked Mitt Romney but he didn't hit below the belt like Newt Gingrich did -- -- -- Mitt Romney ally -- and go after he's recruited being.

So they felt like his attacks were well within the realm and -- obviously Romney at counterattack so.

The primary is all about a bruising battle and then unify but this was this was a tepid endorsement kind of like -- but.

But Ron he's just glad he's got an you know he's got the endorsement he's got the nomination all wrapped up but got a -- about about Ron Paul what he's -- But he his focus is now on -- And a -- yelled get to -- -- in a moment that's -- he's always interesting but -- do you think there Rick Santorum has positioned himself.

If the Republicans you know when the -- has this time around.

To run again in 2016 would he be a strong candidate given the sort of -- -- relatively powerful figures who seem to be waiting in the wings.

What he'd basically finish second.

And so he would be the next one.

In line and Republicans usually nominate the next person in line did that this time with with Romney they did it with McCain -- it with Bob Dole.

Do I think that he would be the favorite Santorum now I don't because I think -- -- -- a lot of people living in me getting into that race whether that says senator.

John soon know whether that's Marco Rubio -- depends on who.

Romney will pick his VP Adam.

Certain -- I would bet a lot of money that -- is not gonna -- Santorum is BP.

So Santorum could be -- in 2016 yes we raise a lot more money they did this time.

Yes would -- be strong candidate yes but I don't think he'd be the favorite because it's going to be.

It's gonna be a crowded race and that of course assumes that Mitt Romney does not win in and point well.

-- involving you mentioned Rome poll he keeps guilty he still actually -- -- the only other candidate I think left standing.

Walk is going on with a rumble.

Down that's good question I mean what does Ron Paul want.

A lot of people are asking that question and he's in his followers there aren't getting delegates at the convention -- not gonna deny whether it's in in certain states like.

Maine -- Massachusetts -- deny.

Mitt Romney the denomination but they could make trouble they couldn't -- could be a kind of a PR fiasco so.

Romney and Paul seemed to have a fairly good relationship -- -- and Ronnie did not go at it certainly not like.

Ron Paul and -- -- When and it's so.

I think that Romney is gonna -- bring him into the fold I think Ron Paul wants some things that -- in the platform on monetary policy or possibly pushing.

Ben Bernanke out if if Romney.

Wins the presidency.

There but he can't he can't torpedo this party because his son Rand Paul is -- also considered.

A presidential candidate down the road so -- Ron Paul this is I think his last run these 77.

He's not gonna run again we interviewed him before he Randy said maybe one more time but but that would be it.

So that Ron Paul's not gonna run again but he has to think of his son and his -- in the party.

But it this is one to watch because who knows how Ron Paul is very unpredictable I guess that's official at.

You talk about influencing the platform ball doesn't really match up for our viewers who are looking in this and then we'll be watching the convention they hear about the party platform.

Does that really buying did the presidential candidate to anything at all or is it just window dressing fought to keep people like rumble happy.

Yeah I it keeps a political press busy with it was copy on it over -- -- and there are interest squabble intra party squabbles on on both sides we saw that -- 2008 on on both sides as far as.

Getting certain language into the platform but all in all I agree it doesn't really make that much difference because presence can change their mind they don't have to -- here to there.

To the policy in the platform Republicans.

Last time in 2008 they really they strike it down because this is used to be -- very very long dot document and data Republicans like Kevin McCarthy from.

From California who's now the house majority whip said -- this is too long let's -- is that let's simplify this so it's more readable.

But all in all is a platform a very big deal for the average -- voter now.

Aren't I mentally event influence within the party keep -- -- seemed to be.

Less influential than they would two years ago but targeting certain -- and then looking at the senate -- on December from your reporting.

-- yeah we reported today you know there's a big race in Indiana today in anti party at candidate Richard Murdoch -- is up against and is now the favorite to -- Senator Dick Lugar a Republican from Indiana and -- Murdoch is a Tea Party -- and there are other Tea Party candidates.

In many states -- just Mandell and Ohio Sarah Steelman in Missouri.

We're seeing a bit of that resurgence of the Tea Party they're not have Paul -- not where they were 2010.

But this of course Democrats are rooting for some of these candidates like Murdoch today to win the primary because then they they feel we can.

We -- betray that candidate as very extreme and win the general election and we did see that it in 2010.

We saw that in Delaware after Christine O'Donnell beat Mike Castle then she lost a general election also the Republican Ken Buck in Colorado.

-- of course Sharon angle a Tea Party favorite lost to Harry Reid so.

There is a resurgence of the Tea Party but some Republicans a little bit too nervous that.

That that if these Tea Party candidates when they may not be able to win the general election but certainly there's a bit of resurgence and if.

Murdoch wins today as he is now expected to do that's a big victory for the Tea Party bottom -- yet that's it that's a big name to take -- Dick Lugar he's got quite a storied history.

Definitely he's been in the senate.

36 years while -- respected.

But he is also has a very close relationship with that present Obama that did not help them in the primary he he tried to distance himself.

From the president but I think primary voters.

Again absent today.

Bottom well I've got to -- bald guy just a quick question on the cultural issues we.

Lot of talk this week a ban gay marriage.

These are all little full as that we going to see going off on the on the various social issues threat election season.

Or all they are other cultural issues going to be a genuine.

Pot all of.

The decision making do you think.

I think did there but I think the economy just drowns everything out president Obama's -- words the awkwardness in this area with Joseph Biden.

Being on another side of the fence on this issue I think plays as the Republican narrative of -- Obama what is he gonna do in his second term we don't know whether it's on.

Gay marriage or -- keystone Republicans.

Saying that that he can do a lot of gun control measures I don't think that will happen but but certainly Republicans are talking up the fact that you can't trust -- Obama.

In a second term as some Republicans are saying that's why we need to have a Republican senate to make sure that and build kind of a legislate a fence around.

The White House.

Whoever is in the White House whether it's Mitt Romney but I think it does play in the narrative what is Obama going to do and I think in the debates Romney could go after him on that what what are you going to do.

But overall the economy rules and that's when it.

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