Rich Lowry on Rick Santorum's Bid

I guess this is generally positive.

He started this campaign basically with his convictions and a shoestring. He got amazingly far, all things considered. He came within a few points of dealing Romney a grievous blow in Michigan and upending the race. But he never had the money and organization to compete with Romney–and those things matter. Despite his working-class pitch, he was never able to extend his reach enough beyond his evangelical base.

I always liked that blue-collar pitch, as I had liked it in Tim Pawlenty, too.

Santorum is a man of principle who lives his convictions and is never afraid to defend them. He believes deeply in the American idea. That he was able to do so well based almost entirely on off-the-cuff remarks throughout the campaign is a testament to his experience and his knowledge of the issues. He takes politics seriously. His argument that the breakdown in the family is undermining economic mobility and the America dream is important and too-often neglected. Finally, he had the grace to know when to bow out.

The breakdown of the family is also pretty damn important. My problem with highlighting that, though, is that it is a social problem, caused by tens of millions of decisions over the course of decades.

To me, a governmental response to such a large force -- a tidal wave of social dysfunction -- would require a government empowered beyond the point at which I'm comfortable.

But an important issue, yes.

posted by Ace at 04:09 PM

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