Today, Senator Santorum ended his bid for the Presidency of the United States. It marks the end of a campaign but not the end of a cause. After winning eleven states and 3,210,243 votes, it's fair to say that the Santorum campaign, fueled by less money, a less organized structure and saddled with the label of being a seventeen point loser in a re-election battle, shocked the political world.
A few months ago, the whispers began that Iowa might deliver an upset. One of the candidates that received little to no attention throughout 2011 was surging. After Iowa voted, the story was that the underdog fell short by the closest of margins: just eight votes. After that, New Hampshire had its say and the upstart candidate was out of the picture once again. The anointed frontrunner was on course for a 3 for 3 sweep. He had the money, he had the organization and he had the narrative...until word came that he actually didn't win Iowa. And then came February 7th, perhaps the most exciting night of this season. In a true shocker, that defeated Senator took Missouri, Minnesota and Colorado - thought to be safely in Mitt's corner - almost out of no where. It was truly remarkable. It opened a conversation in my party. It halted talk about
anyone being coronated after only a few states had voted. It forced the frontrunner to play defense in states he never imagined he'd have to defend. It gave us a
choice and gave an underdog a voice that very few ever thought he'd have in this race.
This isn't how I and many others wanted the primary campaign to end. But at the same time, while feeling angry that my choice won't be the party's nominee and someone that I truly dislike will be our standard bearer, I can also say that I'm incredibly proud. I had faith in my candidate when almost no one did. I dealt with plenty of mocking throughout this campaign especially early on but that didn't bother me. It comes with the territory.
But even though I had that faith and believed that Santorum was a dark horse that deserved way more credit and attention, I have to admit that Rick went further than I ever imagined was likely. Back in January, I posted a thread about how happy I was to be able to see a primary map that would have at least one other color; one other state that wouldn't have voted for Romney. We see way more than just one state now, my friends. Regardless of how you personally feel about the guy's beliefs or attitude, I think this is something we can all applaud.
The 2006 primary was the first time I was eligible to vote. The primary was a week after my 18th birthday and I was on the ballot for committeeman. While I tell this story now mostly for the laughs, I'll mention it this time because it actually means something: before I voted for myself, I voted for Rick. That was my first vote ever. I was proud of it. I was proud to vote for him again in the General. Now, despite not contesting the state's primary, I get to cast a vote for him one more time: for President. Few people get to say that they got to vote for their political hero for President. I'll be one of the few.
I could use this thread to go on a rant about mistakes that were made during the campaign or blast tactics of other candidates but this is a time to reflect on the good. It's a time to reflect on how it's still possible to defy the odds. Rick was the last legitimate contender standing. That is remarkable. We might not have gone the distance but this primary season has proven that we are not a footnote. We are the Republican Party.
Congrats, Rick.
