What Team Sport ! Play the Play !

        “Politics is a team sport” is  an article  written by opinion writer Charles Blow in the February 23 New York Times. In that article, Blow analyzes the words of Republican candidate, Rick Santorum in response to questions asked in Wednesday’s debate. In defending his support for No Child Left Behind, Santorum answered that he voted for it, although it was against his principles because “when you’re part of the team, sometimes you take one for the leader and I made a mistake. You know politics is a team sport. You’ve got to rally together.”

      Blow presented polls and surveys that show that Santorum’s RepublicanParty is against “team sport and rallying together” unlike the Democrats who believe in compromises for the greater good of the nation.  While I agree with Charles Blow that Santorum exposed his” legislative underbelly”, I fully disagree that it revealed a weakness of Santorum. In describing himself  in one word, Santorum said “courage.” What courage? Where is his courage to stand up for what is right, regardless of opposition from his Republican peers?  Of course I agree with Blow and Santorum that compromise is good. I readily admit that team sport is what this nation needs. However, and ironically that is what Santorum continuously attack president Obama about. All of the issues that he has criticized the President for, were brought about because President  Obama genuinely believes and practices this theme that "politics is team sport and sometimes you've got to rally together”. Unfortunately for Santorum, if his fellow Republican, Romney, had not “out” him, I would never had known that he went  “against his principles.”

     I agree with Charles Blow that "Santorum take on compromises is one of the more reasonable things he said lately". Sadly though , compromise is not one of the things he has practiced and ranted about  lately. Check his votes on earmarks. Then check his rants. Better yet; check his votes on Plan Parenthood. Then check his rants. Charles Blow, I am sure this man of courage will say “ I made a mistake “. But is it Jekyll or is it Hyde?