He’s tired. He’s frustrated. He’s defensive. He’s off-message. He’s lashing out. He’s near the end. The anatomy of what I call a campaign’s “death rattle.” As a communications professional, political consultant and insider, I have seen it before, and it won’t be the last time. You might call it a version of “natural selection.” Meaning, as reality looms late in a campaign cycle, how a candidate acts and reacts, naturally reveals their ability, or inability, to function and perform under pressure. And, in my view, this is the case with Rick Santorum.
His off-message comment insinuating we would be no better off with Romney over Obama, followed by his outburst at a New York Times reporter are the definitive signs of what I term a campaign’s “death rattle.” Your head reasons that the end is near, that you’re not going to make it across the goal line, but the candidate’s heart refuses to surrender the battle — it’s a monumental conflict. It manifests itself into the episodes we have seen in recent days and weeks.
As I watch the news coverage, I continue to be amazed at the dialog — Santorum and Gingrich both talk of stopping Romney. Romney talks about winning the White House and stopping OBAMA, and therein lies the difference. At this point, Gingrich rightfully acknowledges he has no chance, as for Santorum, I am hopeful reason will prevail and that his heart will surrender to his head. I have said before, I admire ANYONE who would sacrifice themselves, their families and really their lives for a period of time, in pursuit of service to the people. Where I lose that charity, is when such pursuit becomes a campaign of ego, spite and vengeance. Santorum is treading perilously close at this time, and this is borne out by his evermore shrill rhetoric.
I suggest it is time to reconsider your future Mr. Santorum. This is an election of the greatest import of mine, and many others’ lifetimes. I am hoping we will soon be able to admire TRUE leadership by you stepping aside, accepting the outcome and bid that your campaign rests in peace. Soon.
