You're watching...
Reason’s Matt Welch explains why a Rick Santorum candidacy could be the death knell of limited government principles in the GOP
Also in this playlist...
Auto-advance: ON
Auto-advance
This transcript is automatically generated
I fight very strongly against libertarian influence within the Republican Party in the conservative movement.
Stood -- to make you think twice about some Republicans professed commitment to free them.
And worry for the future of the Republican Party can constitutional.
Principles survive.
In Rick santorum's vision of the Republican Party.
We bring in good friend of the show reason magazine.
That -- matter it's a pleasure welcome back to freedom -- -- what they happen to.
A couple of days ago how did our Rick Santorum.
Become the winner of the week is the Republican Party going more towards his brand of I where our religion on my sleeve and I want to make you agree with me and I want to regulate your private life or was this just an aberration.
In this election cycle.
I think both in this election cycle any time Mitt Romney looks like he's going to be anointed the front runner.
Then the voters in some states say I'll hold on don't rush me -- -- rate to have that happen just yet.
Because that Ronnie doesn't really excite anyone the base is kind of a -- that you hold up to the incoherence the modern Republican Party.
Santorum is a good campaign -- he's been -- very good on the stump.
For his ideas and he represents ideas that a lot of Republicans not necessary libertarians.
Hold dear he's basically the compassionate conservative.
Champion out their running well what.
What do you think and his -- dean for libertarians and in the clip that we just ran.
Is is the second one that -- that was another one that's out there you've probably seen.
Where he says I don't know of any time in history where individualism.
Has brought happiness -- prosperity I -- he forgot about the first two thirds of American history.
Before the progressive era -- -- -- Wilson Teddy Roosevelt came along but we're bringing this to today.
Couldn't possibly get the nomination -- he got equity possibly win without bringing libertarians in the instead of freezing them.
Notes.
I don't think that he can win and he would certainly lose if he keeps this up but it's and it's a heartfelt reflection of his views he thinks that declaration the independent of independence and the constitution.
Our programs against radical individualism he thinks that they.
In view in -- my sense of that we should restrain the individual for making all these personal autonomy type of choices and that is a legitimate role of government it's our cock eyed view but it's one that unfortunately I think a lot of Republicans hold -- does Mitt Romney hold that view as well does Newt Gingrich.
Well I think if anyone knows what Mitt Romney's actual views -- -- added -- got a great career ahead of them.
And Newt Gingrich just wants -- as you know fire every judge that he disagrees with now -- there there is a strong feeling it's both the compassionate conservatives also neo conservatives they are.
Have been anti libertarian -- named John McCain and George W.
Bush.
Both singled out libertarians as well you can find clips of them -- saying that.
By name too so libertarians have been marginalized kind of friends that thing is right now they -- on the grow their messages more popular.
And the Republican message is less populous they're trying to figure out the sort of us and that right now.
Probably the most conservative Republican in the United States senate -- demand from South Carolina was just on the show a few minutes ago.
He says that Republicans.
Will fail without libertarians.
And any Republican that excludes them rather than tries to bring them in and we'll destroy the party do you agree.
I do and and unfortunately for Jim demands it might be a little bit too late -- I think he's right to try to reach out to -- -- that is actually.
Really the only tendency within the kind of -- right coalition that is actually serious about cutting government that I think gentlemen to serious about it sue.
But.
That tendency -- -- -- as supporters of Ron Paul.
Aren't buying it from Republicans anymore and so they're gonna have to do more than say -- -- I'm in favor of cut cap and balance see -- on during during an election year.
-- I its -- is the U Ron -- -- might not be portable.
Matt -- always a pleasure thanks for your analysis thanks for joining us thank you -- up --
