Wont to Want

I've experienced something of an out of body politic experience in the wake of Rick Santorum's recent announcement of his candidacy for President of the United States in 2016.  That is to say, his withdrawal from the 2012 primary race.  I was sort of disappointed to see him go.

The state of the race has been so frustratingly directionless that I've avoided commenting for a good long time.  So take that Process!  Yet now that it has ended with a whimper, I'm struck by a new perspective.

Why did I so loathe Mr. Santorum's positions and yet quietly champion his candidacy?  Why do I find the very idea of Mitt Romney so              ?  Mr. Santorum has been nothing if not an improbable candidate.  His tireless and Quixotic efforts in Iowa will be taught in political science departments across the country.  Unfortunately since they will all be taught by socialists the lessons will be pathetically wrong.  Regardless, it is impossible to overlook Mr. Santorum's passion and conviction.  He may be six kinds of crazy, but he fervently believes in seven of them.  

In contrast Mr. Romney has perfected the awkwardness of indecision.  It isn't that he doesn't make arguments while pointing his finger with vigor.  It is that this delivery seems like a badly learned lesson in a poorly taught acting class.  When it comes to Mr. Romney, few believe that conviction is distinguishable from convenience.  He will now almost certainly be the Republican nominee for president, and yet he can't even convince people he's certain.

So why the different effect?  Each of these men has realized meaningful electoral success. Yet their approaches are diametrically opposed.  The right question is, what do they want?  

It is often asked, "Who would want to be president?"  Yet in selecting a president we rarely apply that logic.  And in this is my revelation: Take away all the form and substance and spin and simply ask, why do these men want to be president?

This, I think, is getting to the paradox.  Mr. Romney seems to want to be president because being president is prestigious and was denied his dad.  It is the highest achievement of someone of his breeding, education, and aspiration.  The presidency is itself a good worth attaining.  

Mr. Santorum wants--I intend the present tense-- to be president to champion underdog causes and press issues.  He fervently believes that the convictions of his heart are prescriptions for the nation.  It is the highest calling for someone of his feeling, faith, and inspiration.  The cause is itself worth championing. 

The tendency toward causes versus the tendency toward accomplishments.  This is the difference.  I have no doubt that Mitt Romney's leadership is better for the country than Mr. Santorum's allegiances.  Yet, it is hard to escape an uncomfortable truth: Santorum wants it for all the right reasons, even if he is wrong.  Mitt wants it for all the wrong reasons, even if he is right.  

This, I think, is why I say good riddance to Mr. Santorum while a bit verklempt.