Since 2003, no one has shown as much enthusiasm for the nuclear option than Rick “Man on Dog” Santorum. He’s not only demanded it’s use, he’s promised every right-wing group in DC that he’d help make it happen.
That is, until this week. Suddenly, the man who couldn’t wait to go nuclear has sensed a shift in the political winds. It’s not that the GOP doesn’t have the votes to execute the nuclear option that has Santorum worried, but rather the political impact if they do.
Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.), a leading advocate of the “nuclear option” to end the Democrats’ filibuster of judicial nominees, is privately arguing for a delay in the face of adverse internal party polls.
Details of the polling numbers remain under wraps, but Santorum and other Senate sources concede that, while a majority of Americans oppose the filibuster, the figures show that most also accept the Democratic message that Republicans are trying to destroy the tradition of debate in the Senate.
The Republicans are keeping the “nuclear” poll numbers secret, whereas they have often in the past been keen to release internal survey results that favor the party. David Winston, head of the Winston Group, which conducts Senate GOP polls, did return phone calls seeking comment.
Confirming public disquiet over the “nuclear” or “constitutional” option, Santorum said, “Our polling shows that.”
This is actually amusing on a couple of levels. One, Santorum must have been in denial for months because the political downside for Republicans as part of this scheme have been apparent for months. These poll results may have finally scared Santorum into believing what was fairly obvious all along. And two, since when does Santorum admit to letting polls influence his policies?
Regardless, if Santorum is balking, the nuclear option is in trouble. As Manuel Miranda (yes, that Manuel Miranda) said, “There is no doubt that Santorum was the backbone of this from the very beginning, and he continues to be.”
If this report is accurate, Santorum’s second thoughts may push going nuclear off the table indefinitely. Stay tuned.