'America is a Moral Enterprise at its Core': Santorum Wins South Carolina Straw Poll

'America is a Moral Enterprise at its Core'. It is also desperately in need of moral leadership.

Rick Santorum surprised a number of political pundits when he came in first in the poll with 31 percent of the votes cast. "We have people talking in our party that we need to go away from the moral issues. America, ladies and gentlemen, is a moral enterprise at its core."

P>GREENVILLE, SC (Catholic Online) - Since 2011 began I have written several articles concerning the potential (now almost certain) candidacy of former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum for the Presidency of the United States in the 2012 campaign. I make no apologies for my high regard for this man, his gifts, and his family.

I pledged in past articles to watch his movements over the next few months. That is why I write to report the results of a Straw Poll which took place among Republican activists on Saturday, April 9, 2011 in Greenville County, South Carolina. The Straw Poll ballot named 14 Republican presidential hopefuls. Rick Santorum surprised a number of political pundits when he came in first in the poll with 31 percent of the votes cast. It didn't surprise me at all.

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich came in second with 14 percent. Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann and real estate mogul and entrepreneur Donald Trump each captured 7 percent to tie for third place. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney - who announced the formation of his Presidential exploratory committee Monday  - and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie - who says he is not running - each received 6 percent. Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour tied with Texas Rep. Ron Paul and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee for fifth place with each receiving five percent.

Senator Santorum was the last to speak to the convention before the straw poll was taken. He told those gathered, "We have people talking in our party that we need to go away from the moral issues.  America, ladies and gentlemen, is a moral enterprise at its core."  He is absolutely correct. This insight is consistent with his detailed policy reflections which were set forth in a 2005 book he wrote entitled, It Takes a Family: Conservatism and the Common Good.

One of the Press reports on this important Straw Poll win - which surprised many political pundits -  referred to the Senators comment on America as "focusing more on philosophy than policy." It is that kind of shallow review of the coming Presidential election campaign which motivates me all the more to closely and carefully cover this critical race.  There is too much at stake.

Throughout my career, I have hung a picture of St. Thomas More, the patron of all politicians and public servants, in my office. As a human rights and constitutional lawyer, Thomas More has been my patron, an example of a faithful Catholic who always lived a unity of life and never compromised the truth.

When I first visited then Senator Santorum's office on Capitol Hill I was not surprised to see the same painting on his wall. I believe that he is a contemporary Thomas More; a man who exemplifies what we so desperately need in public service these days.  He remains faithful to his deeply held convictions.  He has a heart for those who have no voice.  He is dedicated to the true common good of all.

When I read It Takes a Family: Conservatism and the Common Good, I was first struck by the title.  I have written about the concept of the "common good" for years.  This book was filled with substantive ideas, rooted in the principles derived from authentic Catholic social doctrine, the patrimony of the American founders and Western civilization and an authentic understanding of the Natural law. It Takes a Family: Conservatism and the Common Good, presented a governing vision for the future of this Nation. 

He wrote of the essential relationship between solidarity, (the truth that we are indeed our brother's keeper and that we have an obligation to the needy), and subsidiarity, an ordering principle which encourages good governance by recognizing the vital role of the family and the mediating associations and institutions as participating in that governance, starting from below, at the smallest level first.

He did not reject a proper role for government, as some conservatives and libertarians can seem to do.  He rightly rejected a tendency to exalt its federalized version and move from the top down in its application.  He presented instead a vision of "good governance," good in its moral foundation and good in its practical application.  His treatment of the faith based and community initiatives was replete with numerous real life, inspiring, stories from people whose lives, families and communities have been transformed through them.

He wrote of religious freedom as a fundamental human right and articulated a clear understanding of the First Amendment, with both its establishment and free exercise clauses.  He addressed the abuse of judicial power and the growing problems arising out of the threats to the separation of powers.  He addressed the different types of "capital"; financial, social, economic, moral, cultural and intellectual and how together they can serve the expansion of freedom by encouraging free people to participate.

He addressed the struggle over the definition of freedom, affirming that authentic freedom must be exercised with reference to the truth. Human persons can only flourish when they choose the good. In an age that has mistaken the right to do whatever one wants as 'freedom," the Senator re-presented a freedom to do what is right, with responsibility to the other and at the service of the common good.

It Takes a Family: Conservatism and the Common Good presented a compelling vision for building a culture of life, family, freedom and solidarity. When liberalism loses its soul, it becomes libertinism. When conservatism loses its soul, it becomes libertarianism. This book proclaimed true liberty.  It did more than critique what was and is wrong; it proposed a path to a brighter future. By far, the strongest part of the book was its clear analysis of the role of the family as the foundation of a truly free and virtuous society.

That book was written six years ago.  Since then, the former Senator from Pennsylvania has shown that he knows how to make mistakes and learn from them.  Like a good red wine, his insights into public policy issues have improved with age.  His continued loving care for his family only underscores the fact that the title of that book is the commitment of his life.

His successes outside of public office have only reaffirmed my convictions concerning the character, skills, gifts and mettle of this good man.  All of this also explains why I was not surprised at all when he won the Straw Poll in South Carolina.  Former Senator Rick Santorum is correct, 'America is a Moral Enterprise at its Core.'  It is also desperately in need of moral leadership.

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