COMMENTARY| Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine probably never thought he would come to embody the political sentiments of everyday Americans. He's always had a more radical image.
But when Music Radar asked him who he liked for president, he echoed a growing contingent of Republican voters by endorsing Rick Santorum.
The latest Pew Research report shows that Santorum is running neck-and-neck with Mitt Romney for national GOP preeminence. Perhaps even more striking: Santorum is mopping the floor with Romney in Michigan, Romney's self proclaimed "home state," where his father served as governor. (An RCP average has him up 8.2 percentage points.)
Despite the fact that Santorum's platform, with its emphasis on strict social conservatism and severe spending cuts, is widely considered too extreme to give him a real shot at defeating President Barack Obama (a belief supported by most polls on the subject), a wide range of Republican voters have taken a shine to him -- including evangelical Christians, and -- well -- speed metal icons.
It's no wonder The Ticket's Chris Moody was unsuccessful in getting an official reaction from the campaign on Mustaine's endorsement. What could they say, really?
What gives Santorum such broad appeal? Like most Americans, Mustaine was "completely oblivious" to Santorum until recently. Two things about the candidate struck him as particularly admirable: that Santorum put his family first when his daughter was hospitalized; and, that he hasn't engaged in "these horrible, horrible attack ads like Mitt Romney's done."
Let's be honest: Most of us are tired of the relentless negativity inherent in the "attack ad" strategy. It's a painful reminder of the distasteful bickering that's taken the place of statesmanship in Washington over the last few years.
One thing you can say about Santorum -- he's committed. He knows what he stands for and he articulates his message brilliantly. He's been finagling his way into the hearts of America since he delivered the now famous grandfather's hands speech at the Iowa Caucus.
The problem is he seems poised to focus his considerable will on implementing policies that most Americans oppose. It's downright surreal for a modern presidential candidate to champion the right of states to ban birth control . There doesn't seem to be much room for compromise in the Santorum world view. Voters need to realize they can respect his passion without mistaking it for a practical plan to govern our diverse populace.
