I was hoping for atleast a second Place Finish, but had some hope for a first place performance. I didn’t pay attention for a few days and then ‘bam’ Santorum. With Mitt sitting comfortably as he has the entire primary process and Paul conducting his usual grassroots, as I was watching on CNN, suddenly Santorum was boasting huge numbers, and I realized what missing a few days can do.

Not to jab Santorum’s campaign – he had little money but traveled lots – but one cannot discount the hype unleashed by the media. For a long time it was a two man race between Paul and Romney, so it wasn’t surprising for a third to be ‘placed’ in.

Santorum boasts a record of voting for the debt ceiling numerous times and being a heavy supporter of earmarks. His foreign policy is quite harsh, with Iran in his sights, and he is VERY socially conservative. When guests on the show were being asked why they supported him, they started rambling about family values and not being able to say much else.

Why do I wish Paul had won? Paul is the most fiscal conservative of the group. He realizes that not only the state is in over 15 trillion of debt, but that this money is owed by the citizens of America. He is much more Socially Liberal than his other rivals also. He doesn’t believe in a constitutional ban on gay marriage and is against the war on drugs. Other topics that are more socially liberal are not government by Paul’s personal beliefs. He believes in strict adherence to the constitution and liberty, and has no desire to dictate and control the lives of Americans with big government. It is costly, and along with the war on drugs, foreign aid, foreign wars, the military budget, the American empire, the nation will only be brought deeper.

He has stood against the Patriot Act and the TSA, and recognized the dangers of the newly passed NDAA, singed by Obama after he claimed he would veto.

Hope isn’t lost yet though. I wouldn’t be surprised in the least if Santorum surges stops and he begins dropping and the other candidates stay low or begin slowly dropping out expect for Huntsman (has campaigned a lot in NH). Paul maintained 20% while experiencing a harsh period of hazing and questioning over racist newsletters. However, this event struck a huge blow as I and many supporters were hoping for atleast a second place finish. New Hampshire will be interesting, and I’m curious to see how Paul campaigns and what ads get released and whom their aimed at (Santorums first potential moment to be in the crosshairs).

Some videos of the man who should have won: