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Soledad O’Brien Challenges Rick Santorum’s Press Secretary Over His ‘Take One For The Team’ Comment

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» 46 comments

The morning after CNN’s Republican presidential debate (perhaps the last one of them all!), Soledad O’Brien had a little chat with Alice Stewart, Rick Santorum‘s press secretary. O’Brien immediately tackled Santorum’s “take one for the team” remark and went on to challenge Santorum’s self-proclaimed status as the only true conservative in the race.

Stewart declared that Santorum did “a great job…despite the distortions from other candidates.” O’Brien then took on the “team” comment, asking about the portrayal that seemed “as if Washington is all about two teams going at it and the American people are stuck on the sidelines.” Stewart responded:

In that particular instance he was referring to the No Child Left Behind issue. And while he did support it then, he has come to learn that federal government shouldn’t have a role in our education. It should not be left up to the federal government and in particular the state, as well. He believes education should be left to the local level, and he is a strong supporter of that.

Will Cain, a CNN political contributor, added: “He was coming off as unlikable, as defensive, he kind of fought for time. Are you worried last night he almost slipped back into that attitude? He seemed a little defensive last night.”

Stewart replied, essentially saying that, as a frontrunner, Santorum had “a big target on his back.” Later in the segment, she dismissed Ron Paul calling Santorum “a fake” — a tactic that “certainly isn’t working for the congressman” — and staunchly stated, “there is no one more consistent than Rick Santorum.”

O’Brien ended simply with agreeing to disagree.

Watch the full segment, via CNN:

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  • L. Ron Gloveard

    “Soledad O’Brien Grills Santorum’s Press Secretary…”

    She’s always “grilling” or raking somebody over the coals.  
    Like a cooking show host.
    She should wear a hairnet.

  • Anonymous

    Al Stewart’s Year Of The Cat is an awesome album, I didn’t know she was the spokesman for Santorum though. Lame.

  • Anonymous

    As long as its a conservative she’s talking to.  I’ve yet to see a Mediaite story on her grilling a leading Democrat on anything having to do with policy.

  • Anonymous

    Only one correction LRon – she is always “grilling”….republicans or conservatives.  She hardly treats democrat guests in such a manner.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ketan-Pattani/100000305045290 Ketan Pattani

    The following picture summarizes pretty much what happened last night.  LOL!

    http://i.imgur.com/hJeXL.png 

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Emma-Thomas/100003357377085 Emma Thomas

    They are easy to grill is why.

  • F. Douglas

    Soledad doesn’t grill Democrats. She slobbers over them. Or does fist bumps with them.

  • Pablo

    The following picture summarizes the current state of the race. LOL!

    http://tinyurl.com/3hvb7w5

    WE! ARE! THE 12.3%!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ketan-Pattani/100000305045290 Ketan Pattani

    We are 2nd in delegates.  Enjoy!  Even John King admitted.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7PDwmDlS7I

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ketan-Pattani/100000305045290 Ketan Pattani

    And Paul beats Obama too. 

    Ron Paul Beats Obama in ArizonaNBC/Marist Poll:http://maristpoll.marist.edu/wp-cont…l%20Tables.pdfRon Paul Beats Obama in IowaDesMoines Register Poll: http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/d…ntorum-romney/Ron Paul Beats Obama in OhioFox News Poll:http://www.foxnews.com/interactive/p…cape-shifting/Ron Paul Beats Obama in VirginiaWason Center for Public Policy/Richmond Times-Dispatch Poll:http://www.cnu.edu/cpp/pdf/Survey_Re…eb_20_2012.pdf 

  • Charles Ulysses Feney

    Santorum lost in 2006 (by 18%!) because he was a rabid Iraq war supporter when that bloody fraud had gone south.  He and Rumsfield left TOGETHER!  Last night,he showed he’ a rabid Iran invasion for Israel supporter!

    The Dog returns to his vomit!

    In 2006, Rick got tossed like a bum
    A premonition of things yet to come
    ‘Cause once voters vet him
    They”ll surely regret him
    No more hot, frothy, surging Santorum!
    __________________________
    Charles Ulysses Feney

  • Pablo

    Uh, no. Paul is currently 4th in delegates. Which is last. http://tinyurl.com/6rlsjup

    Current delegate count:**
    Mitt Romney: 123
    Rick Santorum:72
    Newt Gingrich:32
    Ron Paul: 19
    Jon Huntsman: 2

    WE! ARE! THE PEOPLE WHO CAN’T COUNT!

  • Pablo

    No, Paul does not beat Obama.

    http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/president/us/general_election_paul_vs_obama-1750.html#polls

    I have to tell you though, the 404 errors in each of your 4 links almost convinced me of the validity of your argument.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ketan-Pattani/100000305045290 Ketan Pattani

    Yes you can’t count, because delegates are not representation of votes.  What you are showing is media projection of delegates based on votes.   It also goes to show how little you know about the election process.  Here is a Rachel Maddow video explaining what no other media outlet will explain.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9x28_I9oIVg 

  • Anonymous

    That is not Soledad’s job to grill Democrats; she is one of Obama’s Lieutenants of his Truth Team, don’t you think she is doing a good job protecting her Precious?…

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ketan-Pattani/100000305045290 Ketan Pattani
  • Pablo

    Marist, Arizona: All GOP beat Obama. Romney (45%) and Santorum (45%) beat him by more than Paul (43%)

    DMR, Iowa: Doesn’t give us Paul’s number but shows Santorum beating Obama 48-44, and Romney beating him 46-44.

    Richmond TD, Virginia: Poll shows Paul and Obama tied at 43% while Romney and Santorum both beat Obama by 3 and 4 points respectively.

    Fox, Ohio: Both Romney (+6) and Santorum (+3) do better against Obama than Paul (+1).

    Clue: Narrow poll margins in 4 states does not equal a general election victory.

    This is very important for you to review:
    http://tinyurl.com/29cj9vq

  • Anonymous

    I think the big problem with his “take one for the team” comment is that he tries to portray himself as a staunch conservative that will always fight for conservative beliefs, and now it becomes apparent that when push comes to shove, he is really no different from most people in congress & will gladly make deals, compromise his views, just to get in the good graces of his party. Really no different from Romney, except far more assertive with his religious beliefs.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ketan-Pattani/100000305045290 Ketan Pattani
  • Anonymous

    Dare to dream, dare to dream.

  • Anonymous

    I have asked this on another thread and received no answer:
     Just what are the ideas the Republican/Tea Party have put forth besides
    hating homosexuals and women? What wonderful plans do they have to help
    continue to dig Americans out of the horrible mess the last Eight years
    of Bush/Cheney left us?

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ketan-Pattani/100000305045290 Ketan Pattani

    And by the way.  This accomplishment despite the enormously negative media coverage of Ron Paul.  The people are waking up!  If you haven’t seen it spend 15 min of your time and watch this video.  You may change your mind
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=vF3K2JvFcJA 

  • Anonymous

    Soledad Sista O’Brien is Way, WAY to big for her britches.

     She is Cocky, Sassy, Disrespectful  and Smart-Mouthed to the Extreme.

     She needs to be Slapped Down and Humiliated On The Air.

      Of Course,  DAT WOOD BEE RAAAAAAAAAAACISS  !!

  • http://www.facebook.com/markgjudge Mark Judge

    Soledad, you’re not a hard ass. Stop trying.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_A74EJCCN62MXTMGTRP6KE4RCWM plls

    It’s funny (sad?) how anyone who questions a Repub is “part of Obama’s team”.  These people must look out their windows at night before turning in to see if there are black helicopters in whisper mode hovering over their residence, while teams of mercenaries are rappelling down ropes onto their roof.

  • Anonymous

     BWAAAAAAAAAAAAA  HAAA  HAAA  HAAAAAAAAAAAAW   !!!

     YEAH !  plls.  Dats A Riot.

  • Anonymous

     Stop the whining you teabggin’ losers. 

  • Pablo
  • Pablo
  • Anonymous

    give this woman credit–it is an impossible task justifying the positions of mr. shouldbeinasanitoriumdarkagesclusterschmuck!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ketan-Pattani/100000305045290 Ketan Pattani

    @PabIo:disqus : Have you looked at your own comments?  Obtuse.  You like to argue for the sake of argument.  The Realclearpolitics is Iowa GOP caucus result not Paul vs Obama.

  • Anonymous

    Finally, a she asks a worthy question. Santorums answer is indicative of the idiocy we see from both sides of the good-ol’ boy corrupt government that is Washington. That is the kind of answer that makes you want to go up and kick him squarely in the ass and tell him, his only allegiance is to the “we the people” and if that jerk, or any other political jerk doesn’t understand that, they don’t need to be in politics. It is never, what is good for the Party, it is only what is good for the legal American citizens….PERIOD!

  • Anonymous

    they cannot answer this question because they will not dig us out of the economic mess we are in. Not until they have squeezed as much money out of us and into their corporation masters and accounts off-shore.

  • Pablo

    Paul vs. Obama is never going to be a ballot choice. If you want to look at Paul in Iowa, you have to look at his electoral performance in Iowa. It was not good.

  • WiddleBabyDanielson

     Kinda like calling her sista?

  • Anonymous

    This is really kind of a dumb and worthless video to post, considering all else that is happening in this world. I notice this site seems obligated to post 1 Soledad O’Brien video a day no matter how stupid. Does someone in your editorial department have a crush on this ignorant commentator or what?

  • WiddleBabyDanielson
  • Anonymous

     Google Soledad Brotha

  • http://punditpawn.wordpress.com PunditPawn

    SoulDaddy?  What kind of name is that?

  • Anonymous

     Google Soledad Brotha

  • http://www.facebook.com/tonykoch1 Tony Koch

    Soledad sure is showing her bias lately bust be getting worried

  • Anonymous

    Taking one for the team is great in sports in HS, college and professional sports – but Congress???

    This is one place where you work at the will of the people – not the “team” that you work (play) with.

  • shonangreg

    They want to cut taxes, cut spending, and cut government.

    Of course, some of them also want to keep the government out of their medicare and inject their religion into society via the federal government.

  • Pablo
  • http://twitter.com/Darr247 Darr Darr

    Caucuses haven’t actually assigned their delgates yet, so – as usual – you’re wrong.  Oh, but don’t let facts get in the way…  swallow; clear your throat; come right on out with your next lie.

  • http://gamewhen.com/ Michael T

     I agree with you.

    But don’t the F&F “curvy couch” crew do much the same?

    The producers of both shows seem to have decided to make no attempt to appear fair and balanced.

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