Overheard on CNN.com: Can public, private life coexist? Santorum suspends campaign
Rick Santorum had been Mitt Romney's closest rival but still had less than half of his delegate total.
April 10th, 2012
03:26 PM ET

Overheard on CNN.com: Can public, private life coexist? Santorum suspends campaign

Editor's note: This post is part of the Overheard on CNN.com series, a regular feature that examines interesting comments and thought-provoking conversations posted by the community.

Rick Santorum suspended his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination Tuesday. This gives Mitt Romney fewer obstacles toward becoming the GOP nominee. Readers talked about the Republican horse race and about the occasional conflict between family demands, as in the case of Santorum's daughter, and a highly public life.

Santorum to suspend campaign, sources say

This reader said they believe Santorum is making the right decision for his family.

Matt Dotseth: "One has to wonder why Santorum is running. Like Sarah Palin, he has a special needs child. This makes it quite challenging for him to ever be able to focus 100% on the campaign, and probably being president. I for one think he should stick to his family, and take care of his daughter, and that's not because I completely disagree with his politics. For a 'family values' guy, isn't a family value taking care of your sick child, and putting that child before your own wants and needs?"

Some were happy to shift the focus to Mitt Romney. Some were not.

starspangled: "Now we all can finally rally behind our candidate and future President of the United States of America, Mitt Romney. The focus can finally be placed on obama who is dismantling our economy and turning this nation into something unrecognizable."

AlanThinks: "What do you live on? Sure isn't the same I live. Obama dismantled the economy? The last I heard the Republicans deregulated everything, robbed the bank and we are still digging out from it."

One reader was concerned about the implications for health care in America.

Punctus: "Speaking on behalf of the 1.2 million children with neither health insurance nor access to adequate healthcare in Texas, I want to wish Santorum's daughter all the best. Too bad Rick doesn't believe all children should have access to health care."

Some were suspicious of Santorum.

bookgirl2945: "Wow, this guy likes to talk. What a blowhard. He should have left it at 'We are trying to be good parents.' At least that is a person can respect. Saying it's about the daughter for 15 seconds and then going on and on about politics makes him look like the fool he is."

But this reader wrote a comment saying they prefer Santorum to Romney.

doctorwood: "Dear Rick Santorum and Family, As A lifelong Democrat and as someone who voted for Barack Obama, I humbly want to say that I hope God Blesses the health of your precious daughter. I will consider voting for Rick Santorum, a man who worked his way out of poverty. I can not vote for Mitt Romney, born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Please Pennylvanians, vote for our former civil servant and Senator, Rick Santorum! God Bless America in these perilous times!"

Kimip: "You voted him out of office in Pennsylvania because you did not trust him, and you want folks to vote him in as president?"

This reader questioned whether any person running for public office can be good to their family.

jpl83061: "No man or woman with children younger than college age should run or be president. Children need their father and a man or woman's children should be their top priority when they are young. The job of being the president is kind of an out-of-body experience. What child should have a father/mother that so many people hate so passionately? What kind of life would it be growing up in a bubble always worried someone wanted to hurt/kill your mom or dad? If anyone feels passionately enough about trying to lead this country, do your family a favor and wait until the kids are grown."

What do you think? Is it possible to mingle family demands and a visible, public life? Share your opinion in the comments area below and in the latest stories on CNN.com. Or sound off on video via CNN iReport.

Compiled by the CNN.com moderation staff. Some comments edited for length or clarity.

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Filed under: Overheard on CNN.com • Politics • Rick Santorum
soundoff (50 Responses)
  1. Sally

    While I sort of agree with JPL83061, I think that the Obamas are doing a good job raising their children. Bringing in Michelle's mother to help out was a wonderful idea. And it does seem that Michelle is usually at home with her children, only taking short trips on occasion.

    As for starspangled – lovely show of respect for OUR president. You properly capitalize Mitt Romney's name, but call OUR president obama – No President Obama or even a capital O. The lack of respect shown towards OUR sitting president astounds me to no end.

    April 11, 2012 at 1:47 pm | Report abuse |
    • KKDenver

      Sally, the right is terrified. It is their signature characteristic. Fear makes you act poorly.

      April 11, 2012 at 2:14 pm | Report abuse |
    • Big George in Big D

      are you daft woman? Michelle loves taking the girls, and mamma, and her entourage of 22!!!, and the SS and the dog on as many taxpayer paid vacations she can and believe me, they aren't short vacations!

      April 11, 2012 at 2:28 pm | Report abuse |
    • Big George in Big D

      @KK Denver – the ONLY thing the right it terrified about is Obama winning a 2nd term! That is enough to terrify us all!

      April 11, 2012 at 2:29 pm | Report abuse |
    • anthony

      Listening to Democrats complain about disrespect direct towards the President astounds me.

      April 11, 2012 at 4:28 pm | Report abuse |
  2. Stopthemadness

    Big George in Big D,

    You are absolutely right we should be terrified because if a republican takes office we will be at war with Russia the Pakistani's will send mass suicide bombers, oh and our economy and EPA laws will go down the drain. So yeah everyone should be afraid over this election. Every time a republican takes office our countries honor and prestige crashes to the ground because of low moral values hypocritical statements and of course morons like you come out of the wood work.

    April 11, 2012 at 3:33 pm | Report abuse |
  3. toocy

    Presidents Carter, Clinton and G.W. Bush all raised children while in office and those kids seem fine, even thriving.

    April 11, 2012 at 8:10 pm | Report abuse |
  4. RUben L

    I agree that we should make Obamacare mandatory just like car insurance. Before you lynch me hear me out. I have been a huge opponent of the Obamacare ever since I heard of it. Then I started changing my mind when I heard people argue that healthcare should be like car insurance, mandatory. I agree, and I also agree that it should be run exactly like a car insurance. For example, bad drivers get penalized by paying a higher premium if you are a reckless driver (speeding, accidents, etc...). This system should apply to healthcare as well. If you are reckless with your health you should be obligated to pay a higher premium than those who chose to live a healthy live. If you smoke too much, eat unhealthy, are obese, or get into an accident for being stu-pd, that’s your own fault and I shouldn’t the same premium. With car insurance if you are in a certain age bracket you pay more because you are higher risk of getting into an accident, this to should be implemented into the Obamacare. If you want to be covered for more you have the right to do so you can increase your liability limits but pay a higher premium for it just like a car. For those people that argue that the Obamacare should be like car insurance for once I agree with you.

    For those who argue that the Canadians have been enjoying free healthcare for many years. I call B.S. Nothing in life is free someone is paying for it. It may not be you the lowlife who just wants to coast thru life, but I assure you somebody is fronting that money. When Canadians pay close to 40% in taxes you tell me that you are getting something for free? Pffftt.. I took college math and 40% of your money does not equate to free. Also remember Canadians have nowhere near the amount of programs that we already fund, their military is weak and we are pretty much the first line of defense. Before you argue that maybe we should reduce the funding to our military consider the risks in doing so! Do we tax at a higher rate? I think not, I know I can manage my money a heck of a lot better than our government as they have proven me time after time that they cannot be trusted with our funds. Just look at the Post Office, and Social Security. What a mess.

    April 12, 2012 at 12:34 am | Report abuse |
  5. Jumpinjezebel

    The Post Office doesn't take any funds for its operation. If those in Congress that mandated it prepay for retirement benefits 75 years in advance would lift this unique requirement only to the Postal Service they would be fine. Also Social Security is fine and doesn't require any budgetary funds to continue paying 100% till 2035 and then after that (if no changes) are made it can pay 80%. Raise the cap by $10,000 and it will be fine till hell freezes over. Do you know how much interest the fund is earning a year?? Thought so.

    April 15, 2012 at 1:22 am | Report abuse |
  6. Ngovicaus

    Good morning

    February 24, 2014 at 5:42 pm | Report abuse |
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