Politics

Sununu: Santorum ‘completely disqualified’ for presidency

Alexis Levinson Political Reporter
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Rick Santorum’s outbursts over the past couple of weeks have “completely disqualified” him for the presidency, Romney surrogate and former New Hampshire Gov. John Sununu said during a Monday conference call with reporters.

“Yesterday, and certainly the last couple of weeks, has emphasized the fact that Senator Santorum has lost his personal discipline and self control … lashing out at the press and lashing out at his opponents,” said Sununu.

The former Pennsylvania senator told New York Times reporter Jeff Zeleny on Sunday that a question he had asked was “bullshit.”

Sununu, who served as President George H. W. Bush’s chief of staff, said that “one of the most important things you need in a president is self control and discipline. It’s a one thing to lose your temper at a New York Times reporter,” he said, but said that it’s another when you have to deal with world leaders on the international stage.

“You need to be able to handle your messaging,” he said.

“I certainly feel that Governor Romney’s presentation and demeanor are quite presidential,” Sununu said. He described Santorum as “out there thrashing about” and “running on ego and emotion.”

“He has a tendency to speak before he thinks,” Sununu said, noting past comments from Santorum about states being able to ban birth control.  (SEE ALSO: Santorum: Romney ‘worst Republican’ to face Obama)

“What he’s doing with his emotional outbursts is just giving President Obama sound bites,” Sununu said.

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