Is Mitt Romney A Candidate For A Google Bomb?

I'm Surprised The Bullying Issue Hasn't Resulted In A "Google Bomb" yet.

The key word there is "yet." I imagine in the next month, somebody will link Mitt Romney with some long tail keyword about "bullying." They will set of links, e-mail that baby, and watch it fly! Then others will add it to things and the name Romney will transform into a 1st page Google phenomenon.

It would be so poetic if the kid he bullied was the computer geek genius that concocted the Google hoax. Spank you Mitt! Payback can sting a little...in a perfect world of course.

Roughly 6 months ago, Jon Stewart was rambling about politics, and I thought I heard him say,"Go ahead, Google 'Rick Santorum' I'll wait." Then after a five second pause he said,"Yes disgusting I know but that's what it means apparently.

I had never heard of Rick Santorum, but I didn't Google him...

Until I heard Colbert joking about Santorum a week later. Googling was also mentioned. I had to see what this inside jokers from Comedy Central were so giddy about. Well, I'm not just going to tell you. I won't tell you my thoughts on it either. Just Google "Santorum" and this Hub will make sense to you...

*(Disclaimer- I do not like politics. I don't personally know any politicians, so I cannot say I dislike them. I dislike the idea of two parties that unequivocally disagree with anything the oppostion says; based on a "D" or a "R", and not the content of the speech, or the character of the speaker. This Hub, and it's author are politically unbiased. Thank you.) **

US Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum made a surprise leap ahead to practically tie(he lost by 8 votes) Mitt Romney in yesterday’s Iowa caucus results. His unlikely rise in the last week of the Iowa Caucasus, will certain bring a torrent of publicity his way. Uninformed voters will scramble to find out everything they can about the Senator. Nationwide notoriety. Something that had eluded Santorum, until now. Be careful what you wish for Rick...

Rick Santorum was the unfortunate victim of a Google Bomb. "Google bombs" are collective efforts to link to a site by a key phrase then artificially elevate a Web site in the Google search results for that search phrase. Google bombs rely on 1st page or even top pagerank for maximum effectiveness. Some Google bombs are politically motivated, most are done as pranks, other motivators are ego or self promotion.

Here is a recent GOOGLE BOMB by me. Harmless stuff kids...

If you aren't familiar with Santorum’s "Google situation", back in 2003, the former US Senator angered people in the lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgender community, with several anti-homosexual comments during an interview with the Associated Press. Basically, Santorum made some asinine comments in defense of laws banning gay sex. It turned out, nobody was more pissed off than gay columnist Dan Savage. So pissed off, he sought retaliation. This is when Savage's Google bomb was conceived.

Savage’s response was to follow a reader’s suggestion, that he hold a contest to define “santorum.” The definition had to relate to some type of sex act. The winning definition was picked in June 2003: The invented definition was shockingly grim...And you will learn it soon enough. Be warned...

Readers of Savage's column, "Savage Love," have spent years clicking on the

site to move it to the top of Google's results for a search of Santorum's name.

John Stewart was the first mainstream comedian to bring this prank to the fore front. He was subtle. Simply saying things like, "Go ahead, Google "Santorum" I'll wait." 15 seconds later, he's looking in the camera and giggling like a school boy. Not actually saying the words, but knowing you just read something horrifying; and he got you in on the "inside joke." And you are wordlessly sharing the laugh miles away.

It reminded me of the ESPN anchors would could have cared less about NASCAR results in the mid-90's. There was a mediocre driver named, "Dick Trickle." They would take every opportunity fit his name in the script, then try not to crack up. Like,"Dick Trickle didn't let a little moisture bother him. He finished a respectable 4th, after several extra pit stops." That was good fun. This is obsessive revenge.

When you Google "Santorum," The first result Google brings up in a search on Santorum’s last name is a link to spreadingsantorum.com, which takes readers to a page with the following definition:

"Santorum 1. The frothy mix of lube and fecal matter that is sometimes the byproduct of anal sex. 2. Senator Rick Santorum."

Santorum was Google bombed by the gay left wing. They got him good. Senator Santorum has inncorrectly blamed Google for the prank, and has repeatedly asked Google to remove that Website. Google correctly didn't budge. Take off one website for a politician and all your renagade credibility goes out the window. Next thing you know is you are the default search engine for Ernest Angely and The PTL Club.

Whatever your thoughts are on this matter; and whether you vote for the conservative upstart Santorum, Or Barry Obama; free speech wins in the end eventually. This unique battle is a little too messy for my liking. Once again, it proves you can never be too careful with your words. You don't know who's listening, or what that listener will take from them. And you never know just how far they'll go, to make you eat those words.

Disclaimer : I am just trying to objectivly report a story, that is somewhat delicate in nature. If this Hub offended you, I feel badly. Not guilty, cause I'm just slingin' the fact's mam. Just the facts...

I am writing and addendum to this Hub, before I check it for adult content.God forbid a swear word, or implied swear word slipped through I published a Hub, it was fine, no warnings. 2 hours later the ratings board at Hubpages took it down for adult content. Which means somebody flagged it for being naughty. I guess the culturally accepted, and not offensive "hand bra" photo willingly posted by an adult is "suggestively lewd." My bad. I guess when I see a Hub that has a Lady Gaga video in it; where she literally throws her vagina at the camera while moaning...Well, can you blame me for being a tad confused?

I think adultery is extremely "lewd,"not to mention cruel and heartless, but I am not going to find every Hub that portrays Newt Gingrich positively, and flag it because it makes me feel uncomfortable? Am I going to do that? Of course not!

I am not an obtuse crybaby, that has to police public forums that are allegdly here so adults can freely express opinions legally. Unless this Hubpages thing is some kind of buisness, where the main objective is to make an obcene amount of money from it's contributors efforts? Nah, now I'm being unreasonable!

I am considerably more intelligent than "John Doe Flagger," in the sense that I can handle myself. I don't feel the need to report others actions to a higher authority. Grow up people.You were called "tattle-tale" as a child right?

Comment as you please. Vote stuff down. I don't care, that's your right and you SHOULD exercise it. But flat out censorship is sickening, and I shant be writing Hubs here for awhile. My blog "From The Nape Up" may only have 1,500 views, but there is no armed guard to cry to.

Perhaps I will get banned for this diatribe. How will I live minus the $1 a week I have earned here? I would say get a life, but I wouldn't mean it. What I would say to ANY flagger of reasonable material..it would get my mouth washed out with soap and paddled like they did when I was 8 and in GRADE School. Sorry to keep you from your "Dried Flower Tips" or "Throwing A Church Pot Luck On A Budget."

To quote an Irish singer (Bono) who RESPECTS OUR 1st Amendment right to free speech, "Am I buggin' you? Sorry if I'm buggin' you!" Next time send me an e-mail with your address. I will send you a passifier and a box of Kleenex crybaby!

Back to the main point...

It appears Rick Santorum has overcome his "Google Bomb" and has shot to the top of the GOP Presidential race.

Why this became such a long running joke is kind of weird. It's maybe funny once, twice if you are a fan of sexual potty humor. I feel bad for the guy's wife and kids. He's a politician, he knew there would be things like this thrown his way. It creates a slippery and ASSine problem for his whole family however.