Santorum urges Romney to weaponize same sex marriage issue

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
5/14/2012
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

Calls Obama's defense of gay marriage 'a very important weapon' for Romney campaign

Former GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum is urging Republican candidate Mitt Romney to "step up" and "weaponize" the issue of same-sex marriage. "This is a very potent weapon, if you will, for Governor Romney if he's willing to step up and take advantage of a president who is very much out of touch with the values of America," Santorum said in a live interview with Arkansas TV station KARK, a CNN affiliate.

Former GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum is urging Republican candidate Mitt Romney to 'step up' and 'weaponize' the issue of same-sex marriage. 'This is a very potent weapon, if you will, for Governor Romney if he's willing to step up and take advantage of a president who is very much out of touch with the values of America.'

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LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Santorum made the remarks before appearing at the Benton County Republican Lincoln Day Dinner in the northwest corner of the state last week. Santorum's comments also came on the eve before Romney's speech before the Christian conservative Liberty University in Virginia.

Romney's former opponent noted the recent results of a ballot issue in North Carolina where voters approved a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.

"Hopefully Governor Romney will continue to stand tall for his position on this issue and understand how detrimental it would be for society for it to have this changed," Santorum told TV journalists.

"Governor Romney has to talk about his values," he added. "That's the most important thing."

President Obama stated his support for same-sex marriage in reversal of his stance on the sensitive issue last week. Obama becomes the first President to support it, in no uncertain terms. Obama said, "At a certain point, I've just concluded, that for me, personally, it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same-sex couples should be able to get married."

Following the president's comments, Romney seemed hesitant to take on what he called a "tender" subject, though he did reiterate his view that marriage should be between a man and a woman.

Santorum's indicate the former Pennsylvania senator is not fully on board Romney's team. After a bitter and ugly primary season battle, Santorum endorsed Romney in a lengthy email to his supporters.

However, Santorum did not actually state his endorsement until the tail end of the message.

When asked whether he would be interested in running as Romney's running mate, he replied "It's one thing you don't campaign for - at least I'm not campaigning for," Santorum said.

� 2012, Catholic Online. Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM.

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Keywords: Rick Santorum, gay marriage, Mitt Romney, President Obama

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1 - 7 of 7 Comments

Robert Burford
1 year ago
The pen is mightier than the sword. Words are weapons and the president has used them well, but his words also convict him. Mr Santorum is correct. The presidents own words and deeds will convict him and the only moral vote would be to stand up for the values that Mr Santorum supports and those are life and Holy Matrimony.God's values come first and the sooner this nation realizes it the better off we will be when it comes to the economy and the other issues of the world.
Reverend Mother Sister Jacqueline Corcoran
1 year ago
Each of us have to stand up for what is right in the Eyes of God. People are going to do what they want, but, we as One Nation Under God, have to do what is right. No body will force a point of view, it's a free choice of which way each person is going to go.
Robroberts
1 year ago
Given shifting public attitudes and trends, Romney would be well advised to approach this issue with some restraint and deliberation.

Santorum wants Romney to "weaponize" this issue -- whatever that means. I assume it is to approach this issue in the most divisive, abrasive and aggressive way possible; this sounds like more scorched earth politics, the kind that has led our country to the place it is today where both parties can't get anything done.

There is an upside for Romney with the issue of same sex marriage, especially amongst the evangelicals who are loath to support him on many issues and are wary of his Mormonism. But these evangelicals are a tiny minority and insignificant compared to the vast middle to whom Romney mist appeal if he wants to win.
Peter
1 year ago
Rick Santorum's principles come first.

Santorum is a good sport, he was exceptional on the Jay Leno show where he cautiously defended his endorsement of Romney, despite some surprising jabs from the once thought to be conservative talk show host.

Rick is a team player, and will support Romney, albeit, trying to keep the issues near to his heart and soul at the forefront.

I find the number of people unafraid to stand up for values to be increasing, and feel Santorum's campain and success has galvanized and increased this movement.
abey
1 year ago
Where Obama's decision "Evolved" from the council of his wife & kids to gay union, to plain politics on one hand involving children but on the hidden hand involving "dark sentences" to paganism, Santorum's council come from the Faith, choosing one is the test for Romney,
Thorgood
1 year ago
There are a variety of reasons to discriminate against homosexuality. Medical reasons such as gay bowel disease and depression, increased health care related costs, offending straight people who abhor homosexual advances, it's biologically dysfunctional, it ignores the reality that life is sexually transmitted, it severs a family lineage, it promotes the disintegration of biological families, exposes impressionable children to a lifestyle parents disagree with, it creates a shortened life span, and most importantly to some of us, the Bible says it's wrong. And while these values can't be forced on others, they should at least examine the evidence.

Obama is just pandering to the left. At a 2008 campaign event at Saddleback Church, Obama said, “I believe that marriage is the union between a man and a woman. For me as a Christian, it’s also a sacred union. God’s in the mix.”
mike
1 year ago
i find it interesting he used the term "weaponize." Weapons are used with the sole purpose to harm and to kill. Marriage is a symbol of the love and eternal union between two people. so I ask, which seems the more Christian approach? Weapons or love? WWJD? (Love your neighbor as you love yourself...)

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