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Santorum on controversial remark: I was 'tongue-tied'
45 days ago

Santorum on controversial remark: I was 'tongue-tied'

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(CNN) - Rick Santorum said Wednesday he was “tongue-tied” this weekend and didn’t actually say a word that has sparked a firestorm among some in the African-American community.

Talking about welfare programs at an Iowa campaign stop on Sunday, the Republican presidential candidate was quoted as saying, “I don’t want to make black people’s lives better by giving them someone’s money. I want to give them the opportunity to go out and earn the money.”

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The word “black” has become the focal point of controversy, but Santorum said Wednesday on CNN’s “John King, U.S.A.” that he didn’t recall using that particular word.

“It was probably a tongue-tied moment as opposed to something that was deliberate,” Santorum said, adding that he has watched the video several times and still can’t clearly hear the word.

The NAACP responded to his statement from Sunday, blasting the former Pennsylvania senator for “singling out” African-Americans as poor.

"Sen. Santorum's targeting of African-Americans is inaccurate and outrageous, and lifts up old race-based stereotypes about public assistance," said the group’s president, Benjamin Todd Jealous, in a statement. "He conflates welfare recipients with African-Americans, though federal benefits are in fact determined by income level.”

Jealous said that in Iowa, for example, a strong majority of welfare recipients are white.

But one day after Santorum placed a surprising second to Mitt Romney in the Iowa caucuses, losing by only eight votes, Santorum said the pronouncement of the word was a result of unintentional stammering that simply sounded like the word “black.”

“In fact, I’m pretty confident I didn't say ‘black.’ I started to say a word and sort of mumbled it and changed my thought. I don't recall saying black. No one in that audience heard me say that,” he said.

A review of the video shows Santorum pausing before saying the word, which sounds like "black" but could also be stumbled speech. Watch and decide for yourself here.

Santorum went on to defend his record working with African-Americans.

“There's no one that's worked more - when I was a senator from Pennsylvania - in the urban communities. Black, Hispanics, as well as whites,” Santorum said. “No one worked more with African-Americans.”

He pointed to his efforts setting up programs that pair historically black colleges with federal education funding. He also said he was involved in bringing a billion dollars in private sector growth to Chester, Pennsylvania, which has a large African-American population.

“I will match my record against any Democrat or Republican in working with African-American communities,” he said.

Also see:

Paul: Gingrich a 'chickenhawk'

Iowa outcome: What it means for the president

McCain backs former foe Romney over Senate colleague Santorum

Army soldier rallying for Paul violated military ban on political activity

Romney NH ad alleges Obama broke promises


Filed under: 2012 • Iowa • NAACP • Rick Santorum • TV-John King U.S.A.
soundoff (582 Responses)
  1. krissmith777

    Yeah, yeah, Rick, that's what they all say.

    January 4, 2012 10:39 pm at 10:39 pm |
  2. jay in denver

    “In fact, I’m pretty confident I didn't say ‘black.’ I started to say a word and sort of mumbled it and changed my thought. I don't recall saying black. No one in that audience heard me say that,” he said.

    Except for tthe obvious fact that he said, "black,"

    January 4, 2012 10:40 pm at 10:40 pm |
  3. politics as usual

    It sure sounded like "black" to me, and if it wasn't, then what did he MEAN to say?

    January 4, 2012 10:41 pm at 10:41 pm |
  4. don in albuquerque

    Tongue tied? What a maroon. I suppose he was tongue tied when he started his bomb Iran talk. "Yeah! Thats what Jebus wants us to do. So we can start World War lll and kill millions. But save those zygotes, cause I just luv em. And then we can turn this country into a secular nation just like Iran. That is the TICKET! Restart the Inquisition (sp), and maybe a holy civil war to get rid of all them agnostics, and anybody else who don't agree with me." Total waste of food.

    January 4, 2012 10:43 pm at 10:43 pm |
  5. Nancy

    Why is being politically correct so important nowadays? He called it like he saw it.

    January 4, 2012 10:45 pm at 10:45 pm |
  6. Tisha

    I watched it and it's pretty clear to me that he said 'black' people

    January 4, 2012 10:51 pm at 10:51 pm |
  7. stars

    I heard it, he said black dude you r a coward and a lair and a phony. and u no christan wake up ppl this guy is more dangerous than satan himself. something is wrong when a man bring home a child that has pasted on scary!

    January 4, 2012 10:55 pm at 10:55 pm |
  8. Debbie

    I listened three times and I'm pretty confident he says "black people." I would also say that the talk was a stump type speech in a cozy setting and those are practiced over and over and over. Santorum maybe did not intend to say black people but that is what came out. The question is what it a Freudian slip?

    January 4, 2012 10:57 pm at 10:57 pm |
  9. anagram_kid

    When one finds oneself in a hole, stop digging.

    January 4, 2012 10:57 pm at 10:57 pm |
  10. GonzoinHouston

    The only way a politician tells the truth in public is by accident. Santorum just revealed a bit of his true self. Ooops!

    January 4, 2012 10:59 pm at 10:59 pm |
  11. Yesorno

    He stumble. He stumble the word 'black'.

    January 4, 2012 11:00 pm at 11:00 pm |
  12. wryng

    "In fact, I’m pretty confident I didn't say ‘black.’ I started to say a word and sort of mumbled it and changed my thought. I don't recall saying black. No one in that audience heard me say that,” Started to say what word? Black?A word...give me a break.

    January 4, 2012 11:03 pm at 11:03 pm |
  13. DENNA

    Talking about welfare programs at an Iowa campaign stop on Sunday, the Republican presidential candidate was quoted as saying, “I don’t want to make black people’s lives better by giving them someone’s money. I want to give them the opportunity to go out and earn the money.”
    -------------------------------------------------
    OMG! Are you stuck on stupid? Why don't you give "them" good paying jobs? In fact, why don't you give all jobless Americans a chance to get good paying job. Black people are not the only ones suffering. Slip of the tongue indeed.

    January 4, 2012 11:04 pm at 11:04 pm |
  14. Tyler Durden

    That reminds me of a time when I stumbled over my thoughts and speech and accidently said what I thought about my girlfriend instead of what I thought she wanted me to say. She broke up with me.

    "I can't... I can't. Opps."

    January 4, 2012 11:05 pm at 11:05 pm |
  15. Phil

    Folks, I am all for skewering a politician for making racist or bigoted remarks. I am a Democrat and could care less who loses to Obama. But I have listened to and watched this clip several times, and Santorum had the same slip of the lip that happens to all of us. He absolutely doesn't say "black people's lives". He stumbled and started what sounds like "lives", then caught himself, backed up and corrected himself. For any of us looking for something to slam Santorum for, there are crystal-clear policy positions galore that make this guy unelectable. Give him a break and wait until the next time he really does say something stupid. It won't take long.

    January 4, 2012 11:08 pm at 11:08 pm |
  16. vc

    Since he is claiming to be a Christian, he needs to come clean on what he acutally said. OWN IT AND FIX IT!! Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. Whatever is in your heart, good or bad, it will be revealed. I FEEL LIKE IT WAS!!

    January 4, 2012 11:11 pm at 11:11 pm |
  17. Kevin Loker

    It still sounds like "blank people's lives" to me.

    January 4, 2012 11:11 pm at 11:11 pm |
  18. DP

    He clearly is not saying "Black" people, it isn't even close. It sounds like he says "A lot" instead. And I am a Ron Paul supporter but this is just ridiculous.

    January 4, 2012 11:13 pm at 11:13 pm |
  19. Chris J

    Maybe for mentioning blacks specifically ok... But people are black. People are white... Get over it. No one calls me a caucasian american.

    January 4, 2012 11:17 pm at 11:17 pm |
  20. Woman In California

    This is typical behavior for the republican party at least THEY think so. Since racial slurs are being bought to the surface why is it no one has mentioned Romney referring to blacks as "dogs". You figure.

    January 4, 2012 11:19 pm at 11:19 pm |
  21. Jason

    I heard black. That room full of people did too because they sure applauded for it.

    January 4, 2012 11:20 pm at 11:20 pm |
  22. Josh

    He definitely didn't say black. It sounds like he was going to say Lives and stumbled into People's. Not sure where the "black" came from as there is not "B" sound in his speech. (Obama supporter)

    January 4, 2012 11:21 pm at 11:21 pm |
  23. marty rogers

    that's funny. he did say black people.....oops

    January 4, 2012 11:23 pm at 11:23 pm |
  24. J.V.Hodgson

    Coming up with some convoluted excuse was not the way to go.
    He should say it was not my intention to say black and if the use of that word is what people think I said and meant I apologise.
    Please review my record of work in the African American communities I served in.
    Even if only 50 % of viewers of the speech thought he uttered black, stumbling or tongue tied don't work as an excuse.
    Regards,
    Hodgson.

    January 4, 2012 11:23 pm at 11:23 pm |
  25. Ken

    Was it insensitivity or, more simply, a question of pure stupidity??? And this man wants to be POTUS????

    January 4, 2012 11:24 pm at 11:24 pm |
  26. Donkey Party

    Typical filthy, lying, racist right-winger. They never take responsibility for their words or actions, NEVER! Where is their "personal responsibility" that they're always preaching about? All right-wingers are cancers to society, and should be regarded as the worthless sub-humans they are.

    January 4, 2012 11:25 pm at 11:25 pm |
  27. Jason

    He obviously said, "...make (lives) people's lives better..."

    January 4, 2012 11:26 pm at 11:26 pm |
  28. TheRevolution

    Sounded like he was about to say black and then thought better of it. Either that or "blah."

    January 4, 2012 11:33 pm at 11:33 pm |
  29. Dalfrom CA

    I heard the Black people he did not want to say it but did it anyway.
    What a moron.

    January 4, 2012 11:36 pm at 11:36 pm |
  30. O

    Ladies and gentleman, the real Rick Santorum.

    Ron Paul 2012

    January 4, 2012 11:38 pm at 11:38 pm |
  31. TheAmericanPeople

    Sounded like "black" to me. I think his stream of consciousness (or bigoted republican ignorance) meant and said "black". Because there were (and rarely are) people of color in his repugnant audiences, his political correctness was on recess with the rest of his congressional buddies.

    January 4, 2012 11:40 pm at 11:40 pm |
  32. enuff

    Taking a page from Ron Paul's book. He didn't approve the newsletter, even though it has his name on, and came from his organization, etc.

    January 4, 2012 11:41 pm at 11:41 pm |
  33. izy

    typical republican, bias, racist and liers, he meant what he said...just like the rest of them repubs

    January 5, 2012 12:19 am at 12:19 am |
  34. Scott

    I disagree with Santorum on just about every possible political view, but after watching the video, it sounds more like jumbled speech than anything else. Oh, well, it's still early. I'm sure he'll make a legitimate, outrageous comment soon enough.

    January 5, 2012 12:33 am at 12:33 am |
  35. T'sah From Virginia

    ►“I don’t want to make black people’s lives better by giving them someone’s money. I want to give them the opportunity to go out and earn the money.”◄

    Wow, Santorum believes that just BLACK PEOPLE are on welfare???
    Hmm, maybe that is what Ann CULTer meant when she stated without fear
    "Our Blacks are better than Their Blacks” and they don’t need any handouts
    This is what ALL of the candidates from the RIGHT are now all about?

    You have ginGRINCH wanting to put "poor" Black children in ghettos to work;
    Paul stating Blacks will “stop rioting” in LA once their welfare checks are dispersed;
    PerryWinkle with his N-Word Stone he proudly visits to practice “shooting animals;"
    And CAIN – "Black as Black can get" trying hard NOT to be Black – damn that’s criminal;

    Romney having illegal Mexicans manicuring and cutting his grass outside…
    and most likely that was the closest he ever had "people of color” by his side;
    Bachmann stating our forefathers fought hard to end all slavery and she’s knows better than that;
    Now Santorum with his shiny forehead and 1 missing chromosome looking-self stating the above about Blacks!!!

    You see – this is when it’s going to get NASTIER!!!!

    Obama 2012 – The ONLY answer America!!!

    RIGHT Blacks are not on welfare?

    January 5, 2012 12:37 am at 12:37 am |
  36. Linda King

    Santorum is playing to the choir of white Evangelist using the word "black." He subliminally alludes to the belief that only black people are on welfare and they are on it because they don't want to work. He further implies that Obama "the black guy" is only interested in keeping black people on welfare. Santorum suggests that black people are shamelessly taking money from hard working white people and it must stop. His well chosen words made him number 2 in the Iowa campaign. However, his irresponsible and racist remarks are being scrutinized and he now explains that he OOPS, like Perry and really said "blah" instead of "black". Why some of his best friends are black.: he knows black people. What a moron.

    January 5, 2012 12:41 am at 12:41 am |
  37. joe

    yep, he said black!

    January 5, 2012 12:43 am at 12:43 am |
  38. joe

    Don't think there is any black people in Iowa.

    January 5, 2012 12:44 am at 12:44 am |
  39. ct

    typical republican response, what did u expect from this bunch

    January 5, 2012 12:51 am at 12:51 am |
  40. T'sah From Virginia

    Listening to the tape – his lips said Blaa" – trying to cover it up made it worst!! I actually heard this live and my mouth dropped but I dismissed it because no one brought it up. So maybe my first impression was correct!

    Obama 2012

    January 5, 2012 12:53 am at 12:53 am |
  41. find out before you speak

    I was sure hoping to catch him saying "black," but I am pretty sure what he did was say "lives...people's lives."

    January 5, 2012 01:06 am at 1:06 am |
  42. IVOTE

    He clearly said the word black. To alienate a race of people who work as hard or as any other American citizen is disgusting and reinforces what many already believe; "Racism is alive and well in the USA.

    January 5, 2012 01:23 am at 1:23 am |
  43. Lui

    He definitely said "black people." Not sure how well that's going to go over Rick.

    January 5, 2012 01:34 am at 1:34 am |
  44. Wade

    "No one in that audience heard me say that" I'm impressed that he asked everyone in the audience whether or not they heard the word "black". Guess he's as industrious as he is crazy.

    January 5, 2012 01:43 am at 1:43 am |
  45. OrangeW3dge

    Freudian slip, doesn't qualify as a Tongue-tie.
    There is no reason to believe that this mochi doesn't have a segregated mind.
    But the bigger issue still stands. If poor and disabled people are in a situation that they qualify for help, ignoring their inability to help themselves only precludes some un-tanned privileged-class kid making them work for the benefits.

    January 5, 2012 01:58 am at 1:58 am |
  46. OrangeW3dge

    He definitely said the work "black", but it is obvious that he knew he shouldn't as soon as he said it. Worse, however, is he now says that he is "confident" that no-one heard him...
    Good enough to qualify as an "Oops", and he best be aware that he will be watched very closly from now on out.

    January 5, 2012 02:04 am at 2:04 am |
  47. Just make it up

    Sounded to me that he did say "black" and he paused a second to decide if he should use the phrase.. and he did. I listened to his excuse, and listened to him say striaght faced that he didn't say "black people." He went on to assure us all that he has many african american friends.. and even took a busload of african american kids on a field trip because .."They don't get as much government help as others." Isn't he in the party who doesn't believe in giving federal aid to people????

    January 5, 2012 02:56 am at 2:56 am |
  48. Tisha

    He said it.

    January 5, 2012 03:31 am at 3:31 am |
  49. Ramesh Shrestha

    Let's play the audiotape and we will tell whether or not he used the word 'black'.

    January 5, 2012 03:34 am at 3:34 am |
  50. DNice

    Well I have seen the interview and heard him say "black people" and some in the crowd clapped bout 90%. Jus think what he says in private. The sad thing is I vote democrat and its things like this that make me one not want to be open minded to a republican point of view. And two affirms that I'm voting democrat across the board. Will admit its not going to be a walk in the park for PRESIDENT Obama but comments like that draws attention to how there party in a bad way. So thank you. And he wants to represent me as president I don't think so....
    OBAMA 2012.....

    January 5, 2012 04:31 am at 4:31 am |
  51. Rilla

    I know some black people give us a bad name but a lot of us did not have a chance at a young age mostly all white teachers in black communities that dont teach the black kids like they teach the white kids nobody got our back the police hate us seem like the republicans are for the rich only and Dont care about the average americans (white or black) and obama got to wait until his Next term to do something for us because he know it will cost him everything if white america thought he was trying to help black people the courts fry or throw away the key on us on every little charge they can muster up i love all my gods people(white or black)so i guess all i am saying we need the most help if i take a dog and beat him Dont teach him right work him from sun up to sun down Keep him hungry and dirty abuse his puppys in front him call him angry names and Then think i can let him free and expect his puppys to be like the rest of the community stop treating us like dogs god made us come to america so we can unite and be the best people on earth one more thing our kids need better cops ,and more after school programs these kids in there inner Cities got no where to turn but drugs and crime

    January 5, 2012 04:50 am at 4:50 am |
  52. Sunshine

    Disgusting!

    January 5, 2012 05:00 am at 5:00 am |
  53. wkndthg

    He clearly said "BLACK"..., no muffle of words.

    January 5, 2012 05:33 am at 5:33 am |
  54. NATHAN WIMBERLY

    When oil companies and farmers are welfare recipients, it's called a subsidy. Ricki Santorum won't talk about that. The majority of people who live on welfare and food stamps are white. He skipped that too. The dirty tricks GOBP will take him down ,like they swiftboated Herman Cain.

    January 5, 2012 06:00 am at 6:00 am |
  55. sick of republican phonies

    I listened. So what DID he say? "Blah People"? "Bluh people"? "Blecch people"? It surely wasn't "blank people" or "blind people". Maybe he was gonna say "blase' people"?

    January 5, 2012 06:09 am at 6:09 am |
  56. NameBcoles

    Facts; just because it has been brought up, the recent facts are that 38 percent of the population receiving government aid, ie; welfare are black, 39 percent are white, and 17 percent are Hispanic. These are stats compiled by a governmental Dept. That maintains all stats and are usually pretty accurate.

    January 5, 2012 06:14 am at 6:14 am |
  57. roland

    Seriously black leaders as i am black notice no cares. The assertion that black people are looking for government handouts is the real racist idea. Access to quality Education in America isn't a handout its a right as an American citizen. Most republicans can't get that right. I don't think African Americans as a whole have asked for anything more.

    January 5, 2012 06:20 am at 6:20 am |
  58. Marie MD

    Black people only? What about all the white people who are unemployed, the white middle class and the white working poor who are NOT black who are struggling right now?
    You just put foot in mouth. Just like all the rest of the flavor of the month clowns. NEXT!
    Oh right, there's nobody left. paul is NOT going to make it for all you paulinites.

    January 5, 2012 06:21 am at 6:21 am |
  59. anon-i-mouse

    It was pretty clear to me. I'm sure he didn't "mean" to say it, but with the stammer, he let out what was in his heart rather than what his political brain wanted to put out.

    January 5, 2012 06:22 am at 6:22 am |
  60. S.B. Stein E.B. NJ

    It doesn't if he said it or not, I think that he doesn't like the "welfare" programs and is looking for an excuse to end it. It would be nice if there wasn't a need to for programs like that because there were no poor. The unfortunate fact is that the government needs to do it because there are people in need. There aren't enough in terms of numbers and large enough in terms of scope of charities and social welfare organizations to take over from the government. That is what the Republicans have trouble understanding. If there were these organizations, then the federal government could step out of that role. I just don't see that happening because the wealthy don't fund them.

    January 5, 2012 07:26 am at 7:26 am |
  61. Cfrench

    He clearly said black but he's not man enough to own up to it. What's even more sad is how his constituants applauded his clearly racial comment. Republicans are a sad, angry, racist bunch.

    January 5, 2012 07:29 am at 7:29 am |
  62. HenryB

    Rick, I don't know what you said but I do know that you are handling this very poorly. The more you stumble around for an answer, the deeper the hole gets and the dumber you sound. Acknowledge something and move on. Stick to your points.

    January 5, 2012 07:32 am at 7:32 am |
  63. The Greedy Old PIgs have a lot angry racists in their deathcult

    The GOBP deathcult has been playing the race card ever since President Obama took office. Equating "black" with "lazy" and "welfare" and "undeserving" has been a standard tactic among the extreme right wing for years.

    January 5, 2012 07:36 am at 7:36 am |
  64. b9boater

    Of course he said 'black' – it's clear – how typically politico to pretend it was a tied tongue or whatever else – just admit what was in your head and move on, critical of yourself if you feel that's appropriate.

    January 5, 2012 07:45 am at 7:45 am |
  65. bassman

    We knew it would not take long for our media to call a Republican candidate a racist. Hey it worked in the 08 election. Sadly our media is as predictable as they are in love with Pres. Obama. They will stop at nothing to reelect Mr. Obama.

    January 5, 2012 07:48 am at 7:48 am |
  66. GOP is lost

    He is a republican so he thinks;
    All Black people are on welfare
    All Muslums are terrorist
    All Gay people are sinners

    January 5, 2012 07:53 am at 7:53 am |
  67. Frank

    Good grief! I see the Obama Re-Election machine is in high gear.
    (This "news story" is silly)

    January 5, 2012 07:58 am at 7:58 am |
  68. DC

    He was trying to say 'people's lives better' and clearly his mind was thinking about the upcoming word 'better' and 'lives' before 'people's' and caught himself after 'blive' came out of his mouth. The NAACP needs to do more careful consideration before knee-jerking to a comment, so in the future it will be viewed as an organization that carefully considers things before making knee-jerk comments.

    January 5, 2012 08:01 am at 8:01 am |
  69. Dominican mama 4 Obama

    I could see anyone tripping up in choosing a word, Black vs African American for example. But the sentiment, the gist of what you communicated was pretty clear in your mind, and what some found to be offensive.

    January 5, 2012 08:02 am at 8:02 am |
  70. Who Are These People?

    Rick Santorum must think that "tongue tied" is Latin for "I accidentally spoke what I really think."

    January 5, 2012 08:02 am at 8:02 am |
  71. Sadie Boyd

    This illustrates how separate the people governing are from the real people...this guy is a gymnasium full of slurs on blacks, women, gays and the working class. Get rid of this 1% fool!

    January 5, 2012 08:04 am at 8:04 am |
  72. dave

    Sounds like the head of the NAACP is Jealous

    January 5, 2012 08:25 am at 8:25 am |
  73. Name unsung

    We are still living in THESE TIMES in 2012??!!! REALLY!!!!!

    January 5, 2012 08:27 am at 8:27 am |
  74. SCAtheist

    Glad to see he's still in full lying mode.

    January 5, 2012 08:27 am at 8:27 am |
  75. Rudy NYC

    So has it taken several days to realize and offer excuses? Please note that the senator is offering excuses for how it sounds, not apologies. He may have honestly stumbled over a choice of words, catching himself in the act of saying "black" and it came out anyway.

    I think someone who offers an apology "if anyone was offended" is not really apologizing. Apologies are supposed to be unconditional. If you apology is sincere, then why would you have to qualify with an "if"?

    January 5, 2012 08:28 am at 8:28 am |
  76. Kenneth the VI of Minneapolis

    What was the question asked?...I will not make judgment until I hear the question that was asked, then it will tell me much about what deep embedded thoughts that Santorum have about Black folk.

    January 5, 2012 08:28 am at 8:28 am |
  77. Steve, New York City

    Santorum is truly one of the dumbest people on the far right – a true arch-conservative (if you're not exactly like him, then he thinks you're inferior).

    While perhaps he (intellectually) edges out Sarah Palin, if I at least had to pick someone who has a good heart and is generally benevolent, I would pick Sarah Palin over Santorum any day!

    January 5, 2012 08:34 am at 8:34 am |
  78. Andrew

    How can the state of Iowa support such a blatant homophone , racist, bigot like Santorum ?

    January 5, 2012 08:35 am at 8:35 am |
  79. Don

    "Tongue-tied", huh? Right. Santorum is walking that careful walk that the other GOP "contenders" are having difficulty with: He is expressing (ever so subtley – even apologizing for it like here) what the tee-party and racist elements of the GOP (possibly a larger sector than anyone knew) like to hear. It IS what they are thinking and GOP candidates have been playing these aging "conservatives" fears for years... all the way back to Reagan (his welfare queen fantasy)...and perhaps even back to Nixon's "southern stratgedy" to divide voters on race.

    January 5, 2012 08:36 am at 8:36 am |
  80. Two and the Door for House Republicans

    Ok I watch the vid and yeah he seemed to be “tongue-tied”, but you can bet your sweet 'A', he was thinking it!! LOL

    January 5, 2012 08:36 am at 8:36 am |
  81. Jake

    Ummmm the jury is still out on this one.

    January 5, 2012 08:37 am at 8:37 am |
  82. First

    So...he paused right before saying black....thought better of it....couldn't think of anything else so he mumbled it hoping to be able to spin it later if anyone caught it. Damn microphones and cameras. Can't anyone be openly racist while running for the white house anymore?

    January 5, 2012 08:37 am at 8:37 am |
  83. David Wells

    He said black.

    January 5, 2012 08:38 am at 8:38 am |
  84. runner305

    What is with all of this politically correct crap already? Mohammed Ali always used the word "black". He actually had a disdain of the phrase "African-American". If you want to say that Santorum was isolating blacks to be the only welfare recipients, that is one thing. But let's PLEASE stop this other nonsense, ok?!

    January 5, 2012 08:41 am at 8:41 am |
  85. Baby Boomer

    Okay, I watched the video. Is he crazy or does he think we are? It's so clear that he said "I don’t want to make BLACK people’s lives better by giving them someone’s money. I want to give them the opportunity to go out and earn the money.”

    News flash, you nut job, BLACK people have been working and earning their way for hundreds of years in this country. What's more, our ancestors worked and earn your ancestors way as slaves for far to many years. How dare you suggest that the people on public assistance in this country are majority black. How out of touch with reality are you?

    I soooooo tired of listening to folks who've grown up in non-diverse situations talking as if they actually know something about another ethnic groups experience.

    “TONGUE-TIED”. Really???? That's the best explanation he's got???

    January 5, 2012 08:44 am at 8:44 am |
  86. Phil in KC

    Baloney! I saw the footage. He didn't stumble. He very clearly said "Black". He not only propagates the stereotype of blacks, but all welfare recipients, as lazy cheats who don't want to work. Those people exist, but there are a lot more who are truly in need and have nowhere else to turn. One more reason why I don't like the far right and their extremist views.

    January 5, 2012 08:44 am at 8:44 am |
  87. S

    Of course, he said, 'black'.

    January 5, 2012 08:45 am at 8:45 am |
  88. Jordan

    He said, "black." He hesitated but he said it. I hate that he lied about it though. Why can't folks just admit their mistakes, apologize and move on?? Either way, no point in getting sensitive and upset about it. Yeah I'm talking to you NAACP.

    January 5, 2012 08:45 am at 8:45 am |
  89. Jules

    Just watched the video – for sure he said "black people." He can try to explain it away by saying he stumbled, but if he did, he stumbled into the word black.

    January 5, 2012 08:46 am at 8:46 am |
  90. icecold

    Well, now we know that Santorim is a liar bc if he didnt say "black people's lives" then I am Elvis Presley. That was racist and shameful for him to pick out black people as the source of white people's problems. This is why Republicans have such a terrible image among minorities and why we would never vote for them. Even the article states that Iowa has more whites on welfare than African Americans.

    January 5, 2012 08:46 am at 8:46 am |
  91. GROVER NORQUIST IS A ENEMY OF THE STATE

    You said what you meant and you meant what you said Rick. Not all of us are on welfare scumbag. I was born and raised in the ghetto and I'm doing just fine without any handout from anyone. As far as calling me black, well I am black. I get offended when I get called african american because I'm not african american, I'm American!

    January 5, 2012 08:49 am at 8:49 am |
  92. KH

    He's full of it...if he was tongue tied it was because he realized he said Black People and tried to blur over it. He wasn't tongue tied anywhere else in his little speech. If he didn't say 'black' what was it? blat? blah? block?

    This guy is nutty...the other day he said "Walmart doesn't need unions...they're not going anywhere" Of course not, they are paying people minimum wage service industry jobs to sell manufactured goods that are now made in China! Walmart is probably China's biggest customer!

    January 5, 2012 08:50 am at 8:50 am |
  93. kmp

    Now that is something I don't hear everyday "I was tounge tied", you hear "I misspoke" a lot but tounge tied. How then does it come out as "I want to make back people" doesn't make sense, he meant black and he is backpeddaling. It has long been assumed that the only people on Welfare are black people, so his statement isn't a mispeak or a tongue tied moment he spoke the truth as he sees it, and it is Shameful.

    January 5, 2012 08:51 am at 8:51 am |
  94. Name king

    Nothing to see here folks just another repubs candidate playing to their rabid right winged voters.

    January 5, 2012 08:51 am at 8:51 am |
  95. papanez

    That's my Santorum. that famous intolerance is beginning to re-appear. This ought to be fun.

    January 5, 2012 08:53 am at 8:53 am |
  96. nowukno

    Hmmmm...it was the night b4 CHRISTmas......!

    January 5, 2012 08:55 am at 8:55 am |
  97. warren

    REpublicans work hard alienate african americans.

    January 5, 2012 08:56 am at 8:56 am |
  98. Justin

    It's obvious he didn't say "black". He started to say "lives" and then realized he needed to say "people's lives". The real story with this is that something so obviously bogus would gain media traction. A second story is that Santorum, while I think he must have a world view more accurate than Romney, is obviously engaging in filthy rhetoric.

    Democrats really want people to become dependent on the government so they can get their vote? That's tantamount to saying democrats are evil power obsessed villains, the stuff of movies where a Bourne or a Jack Bauer rises to end the conspiracy.

    Democrats (i.e. half the country) think that the quickest solution to help people that suffer is to do it by force of law. If someone is disabled or out of work and someone else has two homes on the coast and plays the stock market like a gambling addiction, Democrats say, "Lets take from the later to help the former." In fact that is the most obvious solution. You could wait for the rich, of their own volition, to give to the poor instead of directing the economy to produce things that aren't necessary, but the most sure and immediate solution is a legal Robin Hood. Democrats may be wrong but that is the most obvious thing to try.

    Republicans seem to think that if you're poor or suffering, it's likely because you've not taken your individual responsibility to lift yourself up. They may have a case, but they never, the conservative "christian" party NEVER, makes the case. Present some research for crying out loud of how the most obvious solution is wrong. "The rich are the job creators so we can't take from them" just doesn't cut it, particularly when the economy is in a dump as there are piles of cash everywhere that aren't being spent or lent.

    I happen to think the country might best be served having Republicans in control, at least until we can get some, any, long term entitlement reform that says, "yes we are going prevent the complete collapse of the United States." Democrats seem to be in denial although getting any reasonable finite tax increase in return for a sustainable budget for not just 10 but, 20, 30 or 50 years is a deal the Republicans should have taken.

    In summary it is very discouraging to hear useless rhetoric out of the latest best non-Romney.

    January 5, 2012 08:57 am at 8:57 am |
  99. Dean

    What's the issue...Santorum is correct. African-Americans are statistically (as a percentage) the largest recipient group of welfare benefits.

    January 5, 2012 08:58 am at 8:58 am |
  100. Kaycee

    Right...no one heard you say that. I heard it just fine when I watched the video. If that was not the word you were wanting to use, then what 'b' word were you looking for? Either way, the word probably was not a good one.

    January 5, 2012 09:04 am at 9:04 am |
  101. hgmma

    Please..... This was absolutely intentional. GOP voters eat this stuff up; when a candidate says they want to "take America back" that is code word for taking back from progress made to include minority groups that historically have been disenfranchised.

    January 5, 2012 09:04 am at 9:04 am |
  102. NAJEWEH2

    Well, this doesn't surprise me at all.We, people of color experience it everyday; racism Racism/stereotypes based on their past experiences or their family teachings. According to statistics, there are more Caucasian's on welfare than blacks. We don't need someone in office,as chief, whom has these stereotypical beliefs ingrained within. By the way, this country was built on the blood, sweat and tears of africans brought here; where is our retribution. Where is the american people's justice? There's enough money for congressmen to live luxuriously,ball players,superstars,etc, alot of money being spent on the lower classes back @ 7.25/hr. This is the problem after we remove the race distraction; it's people.

    January 5, 2012 09:07 am at 9:07 am |
  103. 55molecules

    His true colors are shining through.

    January 5, 2012 09:07 am at 9:07 am |
  104. DJH

    Just like he didn't hear the crowd boo the gay soldier at the debate a few months ago. He should think about gettin a hearing aid.

    January 5, 2012 09:10 am at 9:10 am |
  105. Oraymw

    As much as I am definitely not for Rick Santorum, and I would love for him to make such a gaffe, I have to say that it seems like he just stumbled as he was talking. I mean, he said "b-brolling" about 3 seconds later. I had to listen to it a second time to catch which part they were talking about.

    January 5, 2012 09:10 am at 9:10 am |
  106. Primewonk

    He was going to say black. He started to say black and then tried to stop. He only got out the blac.

    January 5, 2012 09:12 am at 9:12 am |
  107. BLKMANinAmerica

    To many times white people just need to shut up and say nothing at all. Not that he's looking for the African American vote, but he surely wont get it now.

    January 5, 2012 09:14 am at 9:14 am |
  108. Anti Racist Boston Bear

    Santorum, is openly racist among people he feels comfortable with. No real Republican, who values all human life, would make such a statement. This is a not a candidate, but a being, who could not get re-elected in PA., his own state.

    January 5, 2012 09:14 am at 9:14 am |
  109. Shpaget

    "Jealous said that in Iowa, for example, a strong majority of welfare recipients are white"

    That's a good one – there's about 6 black people in Iowa.

    January 5, 2012 09:15 am at 9:15 am |
  110. Jim in PA

    Hm. And I would have thought that a conservative white guy in a sweater vest would have been more cutting edge on the issue of civil rights (eyeroll....)

    January 5, 2012 09:16 am at 9:16 am |
  111. rs

    No, Santorum spoke accurately. The GOP/TP DON'T want to make anyone's lives better, except of course the very rich, and their new corporate masters. The Middle Class as far as the GOP/TP is concerned can go to Hell.

    The proof? The fake outrage from the GOP/TP over the placement of the head of the consumer watchdog agency. The GOP/TP had filibustered that position (along with hundreds of others) in an attempt to ensure the agency could not function. It's job? to protect Amercian citizens from predatory lending activities from non-bank lenders. Same with the NLRB positions. Their job? To protect American workers. Meanwhile the GOP/TP works to make bankruptsy easier for their corporate handlers (sheilding them from financial responsibilities), while making it harder for citizens.

    There they go again! Supporting the rich over the rest of us!

    January 5, 2012 09:17 am at 9:17 am |
  112. Robert - Atlanta

    If he intended to use another word what was it? What word describing welfare recipients sounds like black? Surely – he was not stammering because he almost said the other word, the word he uses in private and with his close friends to describe African Americans. Slick Rick wouldn’t lose any support from his followers no matter what he called “those people”!

    January 5, 2012 09:17 am at 9:17 am |
  113. iamanordinaryguy

    @Nancy – It's not important at all to be politically correct. In fact, pretty much every member of society hears "politically correct" and dislikes it. No, what's important is to not be a racist.

    January 5, 2012 09:17 am at 9:17 am |
  114. saopaco

    Own up to it, you pansy. Anyone who watches the video knows what you said.

    January 5, 2012 09:18 am at 9:18 am |
  115. Jim in PA

    I would be surprised if he did say the word "black." People like Santorum usually prefer the word "colored."

    January 5, 2012 09:18 am at 9:18 am |
  116. ML

    Woops! It's as clear as day. He said what he was thinking and he should own up to it. It was in the context of typical GOP dogma. He just slipped. Next story....

    January 5, 2012 09:18 am at 9:18 am |
  117. Josh

    Wow...its funny that people call Europeans and Caucasians "white" but if you say black instead of African American now you are demonized. Seriously, I don't care for the guy or his politics but is this is a real issue?

    January 5, 2012 09:19 am at 9:19 am |
  118. ghanmier

    Just add the word Hispanics to Blacks and Santorum would have been more accurate.
    What is wrong with the truth?
    Go to any supermarket at the beginning of the month and see the long lines of food stamp recipients with baskets loaded to the brim. Blacks and Hispanics behind the carts. Guess who foots the bill.
    Political Correctness just masks the truth.

    January 5, 2012 09:19 am at 9:19 am |
  119. vote the Tea Party OUT in 2012

    @ Nancy...
    from your response I can not only tell you are NOT black but another far rightwing job.
    First of all it is a total INSULT to claim that only black people in this country are on welfare.....what about the white people and Latinos that are as well?
    And one thing Rick said I agree with, people want JOBS not handouts and that includes many on welfare and food stamps that prfer a real check and not a government one. The GOP is very good at putting lables on people. He may not have meant to just point out black people but maybe it was just a Freudian (sic) slip meaning he really thought it but mean to say it. Just another reason I really don't care for Santorum.

    January 5, 2012 09:19 am at 9:19 am |
  120. the alternative

    He's a republican, what did you expect??????

    January 5, 2012 09:20 am at 9:20 am |
  121. Matt

    Only in America does something like this matter. You can substitute any race there and the point is a good one.

    January 5, 2012 09:22 am at 9:22 am |
  122. Clyde

    Why would anyone expect anythig else out of him? Santorum, like all republicans, is fueled by hatred and bigotry.

    January 5, 2012 09:23 am at 9:23 am |
  123. When they open their mouths, they insert a foot

    I grew up around evangelicals like Santorum. I went to a fundamentalist baptist school that was even more to the right than an evangelical school, but you can use the same paint brush to describe both. I would be surprised if someone like Santorum had said anything different. This is the typical rhetoric I heard growing up from this particular bunch of people.

    January 5, 2012 09:28 am at 9:28 am |
  124. ja

    corporate america receive welfare, the titles are fancy, tax abatements (freezes), farm sudsidies, striped down all is a form of welfare

    January 5, 2012 09:28 am at 9:28 am |
  125. fred ca

    Wow...the naacp thinks that is what he said (although if you listen, honestly, to the tape it is clear it is NOT what he said) and they are upset? This is the same organization who had at it's head a person who, when forced to leave leadship for illegally using 100's of thousands of dollars to cover-up a sexual issue stated he was being 'driven from the industry? The naacp has reinforced what they are...a useless race-baiting industry.

    January 5, 2012 09:29 am at 9:29 am |
  126. Scum 1981

    I don't like Santorum, I think he is a despicable human being who would do serious damage to the country, but I think he did stumble here. Maybe my speakers aren't good enough and I want to think that he said it, because it would help confirm some thoughts that I've had about him, but it didn't sound exactly like that to me.

    January 5, 2012 09:31 am at 9:31 am |
  127. RWB1956

    Even if he didn't say it, that still sounds like the current crop of Republicans spreading fear and intolerance and bigotry about people they know nothing about. And sadly, before the day is over, there will be people agreeing to what he alledgedly said. These people just know that all black people are on welfare, all hispanics are "illegals" and all muslims are terrorists. You know, the Archie Bunkers come to life.

    January 5, 2012 09:31 am at 9:31 am |
  128. Inrealityhere

    It doesn't matter what he says; the fact of the matter is that he opposes the Socialistic ideas that are ruining this country. I don't care if he said "black" or "white", but you can be sure all hell will break out against this man because he's is morally sound. BTW, look at his RECORD and you will clearly see (if you can see at all) he has done more to help black people than anyone.

    January 5, 2012 09:33 am at 9:33 am |
  129. Freddy

    This Santorum man is simply a racist. When he was talking about President Obama's position on abortion, he also went into racist tantrums. NOT FIT TO BE POTUS in this age and time.

    January 5, 2012 09:34 am at 9:34 am |
  130. Justin

    Does it really matter if he said black or not? They are black just like white people are white. Its politically correct. They are not African Americans unless they come from Africa so get over it.

    January 5, 2012 09:35 am at 9:35 am |
  131. Sean

    Call it like it is bro, no Santorum supporter (by a long shot), but give me a break...when you hear of welfare, what race is the first to come to mind?

    Bone-Thugs-N-Harmony made a song about "Tha First of tha Month," which was all about cashing your welfare checks.

    January 5, 2012 09:36 am at 9:36 am |
  132. bigdoglv

    Big deal! It cracks me up when all you sheep start screaming at the drop of a hat. Your side is no better, no worse, but inept like the rest in our government. People on both sides need to start thinking about important issues. Iran will be #1 by Nov.

    January 5, 2012 09:36 am at 9:36 am |
  133. eddieb

    This is stupid people get a life. we all slip. I get what he was saying and he is right teach poor people no matter what color they are to work for a living. I live in the city and they are all out to beat the system for freee money and the ones that realy need it suffer. Get rid of the fraud if you can talk you can work.We need to restructure our welfare and ssi system to many getting over on it. Drug test them why should my tax money go to a drug dealer... Obama 2012

    January 5, 2012 09:36 am at 9:36 am |
  134. Matt

    I don't mean for this to come across sounding racist, but I find it interesting that organizations like the NAACP are always quick to point out that blacks are disproportionately effected by poverty, unemployment, etc. when it benefits their agenda, but as soon as a white person or any Republican (as we saw with Herman Cain) uses the same talk track they are called racists or in the case of Herman Cain a traitor. I think if The black community wants to create a world that is color blind, they need to stop pointing out color (this goes for Santorum as well) everytime they speak or talk policy. Instead of focusing on blacks, look at the segment of the population the majority of blacks fall into, whether it is poor, middle class, or wealthy, and work to help those segments of the population as a whole. I'm not nieve, racism exists, but I just think the black community as a whole doesn't benefit from an agenda that tries to acheive equality by starting out the conversation by seperating the black community from the rest of the population.

    January 5, 2012 09:36 am at 9:36 am |
  135. Henry Miller

    “I don’t want to make black people’s lives better by giving them someone’s money. I want to give them the opportunity to go out and earn the money.”

    So it's Politically Incorrect to observe that there is greater incidence of poverty among blacks? I'm no fan of Rick Santorum, but this is yet another example of thin-skinned over-reaction by the NAACP.

    Of course, the NAACP is a strong supporter of the Democratic Party and will take any opportunity to smear a Republican. I'm just surprised that they didn't object to Santorum's basic premise that it's reasonable to expect anyone to actually earn a living–mostly, the Dems seem to think that giving away other peoples' money is a fine thing to do.

    January 5, 2012 09:37 am at 9:37 am |
  136. KH

    How do people mangle this into stating he OBVIOUSLY was trying to say 'lives' (where is the hard b sound in lives?) OK maybe I could see one person making this statement....but multiple people making the same bogus claim is nothing but campaign orchestrated spin.

    January 5, 2012 09:37 am at 9:37 am |
  137. T'sah from Virginia

    Herman Cain would have said it for Santorum. And all of the candidates would have hidden behind Cain's word with pride and agree with him. The "Koch-Brother from Another Mother" is not there anymore. So maybe Right-White folks think they can say things like this and get away with it too. Keep in mind, though, Cain did not get away with it either!!!

    Obama 2012

    January 5, 2012 09:37 am at 9:37 am |
  138. JohnPA

    He clearly says "I don't want to make thelives people's lives easier" which would have been an ambiguous use of "their lives" instead of "People's lives" and not "black people's lives"

    This is coming from someone who thinks Santorum is a divisive bigot.

    January 5, 2012 09:38 am at 9:38 am |
  139. Lynda/Minnesota

    Hey, Ricky ... ( read my lips ) ... me and mine will once again be voting for "that one".

    Obama/Biden 2012

    January 5, 2012 09:38 am at 9:38 am |
  140. Sean

    So now there's a B word?? Lol, what's next, don't say the A word

    January 5, 2012 09:39 am at 9:39 am |
  141. Thomas

    Defending the indefensible. It's the GOP way....

    "I'm sorry, BP... please don't go away!"

    January 5, 2012 09:40 am at 9:40 am |
  142. Sniffit

    He would have been much better off saying exactly what he was really thinking: nothing.

    January 5, 2012 09:41 am at 9:41 am |
  143. Rosslaw

    Santorum is right. I clearly heard him say "frothy", which sounds a lot like black to conservatives.

    January 5, 2012 09:42 am at 9:42 am |
  144. Honest

    You may say that "he's calling it how he sees it," but the fact of the matter is, what he's saying is not true. It is old, tired, race-based stereotypes being perpetuated by republicans. I actually support republicans in many of their initiatives because I do believe that encouraging education and providing folks with the tools to help themselves is the best way forward. But you lose me when you start insulting entire ethnic groups. Anyone who wants to know can easily find out that in fact, white Americans are the largest benefactors from welfare programs. No one EVER talks about that, but they throw out the same old "Welfare Queens" trash put forth by Reagan. There is a reason that blacks hate Reagan.

    January 5, 2012 09:43 am at 9:43 am |
  145. Paul1st

    Being tongue-tied and blurting out something usually reveals what a person is thinking and who has not had time for the rational spin-doctor in his head to edit the comment to be what he should say and not what he wants to say. In other words, Santorum believes (grossly in error) that blacks receive the majority of welfare payments. His comment taken together with his claim that he has worked closely with multicultural communities merely shows he can work with a demographic segment and not understand their situation. So much for being able to represent all of the people.

    January 5, 2012 09:43 am at 9:43 am |
  146. GetTheeToaSanitorium

    What he meant to say was "I don't want to help black people." Period.

    January 5, 2012 09:43 am at 9:43 am |
  147. Nelson Colorado Springs Co.

    Using the words "Black People " isn't a Racial Slur But it is what he said. If Rick Santorum had said I don’t want to make people’s lives better by giving them someone’s money. I want to give them the opportunity to go out and earn the money.” nothing would have been said. But Rick Santorum did target Black People on Welfare or on assistance. But Rick needs to check his facts. There are more White People on Welfare than Black People or other people of Color.

    January 5, 2012 09:44 am at 9:44 am |
  148. Joseph A Bank

    Time to pack up the sweater vests. This will haunt him. It's time for the classisc dodges. The "I dont recall" or "What I meant to say was" or "It was a long day and I meant to say Flack people because I like Roberta Flack".

    January 5, 2012 09:44 am at 9:44 am |
  149. Karen

    Blacks are the largest recipients of welfare, this is a fact. Also people that get off welfare & fins jobs in the private sector do much better financially. There's nothing controversial about stating the truth. Some people just don't like to hear it.

    January 5, 2012 09:45 am at 9:45 am |
  150. Pat in IL

    Not owning up to it is a much worse character flaw than saying it.

    January 5, 2012 09:45 am at 9:45 am |
  151. brian

    This should be an eye opening moment for people, he could not stop his tongue from saying what his brain was actually thinking, to lie is an intentional process the mind must focus on, the truth however is just a repeating of data that is actually stored in our minds..............watch this guy lie, lie, lie

    January 5, 2012 09:45 am at 9:45 am |
  152. Paul

    Well, Mr.Santorum has a serious problem. I heard the word "black" clearly in the speech and for him to deny that he said what he said means only two things:
    a) He is a blatant liar or
    b) his ears cannot hear what his mouth says.
    Either condition makes him ineligible to be our Commander in Chief.
    Probably he is so conditioned to his discriminatory thinking that he does not recognize it any more in his speech.

    January 5, 2012 09:45 am at 9:45 am |
  153. Rudy NYC

    Dean wrote:

    What's the issue...Santorum is correct. African-Americans are statistically (as a percentage) the largest recipient group of welfare benefits.
    -------------
    This is typical of what is wrong in this country. Blame black Americans for everything. CBS, who first reported this story, reports that only 9% of the welfare recipients in the state of Iowa are black, while 84% are white. Nationwide, the majority of welfare recipients, 70%, are white Americans. Who said that the election of a black American as POTUS signified a "post racial society" in America?

    January 5, 2012 09:45 am at 9:45 am |
  154. Seattle Sue

    Why doesn't the nitwit just view the tape? That would be the best thing to do and then if he didn't say black then he can just stammer some more.

    January 5, 2012 09:46 am at 9:46 am |
  155. Independent Voters

    Santorum is a racist we dont need a president who put down african american. By the way Santorum it more white people on welfare then black. Santorum do you know social secuirty is welfare also guess how many white receive social secuirty.

    January 5, 2012 09:46 am at 9:46 am |
  156. Honest

    Black people are not, based on a percentage, the largest recipients of welfare. That would be saying that at least 50 percent of the people in this country receiving welfare are black and that is NOT true. The bottom line is this, which group is receiving the most money from welfare programs? The answer is whites.

    January 5, 2012 09:46 am at 9:46 am |
  157. KH

    "I am no Santorum supporter, but...."

    is a key phrase in spin doctoring

    January 5, 2012 09:47 am at 9:47 am |
  158. tom

    Fact is, there are more whites below poverty line in sheer numbers. There are more blacks than any other race below poverty line as a percentage. The bottom line is that work/jobs get you out of the welfare program cycle. Teaching kids to work hard is the most important tool. Newt was on to something about giving kids work after school. Unfortunately many parents allow their kids to watch tv and play video games porportionately way more than chores. I'm guilty of this with my son and he is struggling. I am above the poverty line but I have done a poor job in teaching my son to work and now in hindsight I have spoiled him.

    January 5, 2012 09:48 am at 9:48 am |
  159. Bob

    Own it, Rickie boy, you said, deal with it.

    January 5, 2012 09:50 am at 9:50 am |
  160. John

    All Republican are Racist and feel with hatred and are Bigot. Why did you think why they been trying to get rid of President Obama since day One. It had nothing to do with what he did,even that he got the Economy Is Improving and the stock market Is back to where It was. The what to get rid of him because of the color of his skin.

    January 5, 2012 09:50 am at 9:50 am |
  161. John in Brooklyn

    It was "black". CNN...stop giving Santoruma "pass" on his positions and statements that are clearly out of step with msot Americans.

    January 5, 2012 09:50 am at 9:50 am |
  162. Michael

    Comon ricky.. dont mess this up too early! We need to to give Romney a good run for his money as long as possible so the republican nominating process is as messed up as long as possible. THEN you can self destruct as America sees how racist and bigoted and royally messed up in the head you really are. Pacing is everything.

    January 5, 2012 09:50 am at 9:50 am |
  163. Bob

    "Karen – Blacks are the largest recipients of welfare, this is a fact."

    That is utter right wing garbage.

    January 5, 2012 09:51 am at 9:51 am |
  164. tom

    I was at a construction meeting that had minority participation goals. A local represenative said we want to know how many blacks you are going to have not hispanics on your participation forms.

    January 5, 2012 09:51 am at 9:51 am |
  165. Rudy NYC

    Henry Miller wrote:

    So it's Politically Incorrect to observe that there is greater incidence of poverty among blacks? I'm no fan of Rick Santorum, but this is yet another example of thin-skinned over-reaction by the NAACP.

    Of course, the NAACP is a strong supporter of the Democratic Party and will take any opportunity to smear a Republican.
    ---------------–
    It is politically incorrect when your statements are factually incorrect. 84% of welfare recipients in Iowa are white, only 8% are black. 70% of all welfare recipients in this country are white. Black Americans comprise less than 15% of the population in this country, and typically have double the unemployment rate of white Americans in most regions.

    I guess it never occured to you that black Americans are smarter voters. They are an electorate who consistently vote in *their* best interests. Most of the current Republican field has had their share of racial controversy, including the black guy. Perry had his rock. Cain was brainwashed. Santorum has this remark, and others. Gingrich thinks black kids need to be janitors. Ron Paul was keynote speaker for the John Birch Society. Did I miss anyone?

    January 5, 2012 09:52 am at 9:52 am |
  166. kevin

    Unless you were born in Africa you are not an African-American, your an American.

    January 5, 2012 09:52 am at 9:52 am |
  167. onehappyguy

    An unfortunate remark that will be very difficult to overcome. These types of slips can ruin a campaign. If he would have just stuck by his comment, and admited he used the word "black," and went in to how their is a moral obligation this country has to lift all Americans out of poverty, including blacks, not by handing them money others have earned, but by creating more jobs so people can take care of themselves, this would be over as a story.

    January 5, 2012 09:53 am at 9:53 am |
  168. Independent Voters

    Santorum you said the word black out clear and I heard it on CNN

    January 5, 2012 09:53 am at 9:53 am |
  169. Nina

    It is clearly obvious he said "black". The difinition of a politician in the dictionary chould "LAIR".

    January 5, 2012 09:53 am at 9:53 am |
  170. mary

    You know, I listened to the tape, with an open mind, because I just didn't think anyone could something that dumb. But yeah, he said it. Clear as a bell. His campaign had better work up a better response than"he stumbled". that is not going to wash.

    January 5, 2012 09:54 am at 9:54 am |
  171. Dominican mama 4 Obama

    Gosh, I'll say it again: why are we still surprised?
    The Newtered and his boy janitors, The N-Stone Perry, The Head, 1950's You-Can't-Come-In Paul, Batty and her Slave-Free Floundering Fathers.
    Come on now.
    They are exactly what they appear to be.

    January 5, 2012 09:55 am at 9:55 am |
  172. Mike

    I'm black. I'll take a welfare check to go with my 6 figure salary. Damn you Rick. You are ruining my hustle.

    January 5, 2012 09:56 am at 9:56 am |
  173. Michael

    OH btw @Karen and Rudy above... do you REALLY think that blacks make up a greater % of welfare recipients because they WANT to be poor? REALLY? Its that great?! You might want to do some research on dominant power groups, economic mobility, and racial economic injustice.

    January 5, 2012 09:56 am at 9:56 am |
  174. Jeff--Tacoma WA

    Who would have guessed Rick Santorium was a Racist? Anyone with an IQ over 80?

    January 5, 2012 09:58 am at 9:58 am |
  175. Rich

    You said black Rick...Only the born again morons will believe you.

    January 5, 2012 09:59 am at 9:59 am |
  176. Rich

    Rick looks alot like Lee Harvey Oswald...

    January 5, 2012 10:00 am at 10:00 am |
  177. HENDERWAY

    @ Kevin: How many "blank people" do you know? I've watched it several times also and lets face it, HE SAID BLACK PEOPLE. If this is the way he wants to get started on the national stage, I can only imagine what else he has up his sleeve. So, lets see, he's against equal rights for gays, and now he believes that only black people get public assistance. What will he do when he visits a poor back woods town, come out in black face makeup? ENOUGH ALREADY SANTORUM. Apologize. All the "work you've done with African-Americans" was just wiped out by the truth in your heart, that accidentally "stumbled out of your mouth".

    January 5, 2012 10:02 am at 10:02 am |
  178. MiketheElectrician

    Paul and Brian you hit the nail on the head. Cannot add to near perfect comments.

    January 5, 2012 10:02 am at 10:02 am |
  179. icecold

    If you don't think he said black people, ask the black guy holding the boom mike what he said. Look at the way he looks up when Santorum says it and the way he cuts his eyes at him the rest of the speech. I mean the guy wasn't even paying attention to santorum until he said black people and then it looks like he wanted to punch him in the back of the head.

    January 5, 2012 10:03 am at 10:03 am |
  180. Jim

    "He conflates welfare recipients with African-Americans, though federal benefits are in fact determined by income level.”

    I hate to pick nits, but this is an argument of convenience. Mr. Jealous tries to downplay the nexus between race and public assistance because doing so supports the narrative that Santorum is just another mean 'ol racist white Republican. Jealous and his ilk also speak out about the injustices of the criminal justice system. However, they would never say that so-and-so 'conflates criminal records with African-Americans, though guilt for crimes is in fact determined by an impartial jury of the defendant's peers.' Instead, they constantly rail against a criminal justic system that is biased towards blacks. So....either blacks are disproportionately impacted by government (sanctions, programs, actions) or not, but please stop cherry-picking.

    January 5, 2012 10:03 am at 10:03 am |
  181. SOUTHERN HOTTIE

    Who cares? He won't get the AA vote anyway. Next.

    January 5, 2012 10:04 am at 10:04 am |
  182. rob

    You caught yourself in chain of thought and tried to change it. You said what you meant to say and realized the negative implications it would have and "mumbled" halfway through saying it. Don't string around what happened and own it.

    January 5, 2012 10:04 am at 10:04 am |
  183. Larry L

    I'm shocked! Shocked I say! A Republican with bias against minorities? The next thing we'll see is one of them coming out against the rights of gay people... or maybe some Republican who isn't concerned about our environment.

    January 5, 2012 10:05 am at 10:05 am |
  184. j.Huggins

    Please listen to the conversation, he clearly said black people, working, welfare, taking and giving other people money to them. My parents, grandparents, great grandparents, have never depended on welfare, they have always worked and provided for their families, this clearly an attack on the (black) African-American community, our community is bigger than just Chester, PA. All the African-American people I know, do not want anyone to give them anything, other than a "fair" chance at an opportunity to contribute to mankind and may a difference in someone's life. "I Am A Man". Open your eyes Herman Cain, and see your running mates for what and who they are.

    January 5, 2012 10:06 am at 10:06 am |
  185. doc111

    Well, when I first heard it, is sounded like "black" to me and after hearing several more times, it still sounds like "black". This is just a not-so-subtle way of associating people of color with people who are actually using most of the benefits of being a U.S. citizen.

    January 5, 2012 10:09 am at 10:09 am |
  186. Dave3000

    The good Catholic Boy Rick Santorum on healthcare...“People die in America because people die in America. And people make poor decisions with respect to their health and their healthcare. And they don’t go to the emergency room or they don’t go to the doctor when they need to,” he said. “And it’s not the fault of the government for not providing some sort of universal benefit." ...Another Republican who is a pint short of compassion...Iowa is not a good cross-section of America...Enjoy your fifteen minutes of fame Rick!

    January 5, 2012 10:11 am at 10:11 am |
  187. Eyeforaneye

    Welcome to the mix good sir...watch what you say and burn any past books you wrote...good luck...believe me, you are going to need it! LOL

    January 5, 2012 10:11 am at 10:11 am |
  188. GI Joe

    He hasn't checked his facts.

    In IOWA, 80% of the people on welfare are WHITE.

    January 5, 2012 10:12 am at 10:12 am |
  189. ronnyg

    Um, yeah, he said "black." He hesitated, because he realized as he began to say it that it might not be a great idea. But there was no turning back. Can't figure what reasonable alternative there could be to his saying "black."

    January 5, 2012 10:12 am at 10:12 am |
  190. We ALL Know, Mami

    The scariest thing about this guy is that I DO believe that he did not hear himself say it - he really did not. That tells me that this racism is so ingrained in him that he cannot even hear it anymore. It is simply a subconscious part of his being now - blacks are food stamp dependent. Wow. Run away from this guy.

    January 5, 2012 10:50 am at 10:50 am |
  191. Zack

    Now we know who wrote those news letters for RP.

    Well shame on him for assuming all black people are on welfare. That being said, shame on blacks for thinking all white people have money. shame on the rest of you for not seeing that a larger portion of black people are on welfare as compared to the rest. Do I think its there fault? no. Do I agree with welfare? No! However, until ajoles like Santorum and Romney stop sending american jobs over seas, then we're going to need it. ALL OF US! Its okay that Santorum used the word black but refering to all black people as welfare recipients is disgusting. Americans want to work! White, black, brown, and yellow, we want to prosper. Its not going to happen under Obama or anyone other than RP, start doing your homework america.

    January 5, 2012 10:51 am at 10:51 am |
  192. hillcrester

    What else could he possibly have meant to say, given the context of that sentence? Did he "mean" to say "poor" but his unconscous betrayed him?

    I don't think it is particularly relevant–most of us have some racist thoughts buried inside–but it may show how his inexperience in moments like that will cause him trouble.

    January 5, 2012 10:51 am at 10:51 am |
  193. basketcase

    So, Rick, what you're saying is, you were going to say black people, realized at the last second it would be a bad idea to say that, and mumbled something that sounded kind of like black. That isn't really any better.

    January 5, 2012 10:57 am at 10:57 am |
  194. Therealme

    "Why is being politically correct so important nowadays? He called it like he saw it." – Nancy

    In this case, people are simply expecting political figures to not hold opinions based upon prejudice. What is prejudice? Prejudice is to prejudge something. I expect my leaders to have opinions founded upon reasonable information and not prejudice. Apparently we differ in this regard.

    Anyone with basic research skills can look at the existing data on welfare and see his opinion is flawed. As pointed out in the article.

    January 5, 2012 10:57 am at 10:57 am |
  195. Tex71

    Once again, a Republican provides evidence that conservatives want you to believe that poverty is the result of laziness as opposed to a system that disenfranchises the working class. The laziest, least productive people in this country are not the poor; they are the wealthy ones who spend all their time lying around on the back of a yacht or sitting around being waited on hand and foot at the country club.

    January 5, 2012 10:58 am at 10:58 am |
  196. roldoc

    I am shocked at the number of posts,well intentioned I suppose,that would like the rest of us to believe that Mr. Santorum did not say "black people's lives",when in fact that is what he said.

    January 5, 2012 11:01 am at 11:01 am |
  197. Ed Killer

    Really, this is an issue? The word "black" is used all the time on TV, and other media. Guess what, everyone says it. It's one syllable, not seven, like African American. I can't stand Santorum, but this is all you can dig up on this guy?

    It's like with Southpark, the guys make fun of everything, depriving taboos of their power, allowing for topical discussion without a negative stigma. To empower an adjective like "black" only makes the issue worse, and confuses non black people because they have no idea what word can be used to describe a black person.

    January 5, 2012 11:02 am at 11:02 am |
  198. wfhutchi

    I was taught, if I said something stupid, wrong, incorrect, hurtful, or out of ignorance, I should apologize, examine myself as to why I made the statement, and endeavor not to say it again.. Trying to do otherwise, does nothing but makes what I said worst.

    January 5, 2012 11:05 am at 11:05 am |
  199. mb2010a

    One more down the tubes...four or five more to go. He definitely said "Black people" and there is no two ways about it...Obama 2012.

    January 5, 2012 11:06 am at 11:06 am |
  200. DIANA

    It sounded like he said black but stumbled when he said it, (like he was trying to say a lot but decided on staying with his original word). He might have meant to say something else but he probably said what he was actually thinking.

    January 5, 2012 11:08 am at 11:08 am |
  201. doc

    He said it!

    January 5, 2012 11:11 am at 11:11 am |
  202. Tad Pole

    I hate it when they say something stupid, and then instead of just admitting they made a mistake, they try to make it seem like EVERYONE ELSE is somehow wrong.

    January 5, 2012 11:11 am at 11:11 am |
  203. GI Joe

    I and my family will be voting for "that one".

    Obama/Biden 2012 Warren 2016

    January 5, 2012 11:16 am at 11:16 am |
  204. GI Joe

    I know two people on welfare - they are both white, and they are both republican They are waiting for their "trickle down" to come gushing in

    January 5, 2012 11:20 am at 11:20 am |
  205. Rudy NYC

    Hasn't anyone noticed the question that he was asked?

    January 5, 2012 11:20 am at 11:20 am |
  206. MEG in PA

    He said "black." Don't kid yourself...

    Plain and simple – Rick Santorum is the most divisive, closed-minded politician you will ever encounter. His goal is to impose his religious ideology on this country, and only people who think like him are worthy of consideration. I am from his home district, and we are all better off with him OUT of office!

    January 5, 2012 11:22 am at 11:22 am |
  207. Expat American

    There are plenty of ‘white’ people on welfare..in fact, there are probably more people on welfare who are ‘white’ than any other demographic group… and Republicans don’t care for much for them either…even those who continue to vote Republican…for some odd reason.

    January 5, 2012 11:23 am at 11:23 am |
  208. paul

    Why is anyone surprised by this? He fits right in to the Republican philosophy. If you lose your job then you are lazy and no good. Just go find a job–like the 1% that the Republicans support.

    January 5, 2012 11:25 am at 11:25 am |
  209. Harry

    Since when is it racist to refer to a black guy as a black guy? Way overboard on a PC bullcr@p IMHO. I don't see the big deal here. I'm a Democrat also.

    January 5, 2012 11:29 am at 11:29 am |
  210. unclecoldcrush

    Poor Ricky!! He most definitely said black and it looks so much worse to lie about it later!! I am an African American and trust me we all know that there are plenty of poor people (black, white, asian, hispanic) on fed assistance, but to single out one group is unforgivable for a potential presidential candidate.

    January 5, 2012 11:31 am at 11:31 am |
  211. anonymous010

    I watched it. He definitely said black – no ifs, ands, or buts about it.

    January 5, 2012 11:34 am at 11:34 am |
  212. Independent Voters

    Santorum I was listening to a radio station this morning and majority of people was saying that you said black. The listeners was very offended that you said black and compare them with welfare. This got to stop we all are american and people are suffering so santorum have you ever been on welfare. Santorum you must dont know what it like to see poor kids not having nothing to eat or dont have a place to live in or sleep.

    January 5, 2012 11:37 am at 11:37 am |
  213. jaintn

    The only thing worse than saying what everyone knows he said is denying he said it. Santorum is in deep doo doo. He might even lose the ultra conservative right wing black vote.

    January 5, 2012 11:38 am at 11:38 am |
  214. toxictown

    He said "black". He half catches himself and then you can even see as the video moves on that he gets distracted and is thinking to himself "damn, how do I get out of this..."

    January 5, 2012 11:40 am at 11:40 am |
  215. Woman In California

    @ GROVER NORQUIST IS A ENEMY OF THE STATE

    I agree with you on the term African American which I have always found offensive. I have never been to Africa and could care less if I go but I am a black American period.

    January 5, 2012 11:42 am at 11:42 am |
  216. Tim

    While I can give Ricky a pass on whether or not he said "black", the most telling feature of the video is the reaction of the African American sound technician when he hears the word Ricky stutters on. From his reaction, Ricky obviously used a word that caught his attention and he was definitely surprised by it. He is there for one purpose and one purpose only; to make sure that the microphone picks up every word Santorum says, listening in on a nice set of headphones, and he definitely has a very different look on his face when Ricky says black or something that sounds very much like it. It really is old news though. Rick has said far more racist things than this. I am sure Romney will remind us of that fact in the next few days. So sad to see Republicans eat their own and spit them out.

    January 5, 2012 11:43 am at 11:43 am |
  217. ZoeyKay

    It's funny to see how he "slips" (yeah, right) and makes a racist remark, and then spends the next few days trying to back-peddle. It's like the person who says they aren't racist, because they have 1 Black friend.

    January 5, 2012 11:44 am at 11:44 am |
  218. sr

    I listened to the tape four times, and he clearly uttered the word 'black.' Would he equally oppose giving white folks in welfare more money to make 'their life better' or did he not want to say it in a room full of white folks, especially when he was trying to get their votes? I liked his idea of giving people opportunity to earn more money for betterment, but singling out a race to make his point is really cheap.

    January 5, 2012 11:44 am at 11:44 am |
  219. Who

    He doesn't even get what he said wrong! If instead of saying " “I don’t want to make black people’s lives better by giving them someone’s money. I want to give them the opportunity to go out and earn the money.” But said instead had said " I don’t want to make people who are out of work lives better by giving them someone’s money. I want to give them the opportunity to go out and earn the money.”
    That line would have been OK if he had said it for people in general....but "black" people?!?!? Tongue-tied, nothing! He is an out and out racist!! I'm not black and I see that!

    January 5, 2012 11:45 am at 11:45 am |
  220. Gino

    Brain-tied is more like it.

    January 5, 2012 11:46 am at 11:46 am |
  221. keith

    oh yes senator you said exactly what has been reported. In fact I was appalled and schocked that it was said and particularily by a candidate running for president of the United States. I feel very strongly that Rick owes the African American community an apology. Otherwise you don't deserve to be leader of the free world.

    January 5, 2012 11:47 am at 11:47 am |
  222. Dustin

    The transcript of his speech says this “I don’t want to make lives, people’s lives better by giving them somebody else’s money.”

    Listen to it again. Listen to how he says "lives" when he says "peoples lives" and compare that to the transcript above. Tommy Christopher from Mediaite even gives him the benefit of the doubt.

    January 5, 2012 11:48 am at 11:48 am |
  223. Mark8000

    It sounds like he started to say 'Black" but stopped in the middle. Its sounds like "bla...". The conservative stereotype is that all welfare/food stamp recipients are either black or illegal immigrants. I'm sure if Rick didn't say "black" his audience filled in the blank for him. Remember Saint Ronald Reagan used to talk about 'welfare queens' in Chicago driving Cadillacs down the streets of Chicago.

    January 5, 2012 11:48 am at 11:48 am |
  224. Katie

    He SAID BLACK-All Day Long baby! And for those of you making excuses for this big dummy, get some earphones and plug it in your computer! He didn't say blah, blank, uh, but 'BLACK! He helped HBCU's right!

    January 5, 2012 11:49 am at 11:49 am |
  225. Eli

    We all struggle with some level of prejudice and obviously Santorum is no different. I think this is great that we all know what he feels deep down before it's too late.

    "Out of the heart, the mouth speaks."

    January 5, 2012 11:50 am at 11:50 am |
  226. GOP = Greed Over People

    Youtube shows he most definitely said black and did he not hear all the white folks applauding his " black welfare" statement either?

    Seems frothy fraud Santorum, is both "deaf and dumb", not what we need in a President.

    January 5, 2012 11:51 am at 11:51 am |
  227. ronnie

    Dont even bother to go to NH baby. It's over!!!!!

    January 5, 2012 11:52 am at 11:52 am |
  228. Todd C

    He's mostly upset because he realized this is exactly Ron Paul's position on the issue, and he wants to differentiate himself somehow.

    January 5, 2012 11:52 am at 11:52 am |
  229. JPO

    I think it's what's known as a "Freudian slip" or parapraxis. A repressed thought accidentally replaces what you intended to say.

    January 5, 2012 11:53 am at 11:53 am |
  230. Zack

    When Ron Paul takes leads, he gets the shaft, when Santorum takes the lead, this story gets hidden at the bottom. Where are all the 'politically necessary' smear articles about Santorum?

    January 5, 2012 11:53 am at 11:53 am |
  231. Charles

    Now we know that he lies.

    January 5, 2012 11:53 am at 11:53 am |
  232. Republican who supports President Obama

    He knew exactly what he was saying. I do not see any of these candidates in urban or poor neighborhoods campaigning or meeting people.

    The GOP is out of touch with the 'everyday' citizen and simple do not know how to interact with or talk about the different cultures within this country. Getting past the photo ops and you will see they only care about a particular segment of the US populace.

    January 5, 2012 11:55 am at 11:55 am |
  233. jason1

    Oh here come the pc police, aka the liberal media. Fact is, blacks do use much higher RATES of welfare and food stamps than whites, commit far more crime per their population percentage than whites, etc. So what if he meant to say it or not. It's true. Don't like it, I don't care.

    January 5, 2012 11:56 am at 11:56 am |
  234. Stan

    The word, "African-American" has seven syllables and "black" has one. Shouldn't be hard to tell which one he said. Denying something that is obvious is a big red flag here folks – especially for somebody that's running for president.

    January 5, 2012 11:57 am at 11:57 am |
  235. Woman In California

    @ Honest

    Thank you for that post. EVERYTHING you said is 100% true and totally the way I feel.
    Have a great day.

    January 5, 2012 11:57 am at 11:57 am |
  236. D

    There's a black reporter standing right behind Santorum. What word does it look like he heard?

    January 5, 2012 11:58 am at 11:58 am |
  237. Bee

    Anyone who thinks that creationism should be"taught" in the public schools is not fit to be the President of the United States.

    January 5, 2012 11:58 am at 11:58 am |
  238. Como

    I see lots of people saying Santorum is a racist. So what do we call people with ethnic roots in Africa. Black or African American? It seems when a liberal wants to paint a moderate to conservative as racist if the subject says "Black" it is racist and the complainer says use "African American". Then it is vice versa. The same for Hispanic, when wanting to be insulted they are not Hispanic but Mexican or Argentinian etc. Well, I am not Irish, I am a Scot and am tired of being called an Irishman. Get my point. Here is what Santorum probably meant. And it is not an easy statistic to state correctly. Statistically there are as many whites as blacks (this is what the federal govt used) on welfare. White 38.8%, Black 39.8, Hispanic 15.7, Asian 2.4, other 3.3. However whites make up 50% of the population, Blacks 15% and Hispanics about 15%. So Santorum is correct in that "blacks" are the preponderonce of welfare recipients statistically. If that is racist then many of you need counselling.

    January 5, 2012 11:58 am at 11:58 am |
  239. jason1

    2% of Iowans are black, yet they use 9% of the food stamps there. Meaning, they use them at a rate over 4.5 x their going rate for their population size. Big surprise. That trend holds up for black everywhere. Welfare and food stamp use among blacks is at epidemic proportions, more than any race by far. They are also only 12% of the population yet commit 65% of all violent crime. So what if someone actually noticed and said it.

    January 5, 2012 11:59 am at 11:59 am |
  240. SeattleBlue

    I'm so anti Santorum and as much as I would like to say he said black, he simple didn't. It's just not there.

    January 5, 2012 12:01 pm at 12:01 pm |
  241. Glenn Doty

    What kind of childish "defense" is that?

    Why not just defend the statement by saying "I was using an example"? For the love of God, this makes him seem like a coward AND an idiot... Just being an idiot is bad enough.

    Just what were the two mumbled words supposed to be: "I don't want to make bald track people's lives better..."?? Battle attack? Blue plaque?
    What was the sentence supposed to be?

    January 5, 2012 12:03 pm at 12:03 pm |
  242. cathstar

    He said BLACK and is now tryint to backtrack. I don't say BLACK when I get tongue tied. If he didn't say BLACK, he should tell us what word he did say. To what "people" was he referring?

    January 5, 2012 12:03 pm at 12:03 pm |
  243. loisaida

    My politics couldn't be more different from Santorum's. I find his beliefs offensive. But, to be fair, it didn't sound like he said "black" to me. I think he was starting to say "lives", stopped, and said "people's lives." But I do think this brings up an important point ... i.e. the impression many white people have that it is black's who receive most welfare. The truth is most welfare recipients are white. Let's make that the topic of discussion.

    January 5, 2012 12:04 pm at 12:04 pm |
  244. Dustin

    This is silly. He didn't say black. I don't like the man or his politics, but this is a non-issue. It's pretty clearly a tongue-tied moment. Now, he like most repubs do think that people only use security nets because their lazy, and not because of the actual reason that history has taught us in that the poor will be run into the ground unless they get help. That's a reason to campaign against him, but not for this.

    January 5, 2012 12:04 pm at 12:04 pm |
  245. GI Joe

    Your turn in the barrel, Santorum. Every word you've ever said, every email you've ever written .............

    January 5, 2012 12:05 pm at 12:05 pm |
  246. Lenny Pincus

    I don't know what I said but I know it wasn't "black". Now let me explain how I will encourage states to criminalize contraception.

    January 5, 2012 12:08 pm at 12:08 pm |
  247. MazeAndBlue

    All republicans think the same. Fact= White people make up the majority on welfare/food stamps/section 8 etc..than any other race. Fact= White people stay on the welfare roles and other subsidies longer than any other race. So what are they talking about!!!!!!

    January 5, 2012 12:12 pm at 12:12 pm |
  248. hatetodisagree

    Listen, I can't stand this guy – he and his crazy values scare me. If he gets elected, I am moving to Australia. But I actually think he did stumble. He started to say "make lives" then stopped and fumbled/jumbled the two words "people and lives" and finally got to "people's lives" . Watch the reaction of the African American cameraman behind him – not a blink. Don't you think he would have at least looked a little shocked if RS had actually said what he is accused of saying?

    January 5, 2012 12:13 pm at 12:13 pm |
  249. Vince

    I'm sure he didn't mean to say black. He probably meant to say another word Tea Baggers use to describe black people.

    January 5, 2012 12:13 pm at 12:13 pm |
  250. Deni

    To those of you who don't consider his Freudian slip showing significant ~ this is not a matter of Santorum being politically correct, it's a matter of him singling out a race of people and how he has labeled them/what he believes. It is an indicator of one of his many character flaws.

    January 5, 2012 12:14 pm at 12:14 pm |
  251. AM:Hate Radio

    Federal Benefits Are In Fact Determined By Income Level

    CBS News looked into the Racial Distribution of Food Stamps In Iowa,

    And Found 9% Of Recipients Are Black, While 84% Are[ White]

    January 5, 2012 12:15 pm at 12:15 pm |
  252. Weasley

    "I'm pretty confident I didn't say Black..." Seriously, that's Santorum's response? Spoken like a true politician and coward.

    January 5, 2012 12:17 pm at 12:17 pm |
  253. irene Allen from FT. Wayne, In;)

    whatevr n the heart..good or bad usually comes out! jst wanna say...there r many many successful black ppl evrywhere & wrk hard @ whatevr they do I'm that black person!. Stop the racism & stereotype..there's only 1 race,......the human race!!! (God loves evrybodi;););)

    January 5, 2012 12:18 pm at 12:18 pm |
  254. JoeT

    Because in the Republican world, the only people on welfare are black. And most of them have cell phones and expensive tastes. Thank you GOP for inventing and perpetuating the myth of the "welfare queen". You've done more to destroy America's poor and middle class than any foreign enemy.

    January 5, 2012 12:19 pm at 12:19 pm |
  255. sam

    rick santorum, the devout Catholic he asserts he is, needs to go to confessional immediately. Lying, I believe, is not a Catholic virtue and lying when caught red-handed is even worse.

    January 5, 2012 12:22 pm at 12:22 pm |
  256. bcm

    He definitely said it. He caught himself but it's pretty clear that he said the word black. There are plenty of caucasians on public aid and content to continue to be "social parasites." This country needs to stop sending all of our jobs offshore and force people to work to support themselves and their families by limiting public aid. However, we can't do this if there are no jobs available. Also, 4 out of 10 children with health care insurance are 4 more than there were prior to Obama.

    January 5, 2012 12:27 pm at 12:27 pm |
  257. Emma

    We kid ourselves when we believe our "slips" do not define our core self.

    January 5, 2012 12:32 pm at 12:32 pm |
  258. Seriously?

    Funny... just the other day he admitted to saying it. So now he is tongue tied? Please Rick... if you are half the Christian you claim to be, you would tell the truth. But your ego is way bigger than your religion.

    January 5, 2012 12:33 pm at 12:33 pm |
  259. dfitzpatrick

    This is coming from the same guy that says the TSA should openly group and discriminate Muslims when doing screenings.

    Was that a tongue-tied moment too?

    I can't remember exactly which debate it was (there's been a lot lol). I believe it was the Foreign Policy debate? Can anyone back me up and source this for others?

    January 5, 2012 12:34 pm at 12:34 pm |
  260. Dominican mama 4 Obama

    Yes I'm with Lynda and GI Joe. I and mine will be voting for THAT ONE too.Again.
    Obama 2012.

    January 5, 2012 12:34 pm at 12:34 pm |
  261. A Forever Democrat

    He said "ba-lot-a" people...... such as in "a lot of" people -check it again.
    Though I'd never vote for him, it's merely poor grammer, not poor manners

    January 5, 2012 12:34 pm at 12:34 pm |
  262. Jake

    oh tongue-tied...racism is totally fine in that case!

    January 5, 2012 12:36 pm at 12:36 pm |
  263. Clara Moore

    Don't understand how people could have gotten the word "black" out of what he said. He definitely did not say black, unless some pronounce black as "blite" - maybe they do. There was certainly a long vowel in the word in question that sounded like an "i" to me. Nothing sounded like "ack" - nothing.

    January 5, 2012 12:37 pm at 12:37 pm |
  264. Patrick

    IHe is an Evangelical… what is to be surprised about?

    January 5, 2012 12:37 pm at 12:37 pm |
  265. Scott

    So what? Why do Mexicans favor landscaping jobs? Oops, did I say Mexicans? The truth is the truth. Doesn't mean only Mexicans do landscaping jobs. Get over it.

    January 5, 2012 12:37 pm at 12:37 pm |
  266. Kris

    I despise Santorum; I believe he is a religious psycho that should never hold public office. That said, I've listened repeatedly to the clip and he stammered the word "lives", similar to blithes (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/blithes) then he corrected himself and said "people's lives."

    There are plenty of idiotic things Santorum has said that he can be beaten up for; this however, is not one of them.

    January 5, 2012 12:37 pm at 12:37 pm |
  267. GreenieInPA

    Oh, please! He didn't even come close to saying that word. Talk about grasping at straws.

    Now, if he did say that word, would he be wrong!?! Nope.

    January 5, 2012 12:39 pm at 12:39 pm |
  268. Shardik

    Sounds like he stumbled trying to play to his "base" and got caught.

    January 5, 2012 12:40 pm at 12:40 pm |
  269. drewsov

    I'm not a Santorum fan in the least. There's a reason we kicked him out of PA and I'm glad we did. But watching the video, it doesn't sound like he said black. It sounds like he was trying to say "lives" and something else. Sounds like it comes out as "blives".

    January 5, 2012 12:41 pm at 12:41 pm |
  270. Jasmine

    Pretty sure he said "blank" – as in "fill in the blank with whatever race you choose to denigrate". Ricky boy – ya probably should get to your closet and burn that hood before someone discovers the evidence. Just like all the republican choices, he thinks he can back pedal by making up some lame excuse like "I stumbled and said blergh" and the "stupid" American people will fall for it hook, line and sinker.

    January 5, 2012 12:43 pm at 12:43 pm |
  271. Jim in Georgia

    Once it's out there you can't take it back...
    You've got to live your life like you are on camera 24/7... Because you are.
    Nationwide there are more white people on assistance than black people.
    You can't tell it around here but it's true.

    January 5, 2012 12:44 pm at 12:44 pm |
  272. Logic in LA

    Not all conservatives are bigots, but let's face it- there are a large number of bigots that call themselves conservative!

    January 5, 2012 12:44 pm at 12:44 pm |
  273. qubee25

    ohhh!! Rickyyyyyyyyyyyy.............wahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!! That was not a Freudian slip; this was one foot on a banana
    peel and the other on a land-mine.

    January 5, 2012 12:45 pm at 12:45 pm |
  274. JOE

    I have a background in speech assessment and after listening to what he said, he definitely said black people.

    January 5, 2012 12:45 pm at 12:45 pm |
  275. EdSantaFe

    This is the same jerk who blamed abortions for the smaller workforce paying into Social Security.

    January 5, 2012 12:47 pm at 12:47 pm |
  276. df1chicago

    aaaaah, ricky boy... don't you know the first rule in making friends and influencing people is not to offend an entire swath of the population which you wish you could be the fearless leader for????

    January 5, 2012 12:50 pm at 12:50 pm |
  277. Mrs. Davis

    Exhibit A of why black people vote Democratic. Repubs want to blame everything bad about the economy on us. Reminds one historically of another group of people who wanted to blame bad times on the "other' people.

    January 5, 2012 12:50 pm at 12:50 pm |
  278. What's My Line?

    True, the word is politically incorrect. What's more important, is his integrity, or lack of it. He played it several times and can't determine whether he said it or not? You said it, admit and move on. It's beyond me how politicians continue to fabricate and downright lie with a straight face..... Rather than run for politics, they should attempt to resurrect "What's My Line" for they all would be finalists.

    January 5, 2012 12:51 pm at 12:51 pm |
  279. jerry

    His black remark is as clear as a bell ringing in my ear. Doesn't matter to me because I wouldn't vote for a Republican if they had a gun to my head.

    January 5, 2012 12:53 pm at 12:53 pm |
  280. jvollman

    If you listen closely, you can clearly hear that what he said was, "I don't want to make a lot of people's lives better by giving them someone else's money..."

    January 5, 2012 12:53 pm at 12:53 pm |
  281. NAACP

    I like Jealous's stat about the majority of welfare recipients in Iowa being white. I bet the majority of people on welfare in Colorado are white too. How about the majority across all 50 states?

    January 5, 2012 12:55 pm at 12:55 pm |
  282. GaryB

    The fact is although there is a disproportionate amount of African Americans on welfare, in terms of sheer numbers, most welfare recipients are white, with a very large number of them coming from red states (and that's not even counting corporate farm subsidies and government handouts to already profitable corporations). I think that Santorum realizes that in today's GOP, there's nothing to be lost by hanging our economic problems on one minority or another. Santorum, like many republicans, has never had a problem with Federal handouts (check out his earmark record in congress), as long as the money is going to people like him.

    January 5, 2012 12:55 pm at 12:55 pm |
  283. Karla

    OH NO HE DIDN'T! Let me tell you peeps something about Mr. Santorum. I am a resident of Pennsylvania. This man is not in the "black" community EVER! He is lying big time! I have lived here my entire life and never seen him in Philadelphia. He hangs only with the white men in the "Republican" part of the state. He is ONLY into Rich, White men becoming richer. And he will govern that way, too. Woman, minorities, and the poor are his targets. Dictator would be too good of a word for him. He wants to rule as a "christian" republican but does not know the meaning. Women are his biggest target. I'm very excited that if Rick actually wins the repub nomination, OBAMA will definitely get his second term. Hands down!

    January 5, 2012 12:56 pm at 12:56 pm |
  284. Terry Gloege

    Slack people, Wack people, Sack people, Mack people, Tack people, Black people. Yup, it's obviouly just a slip of the old twisted tongue. Many of my tack people friends are on welfare.

    January 5, 2012 12:56 pm at 12:56 pm |
  285. Philly Rich

    Everyone needs to calm down and truly listen to his diction. The dude never said "black people's lives", he wanted to say "people's lives", he stumbled on the P and came out with what sounds like "bli", then caught himself and said "people's lives" immediately afterwards. He's got an issue with his upper lip and teeth as it is. Just watch him talk in general. I cant stand the dude but we need to be intellectually honest with our criticism.

    January 5, 2012 12:57 pm at 12:57 pm |
  286. Stephen in VA

    At least the GOP crowd is entertaining as all hell.

    January 5, 2012 12:58 pm at 12:58 pm |
  287. Angimomma

    I watched it three times. No doubt about it...he said BLACK.

    January 5, 2012 01:00 pm at 1:00 pm |
  288. Church of Suicidal

    Can you imagine him saying this to a crowd of African Americans? Nope. I can't imagine Frothy Rick speaking to African Americans in the first place.

    January 5, 2012 01:01 pm at 1:01 pm |
  289. chris

    He said it clearly, "black people." Man up and be accountable to you deliberate deed. You cold hearted republican!

    January 5, 2012 01:01 pm at 1:01 pm |
  290. Canopy

    What is Iowa like 90% white? He knew what he was saying.

    January 5, 2012 01:02 pm at 1:02 pm |
  291. kman821

    The downside ... he lost the Black vote which he never had ... the upside ... he gained the racist vote which he already had. It can't just slip out of you mouth when you're "tongue-tied" if the perception wasn't already in his warped mind.

    January 5, 2012 01:02 pm at 1:02 pm |
  292. judith

    It's interesting that Santorum is all in favor of giving "welfare" to corporations in terms of slashing their tax liability, but is opposed to be badly needed help for Americans living in poverty. Some Christian this guy is–did he totally miss the Gospel message about helping "the least among us." More of the same GOP Gospel of helping the filthy rich and further expanding the gap between the top 1 percent and everyone else.

    January 5, 2012 01:04 pm at 1:04 pm |
  293. McCain

    Why is working with AA discussed as if its a chore?

    January 5, 2012 01:04 pm at 1:04 pm |
  294. mikeD

    Republicans are bigots until they prove otherwise. No surprises here.

    January 5, 2012 01:05 pm at 1:05 pm |
  295. V in Chicago

    He definetly said "black". He can try and spin it any way he wants, but he definetly said the word "black". I would have so much more respect for him if he admitted his words and then apologized for them – but only if he truly was sorry. The fact that he is denying it only makes me believe that he meant what he said, but now realizes how biggoted and racist it was and it trying to distance himself from it by trying to spin it to say he didn't use the word and EVERYONE ELSE who heard it is wrong – just reeks with arrogance. He just lost any points he had from me. Definetly not the person he put himself out there as and definetly NOT the person who should be in the White House!

    January 5, 2012 01:05 pm at 1:05 pm |
  296. unretired05

    It's just as possible that Sanitarium as that I would mistype.

    January 5, 2012 01:06 pm at 1:06 pm |
  297. happynurse

    just proves what a fool he is....this guy couldnt even get re elected in his home state...i wonder why

    January 5, 2012 01:08 pm at 1:08 pm |
  298. nowukno

    i did not say black.......I WOULD NEVER SAY THAT OUT LOUD...! google TIME MAGAZINE: WELFARE:THE WHITE SECRET.....then get a grip.....!

    January 5, 2012 01:08 pm at 1:08 pm |
  299. Jorge UU Boosh

    What's REALLY ironic is that many more whites are on welfare than blacks... As a PERCENTAGE, yes... but not by total numbers,

    What a DOFUS.

    January 5, 2012 01:08 pm at 1:08 pm |
  300. BRYAN

    I'm by no means a conservative or fan of Santorum, but I honestly do think it sounded like he accidentally combined the words "people" and "lives" so it came out as "plive". Who knows, that's just what I heard.

    January 5, 2012 01:08 pm at 1:08 pm |
  301. LHandRBrain

    You are all very opportunistic. Ideologues on the entire right/left spectrum are squirmy, ugly self serving people that don't believe that integrity can win the day anymore, so they use nefarious "gotcha" techniques to bring their enemies, and turn nothing into something. Name me a hero that you look up to, that would attack a man for obviously mincing his words? You think Gandhi would do this? How about Jesus? How about Nelson Mandela? How about Ayn Rand? Or Noam Chomsky? Grow a spine already.

    January 5, 2012 01:09 pm at 1:09 pm |
  302. OldRightRep

    These are the kinds of racial "slip ups" that point to a politician who is truly racist. Though I don't expect the media to bring this up anywhere near as often as the accusations against Ron Paul, who by the way has NEVER "slipped up" or said anything racist or bigoted in 40 years of giving speeches.

    Then again, Ron Paul is truly challenging the status quo, where Mr. Frothy is just another Big-Government RINO bigoted warmongering chicken-hawk which the media much prefers.

    January 5, 2012 01:10 pm at 1:10 pm |
  303. adam

    Watch & decide 4 yourself? i watched, i decided, yes he did say black and he was not mumbling. He said after a pause.

    January 5, 2012 01:12 pm at 1:12 pm |
  304. McBara

    What ever happened to separation of church and state? Citing Catholic and Christian doctrine seems rather in opposition to one's constitutional right to freedom of religion...or a lack thereof.

    January 5, 2012 01:12 pm at 1:12 pm |
  305. emma

    Santorum said "black". I listened to it several times. That's too bad because I thought a presidential candidate was suppose to be concerned with ALL the people of the USA. He is making the assumption that only black people are on welfare. What a slap in the face to all the hard working black people that work hard for their money and refuse to accept welfare. Conservative, I don't think so. He sounds a little prejudice. No thanks, he doesn't have my vote. I'll give it to Romney instead.

    January 5, 2012 01:13 pm at 1:13 pm |
  306. Alison

    Oh he most definitely said "black". He can try to backpedal out of this one but it won't work. Can he just end his campaign already? Between that and the homosexual remarks from 2003, and him basically ripping off a local Pittsburgh school district of charter school tuition, as well as many MANY other ridiculous things, as a Pennsylvanian, I don't want him anywhere near the White House.

    January 5, 2012 01:14 pm at 1:14 pm |
  307. Anonymous

    Yes, because there are no white people on welfare in this country? Have you the trailer parks that saturate rural communities?

    January 5, 2012 01:14 pm at 1:14 pm |
  308. nicole harding

    Why would CNN even include that it "could be a stumble"........... he said black...end of story! This guy not only thinks I am lazy, non working welfare recipient...he thinks I am deaf as well! Kick rocks!

    January 5, 2012 01:15 pm at 1:15 pm |
  309. CTSadler

    Santorum, Romney, and Paul... Man is the GOP in trouble.

    January 5, 2012 01:16 pm at 1:16 pm |
  310. brianyg

    As a bi-racial; black or african american (if you must) person... who cares if he said black or african american... the fact that he has the gall to suggest that the majority of blacks in this country are subsisting on government handouts is the real issue. It is a flat out lie. The Blacks (and Latins and Asians)that I know have degrees, aspirations and are quite industrious... including myself. It is an absolute LIE that the black population of the USA is living on government assistance. Do you have any idea how many newly arriving Russian immigrants are receiving assistance from the US government? Get your facts straight... and white america, believe none of what you hear and half of what you see.

    January 5, 2012 01:19 pm at 1:19 pm |
  311. sosofresh

    the reason he mumbled is because he realized that he was in the middle of saying something that was going to be poorly received. In terms of political damage, he really doesn't need to apologize that much... stereotypically speaking, no black people would ever vote for him anyway and the white people who are likely to vote for him are probably not ultra-sensitive to this kind of thing.

    January 5, 2012 01:20 pm at 1:20 pm |
  312. Carmen

    I think Santorum is an evangelical tool with no knowledge of the purpose of the office of the President. I listened to the video, and he didn't say "black" people, although that is certainly what it sounds like he says. He said, "I don't want to make mm...live... people's lives better..." It was, as he said, a tounge-tied moment. Now, can we get back to talking about what a tool he is?

    January 5, 2012 01:20 pm at 1:20 pm |
  313. SGT RAYRAY

    This is funny…. When people are tongue tied they usually say the first thing that comes to mind, in his case it was black people, which is probably his true sentiment. He could have just said people in general and not single out a specific group. On top of that, he is speaking in Iowa, where you can probably go and visit for 2 days and meet all the black people in the state. If you’re going to run for office make sure you are well aware that you are running for a post that not only represents white America but all the races that compose the true America, this is all of us not a specific group, race or ethnicity.

    January 5, 2012 01:22 pm at 1:22 pm |
  314. Jahmonkey

    He clearly said black...watch the black sound man in the background when Rick made the comment. He's like "WTF did he say?" And again when the people were clapping right after Rick made the black comment the sound man looks like he is at a Klan rally. Funny but crazy stuff.

    January 5, 2012 01:22 pm at 1:22 pm |
  315. Sniffit

    "Why would CNN even include that it "could be a stumble""

    MSM False Equivalency Axiom #5: Nothing is allowed to be as damaging as it should be.

    January 5, 2012 01:24 pm at 1:24 pm |
  316. Pete

    Yeah, when I get tongue tied I just start spewing a bunch of racist remarks too. Happens to the best of us. And Rick Santorum too, apparently.

    January 5, 2012 01:24 pm at 1:24 pm |
  317. Julie

    Its pretty CLEAR he said BLACK... Nice try to try and defend it but its clear.

    January 5, 2012 01:24 pm at 1:24 pm |
  318. DDanny1

    My wife's deaf aunt is in her late 30's. She became deaf when she was 12 as the result of a head injury received in an automobile accident. She has about 10% hearing in one ear. Since she could hear normally when she was young, her lip reading skills are incredible. I sent the link for the story to her and asked what Santorum was saying. She just texted me. "Oh yeah. He said black."
    By the way, she votes straight line GOP, and she's leaning Santorum since Bachmann quit.

    January 5, 2012 01:25 pm at 1:25 pm |
  319. gotcha

    Yes, he definitely said "black" very clearly, no stumbling. That slip gives Romney the nomination. Santorum has slipped up more than once on referring to "blacks" as freeloaders. What he fails to see is government hand outs go to rich and poor alike. Ru ro.

    January 5, 2012 01:25 pm at 1:25 pm |
  320. Krow

    Haters gotta hate. But racism IS a natural pairing with his anti-gay routine. It's like red wine with lasagna. Duh !!!

    January 5, 2012 01:31 pm at 1:31 pm |
  321. AMERICAN EXPAT

    Well, he didn't stutter when he claimed they HAD found those WMDs in Iraq, did he? His credibility is at ground zero!

    January 5, 2012 01:31 pm at 1:31 pm |
  322. simp

    When are these white people going to understand, there would be no welfare if the majority on it are nonwhite, it exist simply because the majority on welfare are WHITE!! Sangtorium said exactly what he was thinking and what he thinks is true.

    January 5, 2012 01:32 pm at 1:32 pm |
  323. Palantir

    I despise Santorum every minute of the day.

    But the word "black" isnt in the video clip unless you put it there. He clearly says "lives" twice.

    January 5, 2012 01:32 pm at 1:32 pm |
  324. josephine

    If he thinks a particular group of people are abusing the welfare system and instead wants to get them back to work, so what's wrong with that??? I think his alternative idea is a very positive one. Besides having a positive idea he is not one with all these negative and nasty ads.

    January 5, 2012 01:34 pm at 1:34 pm |
  325. Claudia St. James

    He said what is in his heart and on his mind. He is racist and it should now be loud and clear to everyone.

    January 5, 2012 01:34 pm at 1:34 pm |
  326. JimAR

    He stumbled on the word because he wasn't initially thinking "black." We'll never know what his first name for black people is. But, he clearly hesitates and then confidently says "black." Someone needs to tell him that most welfare recipients are white.

    January 5, 2012 01:35 pm at 1:35 pm |
  327. Randy

    Yeah, he didn't say "black." He said "plives." I think Santorum is the devil, but it's simply not possible for any fair, sane person to think he said "black." The claim that he said "black" is such a transparent attempt to attack him the day after people learned his name, all it can do in the long run is make him look like a victim. Please let the issue die.

    January 5, 2012 01:36 pm at 1:36 pm |
  328. bk753

    Look, I don't like Santorum at all... but I don't think he said "black." Listen carefully. Sounds like he starts to say "lives" and then stumbles over to "people's lives."

    January 5, 2012 01:36 pm at 1:36 pm |
  329. informed voter

    I listened to the tape several times. Santorum did not stumble on his words, he said "black people." For those of you who think this is about political correctness, you miss the point. It's not the term "black" that is offensive, it is his belief that "blacks" are the lazy ones on welfare. If you don't get what's offensive about this, you are probably a racist bigot, who agrees with this frothy man's opinion.

    January 5, 2012 01:37 pm at 1:37 pm |
  330. Bib

    Oops, sounds like his mouth raced ahead of his mind. Sorry about that, chief.

    January 5, 2012 01:37 pm at 1:37 pm |
  331. Cammie

    How about the visible reaction on the black man and the ONLY BLACK PERSON standing next to Santorum when he made his "black" not blugh, not blue, not blank, not blink comment. All the audience clapped and shouted yeah. So let him make that comment in front of a room full of blacks and lets see how well he "catches" himself again!

    Better yet, lets have one of the CNN anchors track down this black man and interview him to report first hand what he heard standing right next to him.

    Lets also do an analysis of whites on corporate, farm & oil subsidy/welfare vs. blacks on welfare.

    January 5, 2012 01:39 pm at 1:39 pm |
  332. Sir Andrew

    Paging Dr Freud.

    January 5, 2012 01:39 pm at 1:39 pm |
  333. pishaw

    So the entire paragraph was a misstatement? Rick, just because you're not very bright, doesn't mean we are ALL not very bright.

    This is what I can't stand about trash: if you hate someone, go ahead and say it. Own it. That's what a man would do. But Ricky denies it happened. Is he trying to be Newt light, thinking he can just say anything, no matter how stupid it is?

    Ricky seems like everyone else that wears Jesus on his sleeve: entirely, thoroughly, and completely dishonest.

    January 5, 2012 01:40 pm at 1:40 pm |
  334. Jan P

    Tongue-tied, stumbled, or not – still sounds a lot like Carl-Henric Svanberg when he said that "BP cares about the small people." At least Carl could plead that English wasn't his primary language.

    January 5, 2012 01:40 pm at 1:40 pm |
  335. Sniffit

    Pretty simple calculus here since this is primary season:

    1. GOP/Teatroll base LOVES that he quite clearly and unmistakeably said "black."

    2. Guess whose vote he's never getting anyway?

    3. MSM won't pillory him for it anyway like he deserves...nor will it report the facts showing that his "mistake" is based on an incorrect, but intentionally promulgated, underlying misconception, particularly prevalent among conservative voters but fairly widespread anyway, that minorities receive the lion's share of social assistance.

    January 5, 2012 01:40 pm at 1:40 pm |
  336. WhereIsPalin

    The man came out of nowhere to score big in the Iowa caucuses.........sorry but that was a roundtrip ticket.

    January 5, 2012 01:40 pm at 1:40 pm |
  337. Tom

    Guess we know who was Ron Paul's ghost writer , now.

    January 5, 2012 01:42 pm at 1:42 pm |
  338. cj

    "tongue-tied"??? or tongue-lied?

    January 5, 2012 01:42 pm at 1:42 pm |
  339. Kathy

    Yea, we know santorum, we ran him out of Pennsylvania once he showed his true colors.

    January 5, 2012 01:42 pm at 1:42 pm |
  340. NoOneInThatAudience

    Watch the expression on the face of the gentleman standing behind Santorum holding the mic and wearing headphones when no one heard him say "black".

    January 5, 2012 01:43 pm at 1:43 pm |
  341. Raoul

    Hey, I thought Santorum didn't want to give tax payer money to black people! What's with the black colleges?????

    January 5, 2012 01:43 pm at 1:43 pm |
  342. JuanVonDinklus

    Gotta love these bigots running for office – hey I can say that because as someone else commented, I just call it as I see it! (sarcasm in the previous statement that most will not get).

    January 5, 2012 01:44 pm at 1:44 pm |
  343. Expat American

    Uum…Rick, you already had the Caucasian bigot vote; the Caucasian redneck vote; the Caucasian Slack Jaw Vote; and the Caucasian racist vote.
    What you are actually trying to do is garner the minority vote and the ‘other’ Caucasian vote – that is those Caucasians not included in the above-mentioned groups.
    Oh Shucks, you better start waving a Bible around or something to get yourself out of this mess.

    January 5, 2012 01:45 pm at 1:45 pm |
  344. Butter My Butt And Call Me a Biscuit

    Liberals are ALWAYS one step ahead and way over the next hill in front of the Teapublicons. Progressives are ...well...progressive, and the opposite of Progressive is REgressive and that says it all. Progressive Liberals are just smarter than the REgressives ... end of story which is proven in spades by this story and Santorum's unfortunate "Google" problem.

    January 5, 2012 01:46 pm at 1:46 pm |
  345. canuck

    He stumbled on the word "lives" I believe.

    January 5, 2012 01:48 pm at 1:48 pm |
  346. mark

    His major problem is the fact that he absolutely did say "black". Stand by it and explain that instead of just letting us know that you're a liar.

    January 5, 2012 01:48 pm at 1:48 pm |
  347. kjfuller7

    Folks, I truly detest Rick Santorum and can't believe that I am defending him here, but he did NOT say "black". Turn up the volume, close your eyes and listen a couple times and you will hear him say "LIVES" but then restart and say "people's lives". So many people just sit around waiting to be offended...

    January 5, 2012 01:49 pm at 1:49 pm |
  348. Dale

    He didn't mean to say Black. He meant to the use the republican approved word for people of color, "macacca."

    January 5, 2012 01:49 pm at 1:49 pm |
  349. cathy

    A group of us put a sound check on it and he said "Black" people lives. He is boring and a nowhere guy. He doesn't have a clue on how to lead. He's 15 min of fame is up. Go Home Rick!

    January 5, 2012 01:50 pm at 1:50 pm |
  350. Bryan

    Rick at Home: "whew honey, I almost said ni**ers and at the last minute, I uttered black". Mrs. Santorum: "don't worry about it baby, a new Real Housewives of Atlanta is coming on on Sunday, the Blacks will forget about this by Monday".

    January 5, 2012 01:50 pm at 1:50 pm |
  351. Stephan

    I listened VERY carefully to this segment from a newscast and one would have to be deaf to have not heard "black." I'm an English as a Second Language (ESL) instructor and am very aware of pronunciation. He said "black." B-l-a-c-k, in comprehensible English. It's obvious he equates poor with black. He didn't say "poor people." He said "black." There you have it–the GOP in all its latent and overt racist glory.

    January 5, 2012 01:50 pm at 1:50 pm |
  352. indyreader

    This is mildly dumb, but only mildly. There are SOOOOO many other things Rick has clearly and repeatedly said that are much stupider than this. Please, people, dig around for his utterances on birth control, Dominionism, etc. The guy is a loon, and just not very bright. Fortunately, it took him the effort of sliming up every county in Iowa to pull to within a statistical tie with Romney, and Iowa is a lot more friendly to theocratic fascists than the east and west coasts. He really has no hope in a national election.

    January 5, 2012 01:51 pm at 1:51 pm |
  353. Casey

    I make those kind of speech mistakes all the time. I don't really think that he's racist, and I think the NAACP is over-reacting to a stumble in speech. Obviously, no politician would purposefully say that even to a crowd of republicans.

    January 5, 2012 01:54 pm at 1:54 pm |
  354. Brian

    I don't agree with a thing that comes out of Santorum's mouth. However, I have listened to the tape a dozen times, and it sure sounds, to me, like 'blank' or perhaps ' bline'. And if one does listen to the whole tape, he makes quite a few other similar stuttering errors. This would be no different, except that the hiccup sounded like the word black, and was set in a context that politically correct people don't like. So while I do not want him as President – or even in his current position – I have to say that I do not believe that he said the word black.

    January 5, 2012 01:54 pm at 1:54 pm |
  355. Frothy Mixture

    Shhhh!! Let's not make to big a deal out of this until after the primary. Let the wackos on the right give him the nod, THEN we will hang him by his own stupidity. OK? OK.

    January 5, 2012 01:54 pm at 1:54 pm |
  356. Heather

    I am in NO WAY a fan of Rick Santorum. I am a HUGE proponent of equality in all forms. That said, I listened to the tape and he very clearly DID NOT say "black". He stubled over the word "Lives" (pronounced with a long I sound) – he started to say "I dont want to make lives better..." and in the middle of the thought, decided he wanted to say "people's lives better..." and it actually came out sounding like "ply", not "black". This is a non-issue.

    January 5, 2012 01:55 pm at 1:55 pm |
  357. Max Powers

    I can't stand this guy, but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt on this one. It doesn't seem that he's trying to say black. A "Freudian" slip perhaps, but sounded more like what he described. He was going to say one word, then said another instead. That said, please don't vote for this moron. Just because he didn't say something racist this time doesn't mean he doesn't suck.

    January 5, 2012 01:55 pm at 1:55 pm |
  358. Charlie from the North

    He meant to say "them people". I am sure he didn't mean to make anyone mad at him. I hope he does not lose based on that remark. I hope he loses on the basis that his world outlook is about two centuries behind the times. Remember Bill Clinton's "Bridge to the 21st century"? Well these clowns on the GOP side want to build a tunnel to the 19th century. You know back before the last great Republican President, Teddy Roosevelt busted up the trusts, before the 40 hour work week, before worker safety, before women could vote, and it seems like some of them want to go back to before the first great Republican President freed the slaves. Wake up America how about we "Occupy the voting booth"

    January 5, 2012 01:56 pm at 1:56 pm |
  359. Nathan

    You are what you think, Rick....a racist pig in far religious family values. You'll never be president of this USA.

    January 5, 2012 01:56 pm at 1:56 pm |
  360. sofunny

    Santarium is racist, just like the rest of Republican rich, assume that black people, hispanic people are on welfare. Wrong 70% white are on welfare across the US. Santarium should go to confess his sins with Father Chester in PA.

    January 5, 2012 02:00 pm at 2:00 pm |
  361. Anonymous

    bfd what he said is correct. Its better to earn your own money then taking someone elses.

    January 5, 2012 02:02 pm at 2:02 pm |
  362. Janet

    Interesting. He is against helping those who are less fortunate, but believes that all states have the right to ban all forms of contraception. Kind of skewed logic don't you think. The guy is a disaster.

    January 5, 2012 02:05 pm at 2:05 pm |
  363. R. Glenn

    Who cares whether he called them black or African American or one of the five other terms they prefer to be called depending on the individual. What matters is his perspective on welfare and whether or not he really cares about these individuals. Calling someone by a common term doesn't mean anything about how you care about them, whether good or bad. The terminology does not reflect the concern or care. Stop being soooo PC. I once was signed up to receive emails from the NAACP until it became very clear how racist they were. There not about caring, but about using anothers grief for gain.

    January 5, 2012 02:05 pm at 2:05 pm |
  364. telitlikeitis

    This is why people like this man and other Republicans cannot be elected for president. It is too bad that people like him have never been in a diverse environment. Santorum spews such venom from his lips, which itself causes hate and separation. He forgets that if he were elected president, it would be for ALL of America. He still has his Grandfather's belief that this is our (people who look like them only) country. The remark of any one saying "take back our country"? It has never been yours to take back, remember there were already Native Americans and others here (including Mexican and Blacks) before your ancestors ever set foot through Ellis Island???? The average Black American cannot say I'm second, third or fourth generation because they have been here so long. Now, who's more American I ask? I am so sick of Republicans fighting for their freedom, freedom of what? It is really too bad that an American citizen is still being judged by their ethnicity and skin color rather than what they really have to offer. I really hate it when people like Rick Santorum are given a platform to spew this type of ignorance and division. However, in reality, most of America really knows better. This is why his own state didn't elect him back as a senator - he still doesn't get it. By the way, Rick, in your explanation of taking the dead body of a child home, please refer to the Bible and what it says about respecting and handling the bodies of the dead. You can spin it how you like, but there is something not right about what you did.

    January 5, 2012 02:07 pm at 2:07 pm |
  365. Seattleite

    He most certainly did NOT say "black". He was speaking fast, and almost said "lives" before "peoples" – sounds like "blive".

    At least bash him on stuff that actually matters. Sheesh.

    January 5, 2012 02:07 pm at 2:07 pm |
  366. Reggie from LA

    It need to be said. Thank goodness Mr Santorum brought it up.
    Let's disregard the word and more to the concept. When many people think or make reference to welfare, visions of African Americans dance in their heads. Especially since the Reagan years and the "blacks/welfare and cadillacs" references. So is welfare then, a reference to African Americans as opposed to a class of underpriviledged people.
    Is saying get rid of welfare a way of saying "get rid of blacks" and their government money purchased Cadillacs? The majority of African Americans as well as white counterparts are wage earners.who don't need to be "encouraged or enlightened" to go to work. THEY JUST DO, Mr Santorum. By the way, you can't AFFORD a good Cadillac on welfare $$.

    January 5, 2012 02:07 pm at 2:07 pm |
  367. Frank

    What? Rick Santorum is a hateful ultra-conservative homophobic racist? I had no idea! :D

    January 5, 2012 02:07 pm at 2:07 pm |
  368. marty

    Another example of Rick Santorum's finagling and why Pennsylvanians threw him out of office. Rick was upset with a recent comment re: his own family, by Fox commentator Alan Colmes. He felt that it was an intrusion on his private life. That's a 180 degree turn from Santorum's activity during the Terri Schiavo case, a classic case of intrusion. So, which is it, to intrude or not to intrude...that is the question? Will the real Rick Santorum please stand up?

    January 5, 2012 02:08 pm at 2:08 pm |
  369. ingyandbert

    I heard the clip on television last night and I couldn't believe my ears when Santorum said "black people." That was before I knew what the controversy was about. If it was that evident to me that he said "black people" then it should be just as evident to him. Instead of digging the hole deeper, he needs to pull his foot out of his mouth and apologize for his insensitivity. Once again, it's not the crime but the cover-up...

    January 5, 2012 02:09 pm at 2:09 pm |
  370. spadyx

    Yeah, I heard "black" too. But of course, we were all listening for the word 'black". Maybe some of us even WANTED it to be "black". Sure, the guy's a knucklehead. And don't worry, he'll put his foot in his mouth again before this whole thing is over (which can't come too soon for me!).

    January 5, 2012 02:09 pm at 2:09 pm |
  371. Taioseach

    He made that statement in a state were 89% of aid recipients are Caucasian.

    Besides, the video is on youtube. Watch it and decide for yourself. Fairly obvious and straightforward he used the word "black" not "blah."

    January 5, 2012 02:11 pm at 2:11 pm |
  372. ReallY!!?

    Unlike Obama who deliberately sterotyped middle America as "clinging to their guns and bible". Or deliberately sat in a church for 20yrs while his anti-semite, racist mentor/pastor spew his hate rhetoric against white and jews. You all had no problem with those deliberate acts of Obama. But lets put words in someone's mouth when he never said it to fit the false narrative that Republicans are racist! Get a freaking clue idiots!

    I saw the tape he did not say black. This is nonsense!!

    January 5, 2012 02:12 pm at 2:12 pm |
  373. Skitownrefugee

    I haven't read the comments but I did see the video and listened closely several times and it's completely clear that he said "black people's lives" – completely clear and now the jerk is denying it. If it was a froidian slip – that would have been bad enough (saying what he was unconciously thinking) – yes bad enough but then to deny it? Where this this crop of republicans come from. You can't find one in the bunch who's even worthy of being president except maybe Huntsman who is as exciting as a pay toilet in a diahreah ward. (Sorry about the spelling – I don't have time today to check it.)

    January 5, 2012 02:13 pm at 2:13 pm |
  374. dduncan

    Dude is busted. He caught himself about 80% into the word 'black', and tried to pull out by emphasizing 'back'. There is a nano second skip thing going on during the word black, but the dude said 'black people'. What a buffoon.

    January 5, 2012 02:14 pm at 2:14 pm |
  375. Bill

    That's the GOP conservative values coming out

    January 5, 2012 02:15 pm at 2:15 pm |
  376. The Other Michael in Houston

    Wow Rick, all you need now is your hood and burning cross and the picture will be complete. Funny, some are trying to defend him, heck, some of you even think what he said was true. For those who think blacks live off the government, well put it this way, I am pretty sure I make more money than most of your make in a years salary, I would be safe to say that the lowest earner in my entire family still nets what most of you gross in a year, most of my family have master degree's and above, and most of our friends are highly educated and earn a great amount of money, and we are all black. And you wonder why only Uncle Tom's support the Republican party. I cant wait to get this over with in Novemeber so I can go through another 4 years of President Obama is the worst president ever because he hair cut is too neat so he must be an elitist.

    January 5, 2012 02:15 pm at 2:15 pm |
  377. Michael Kansas City

    Okay, since BLACK is now a bad word, I want to be called a German-English-IIrish-Indian American instead of White. Come on people, I agree that singling out a race as the 'poor' is the real issue here – and he's a bonified gay-hater for sure, but really, don't be surprised – he's a self-confessed devout Catholic. That's the dogma, no surprise.

    Black White Grey, other...unless you were born in another country and came here, then became a citizen, you are an American. WHY continue to divide us – United we are strong.

    January 5, 2012 02:16 pm at 2:16 pm |
  378. runswithbeer

    The offensive part is not his exact wording, it's the words he was fumbling for, not "Black People" but (figger it out). Republicans AWAYS thinks in terms of RACE and HALF of the ones I know use the BIG "N" WORD on a daily basis here in Texas. (I should note that most of the exceptions live in Travis County) It's funny how the Republicans here don't think in terms of race. Rick you really need to reevaluate your position and I would suggest some reading material starting with the DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. Where the founding fathers thought it important that ALL PERSONS ARE CREATED EQUAL AND GRANTED RIGHTS BY THEIR CREATOR.

    January 5, 2012 02:17 pm at 2:17 pm |
  379. Angy

    he meant what he said. Why does he feel it is only African-American & Hispanic people on welfare? He needs to do his homework. Typical racist rethug. this man is suppose to be a christian? Right! his kind always want to put people down. And yes the 1st thing they want to do after making such comments is talk about how much they have done for civil rights. I'm sick of it. he is a RACIST.

    January 5, 2012 02:18 pm at 2:18 pm |
  380. Jan Alden Cornish

    I replayed the clip in question several times and what I am hearing him say is are two words mingled "BL...ALOT OF PEOPLE".

    January 5, 2012 02:19 pm at 2:19 pm |
  381. Nickzabad

    Just wondering, even if it was black people that were the only ones on medicaid and food stamps(which is just completely untrue), why would you deny them that? Without it they would die, I am sure you could save the 20$ a month it might cost you to help save lives. And it's probably less per capita.

    January 5, 2012 02:20 pm at 2:20 pm |
  382. Duke One

    Santorum is NOT a fiscal conservative !

    January 5, 2012 02:21 pm at 2:21 pm |
  383. Silly Baggers!

    Silly @Nancy. It's not about being PC. It is about being factual. I bet if you were shown the statistics of how many white people are on welfare you would still be in denial.

    January 5, 2012 02:22 pm at 2:22 pm |
  384. Rudy NYC

    The most significant part of the remark is the question to which Santorum was responding. He was asked a question about the impact of foreign economics on the US economy. Santorum responded to it by deriding entitlements.

    January 5, 2012 02:23 pm at 2:23 pm |
  385. Angy

    i listened several times and in addition he feels African-Americans are only qualified manufacturing jobs. Nothing wrong with those type of jobs, but he couldn't even mention higher education potential "black" have. he is a joke.

    January 5, 2012 02:27 pm at 2:27 pm |
  386. Expat American

    At the end of the day many White Republican Conservative 'Christians' are still going to vote for him....and for these voters; Santorum's 'tongue-tied' moment only strengthened their support for him.

    January 5, 2012 02:28 pm at 2:28 pm |
  387. Rudy NYC

    Tounge-tied he claims, then tounge-tied he is.
    I gess that he would choke on his own name.

    January 5, 2012 02:28 pm at 2:28 pm |
  388. chip

    I think Santorum's a big government, war mongering, crony capitalist, but I don't think he said or even started to say "black."

    January 5, 2012 02:29 pm at 2:29 pm |
  389. JC in SC

    I am a Democrat. I don't like Rick Santorum. I hate prejudicial and racist remarks. But he DID NOT say black!

    January 5, 2012 02:29 pm at 2:29 pm |
  390. Frank Chase Jr

    Santorum needs to be committed to a Sanatorium. His statment is an outrage. He can defend his racism all he wants, but this radical should not be in the whitehouse. I'm African-American and and Sanatorium needs to be repuiated by all the other so-called presidential candidates. Don't let this guy get away with this. He has malice in his heart and soul. CNN don't be a coward, call him out on this, make him explain who are the black people he's talking about. If this man gets into the whitehouse, it will be a sad and dangerous time for people of color in America. This guy is a Nazi.

    January 5, 2012 02:30 pm at 2:30 pm |
  391. GROVER NORQUIST IS A ENEMY OF THE STATE

    I recall Trump referring to us as "the blacks." Listen! I don't know what day in age these people are living in, but this ain't the 60's and we are NOT our parents and grandparents. Come out your mouth the wrong way and your likely to get dealt with. There will always be racial tension in this country. But that's the veil thats been put over your eyes to divide us. There real battle in this country is income inequality. The rich versus the poor. And the rich have won that fight and continue to stomp their Florsheim hardbottom penny loafers on our necks.

    January 5, 2012 02:31 pm at 2:31 pm |
  392. Maja in NJ

    What I heard him say was, "I don't want to make a lot of people's lives better by giving them money..." He didn't say black.

    January 5, 2012 02:32 pm at 2:32 pm |
  393. noteabags

    You said what you were thinking, Rick. Stopy denying it.

    January 5, 2012 02:32 pm at 2:32 pm |
  394. Bee

    Whatever he said, it's a drop in the bucket. Anyone who wants creationism taught in the public schools is not fit to be President of the United States.

    January 5, 2012 02:33 pm at 2:33 pm |
  395. matrix09

    Come on, how stupid does this guy think we are? Even if I were deaf enough to belive his tounge tied nonsense, the context of what follows makes it pretty clear what he said and meant. I think that what I resent most about all of this is not just the obvious blatant bigotry, but the stupid excuses they give for it. Santorum, your right wing stooges may be that stupid but the rest of us aren't.

    January 5, 2012 02:33 pm at 2:33 pm |
  396. Ronincalif

    Conceptually he is right. We need to get ALL people off the dole as much as possible. Able bodied People of all races who need a hand should get it for a limited amount of time. Sadly, there are those who for several generations ahve not been productive and have become welfare dependent.

    January 5, 2012 02:35 pm at 2:35 pm |
  397. Inrealityhere

    If you want the truth about Santorum ( and it appears by the comments many of you don't ) just look at his record. He has done more to help the black community more than any other of the politicians. Help, I said, not hinder just to get their vote.

    January 5, 2012 02:36 pm at 2:36 pm |
  398. lexgreen

    Oh, I see, he was tongue tied, what really meant was maybe:

    "back people", or "Barak people", or "crack people".... something like that.

    January 5, 2012 02:36 pm at 2:36 pm |
  399. Matt

    The black camera guy behind him heard it!

    January 5, 2012 02:38 pm at 2:38 pm |
  400. Robert - Atlanta

    All republicans are in denial on every subject; if they ever admitted any rational fact their whole world would crumble – No racism, No evolution, No global climate change, No price gouging oil companies, No overpaid CEOs, No corporate corruption, No fake news on FOX, No war crimes, and on and on! I’m sorry you are so stupid, so gullible, and so easily brainwashed that you have all become ignorant, paranoid, confused and self loathing, angry little dweebs. It is a sad way for anyone to have to live. Too bad rational human beings will only laugh at your desperate attempt to cover for every Moron in the GOP.

    January 5, 2012 02:41 pm at 2:41 pm |
  401. Atul Chaudhary

    To start with, I am not a Santorum supporter. I didn't see him utter those words but even if he said that, media should see his good intentions and his history. I don't think he ever meant any ill of blacks. In fact, he is talking about upliftment of them instead of hand me down approach.

    January 5, 2012 02:43 pm at 2:43 pm |
  402. Mark in CA

    Maybe my post was too long. So I will break into a few short ones. Yes – it does matter what he said – and more so what he meant – BUT – since there is doubt let's take a look at facts that are 100% certain:
    1. Santorum wants all abortion to be illegal without exception – not even for rape or incest.
    2. Santorum wants to forever ban gay marriages – including retroactively dissolving all current ones (that's small government?)
    3. when the husband of the woman Senator Ensign was having an affair with asked Santorum for help (since Santorum is a friend of Ensign) – Ensign helped his friend – not the husband. That is in Congressional Report investigating Ensign. So much for Santorum's family values.

    I am male, straight, married with 2 kids, and Christian. AND I believe in separation of church and state – and I don't like hypocrits. Therefore, I am VERY MUCH against Santorum being President.

    January 5, 2012 02:45 pm at 2:45 pm |
  403. Jon

    It doesn't sound to me like he said "black." It sounds to me like he started to say a word that started with a "b" (which could be "black," but who knows) and then fused it into "lives." You can distinctly hear the "i" sound in "lives" – a sound that is not at all the same as the "a" in "black." I should know...I majored in linguistics in college and this was the sort of thing we had to do in class – pick out what sound something was.

    January 5, 2012 02:46 pm at 2:46 pm |
  404. mcdanp

    Reminds me of Blazing Saddles. 'The sheriff is a ni...."

    January 5, 2012 02:47 pm at 2:47 pm |
  405. lexgreen

    Actually, it sounds like he transposed the words "people" and "lives"

    i.e. "I want to make p-lives..people's lives better..."

    January 5, 2012 02:48 pm at 2:48 pm |
  406. ABC

    I listened to it 5 or 6 times and I don't see how you hear anything but "black people's lives."

    January 5, 2012 02:49 pm at 2:49 pm |
  407. HAHAHAHA

    well-it now doesn't really matter what he meant to say-the fact that he is trying to say he said something else is strange and more telling about his tactics....this guy is no good.

    January 5, 2012 02:49 pm at 2:49 pm |
  408. David

    Watched the Video, Did you see the face of the Camera guy , Black guy when he said black! watch it again!

    January 5, 2012 02:53 pm at 2:53 pm |
  409. Jon

    @lexgreen: That is probably what it is.

    January 5, 2012 02:54 pm at 2:54 pm |
  410. BriSoFla

    HE SAID BLACK. If you didnt hear it, you need a hearing aid.

    January 5, 2012 02:54 pm at 2:54 pm |
  411. Ronald Romney

    Sounded like "Blah". Didn't here the "K" at the end. Sounds like a Fruedian slip tho. This guy is a shlep compared to Romney. If there were no bigotry against Mormons, he would have been annoited long ago.

    FACT: Mitt has more experience for the job of POTUS then Obama did comming in.

    Bama was a virtual unkown, a rising star from one of the most politically corupt states in the union. Blog sold his seat for crying out loud! Lol. If Obama desreved a chance, then surley Mitt does too. Drop the partisonship and religious bigotry for 5 minutes and you will see Mitt has the tools and d rive to restore America. Obama was a novelty, a flavor of the month. Now that we have seen his plethorea of short commings, it's time to give someone else a chance.

    January 5, 2012 02:57 pm at 2:57 pm |
  412. derp

    "Sorry, I did not mean to say blacks. I meant to say nig gers, but I got all tongue tied"

    Rick Santorum

    January 5, 2012 02:58 pm at 2:58 pm |
  413. CHUCK

    This is why I can never vote Republican. Same mistakes over and over. I know lot's of people on walfare and a lot of them do need it, but for this slime ball to target a certain class of people is unacceptable. He was tongue-tied? Probadly not, so that means he said what he meant. Now we all know that he is a typical republican, there is nothing special about him at all, just another talking head who is not smart enough to know he will need all the suuport he can get to win the GOP nomination. Smart guy but at the same time he is dumb has a bag of rocks. So much for getting any of the minority vote.

    January 5, 2012 03:00 pm at 3:00 pm |
  414. Ed

    Why isn't anybody focusing on the fact that what he said is a good principal?

    January 5, 2012 03:01 pm at 3:01 pm |
  415. Johnathan

    Just a freudian "slip", Ooops.

    January 5, 2012 03:05 pm at 3:05 pm |
  416. REG in AZ

    Santorum's, credentials are very weak and, like Cain, Baacmann, Perry, Gingrich and others, he tries to make up for it with hype, including attracting religious zealots, but really offers very little substance and therefore would be scary at best, as president.

    January 5, 2012 03:06 pm at 3:06 pm |
  417. Nat Turner

    Ricky Baby!! Why all the hype? This neck is just saying what a lot of ofays think!

    January 5, 2012 03:10 pm at 3:10 pm |
  418. Hear what you want to hear

    This is ridiculous. He very CLEARLY said "...make (lives) people's lives better..."
    He meant to say "make people's lives better" but started to say "make lives better" and kinda stumbled over it. I don't care who you support, this is sleazy smear attempt.

    January 5, 2012 03:10 pm at 3:10 pm |
  419. Death to Sycophants

    Santorum is toast in NH. We are the most secular state in the nation. A 4th place finish should cool him down.

    January 5, 2012 03:11 pm at 3:11 pm |
  420. BEn275

    He said it.

    January 5, 2012 03:12 pm at 3:12 pm |
  421. ThinkAgain

    If he was indeed tongue-tied, it was still a Freudian slip. It is what Santorum and other conservatives believe: That blacks and other minorities are all either on public assistance or want to be.

    January 5, 2012 03:12 pm at 3:12 pm |
  422. Nat Turner

    Now, all the media will rush to "Uncle" Herman Cain to see if what Ricky said is "okay." And of course, that Shine will see no problem with it. Repubs are just disgusting!

    January 5, 2012 03:13 pm at 3:13 pm |
  423. Peter

    Another Republican candidate self-destructs. Yeah, he said black. He fumbled the end of the word because halfway through it he realized he had stuck his foot in his mouth, that's all. Racist pig. Not surprising from a Republican. Those guys sit in their comfy leather arm chairs forming their uninformed opinion of the world. Pathetic.

    January 5, 2012 03:15 pm at 3:15 pm |
  424. annie

    Read my lips, Mr. Santorum ... JERK!!!!!!!!!

    January 5, 2012 03:16 pm at 3:16 pm |
  425. Raoul

    This reminds me of the discussions on the Iraq War in the late '00s. Some people DIDN'T hear, "The War will pay for itself with Iraqi oil profits, there are WMD in the northsoutheastwest, Baathist Saddam Hussein and Wahhabist Osama bin Laden are pals, and this War will not benefit Iran whatsoever". They still don't. Some people hear what they want to hear and nothing else.

    January 5, 2012 03:18 pm at 3:18 pm |
  426. Nat Turner

    So what did he say if not "black," – Blue??? This boy is dumber than he looks. You're finished before you started, Ricky! At least have the balls to stand by what you say!

    January 5, 2012 03:18 pm at 3:18 pm |
  427. ccs

    There is definitely a "bl-" in there. The options I can hear are:

    "I don't want to make black people's lives better..."
    "I don't want to make blind people's lives better..."
    "I don't want to make blah people's lives better..."

    I don't really hear any other options there, and the final one, while amusing, makes no logical sense at all.

    January 5, 2012 03:19 pm at 3:19 pm |
  428. seriously???...no, seriously??

    Those of you defending him are clowns-and I don’t care if some of you are claiming to be Obama supporters or not. I couldn’t care less if you supported an oak tree for president—you are plain, flat out wrong on this one.
    I have watched this multiple times…backing it up right at the point where he says what he says, looking at his lips, with the volume on 10 in crystal clear CD quality sound. He CLEARLY was saying black, and the only tongue-tying was his realizing what he was about to say—as he was in a zone, in a groove preaching his views, and was caught up in the moment—but at the last second, just as he was about to, again, CLEARLY say black, he said to himself “oh s***”, and tried to clean it up, but it was too late.
    Funny if he was so tongue-tied, how he juuuuuuust happened to be tongue-tied at that particular point in his speech, because up to that point, he was clearly articulating his points of view, without a problem in the world. Again…got to the part where he was going to say “black peoples lives”, remembered where he was, and funny of all, that there was a black camera-man behind him, and tried to clean it up. Tongue-tied, yeah ok, whatever. I’ve got a lot full of DeLoreans for sale, too…

    January 5, 2012 03:20 pm at 3:20 pm |
  429. Gary, Hunt Valley, Md.

    This out-of-touch nimrod is just milking his moment in the sun for a bigger payoff as a lobbyist. Everyone with a fraction of a brain (including creepy Rick) knows he has absolutely NO SHOT at the nomination. But we get to watch CNN and the rest of the media fawning over the flavor of the month in the interest of ratings. The empire continues its inexorable decline. I LOVE AMERICA!!

    January 5, 2012 03:21 pm at 3:21 pm |
  430. AZinAK

    It sounded like "I don't want to make live- people's lives better by giving them someone's money" to me. I'm not a big fan of this guy but let's not put words in his mouth.

    January 5, 2012 03:21 pm at 3:21 pm |
  431. CG

    I don't know, there's just something about Santorum that leaves a bad taste in your mouth.

    January 5, 2012 03:22 pm at 3:22 pm |
  432. John

    Certainly sounds like he said "black people" to me.

    January 5, 2012 03:25 pm at 3:25 pm |
  433. laurijst

    I loathe Rick Santorum. I think he is an intolerant, narrow-minded, ignorant, stupid prude and the fact that there are people who actually support him and his ideas is a sad and scary commentary on our country. But I don't think he said "black"; he may have wanted to, he may have thought it, but in that tape I just don't think you can definitively declare that he SAID "black".

    January 5, 2012 03:27 pm at 3:27 pm |
  434. buc

    I sure Santorum singled out Blacks as welfare reciepients because he was addressing the crowd and use the pronoun them instead of you all or poor people, watch the viedo again.

    January 5, 2012 03:27 pm at 3:27 pm |
  435. Michael

    Funny how these politicians seem to remember every word of every conversation, except those that people find offensive. I don't need your "help", Ricky. I'm a black man who's worked everyday of my life since I was 14 and have paid taxes since I was 18. I've worked my way through college and earned both bachelor's and masters' degrees and served this country in the Marine Corps. I've given more than enough to this country through my taxes and military service and yet I've NEVER asked for anything in return. You, Ricky, are an insult to millions of hard-working African-Americans who do put in an honest day's work.

    GOP, be careful. Now that Cain's out you no longer have anyone who can bash blacks and get away with it by virtue of his skin color!

    January 5, 2012 03:27 pm at 3:27 pm |
  436. momoya

    Sounds like "Black" to me. Actually, as Peter pointed out, it sounds like he realized it was a bad word choice right when he got to the "k" sound, but it was too late to do anything about it. He's used that term or "black people" often enough for it to imply a deeply seated internal bias. It's not that he says the term itself, it's how he uses it within his daily rhetoric. He's an unintentional racist; he doesn't mean to be biased, and he doesn't mean to say things that show his prejudice, it just leaks out. Now that it's on the national radar, though, he's done for.

    January 5, 2012 03:27 pm at 3:27 pm |
  437. freidamurray

    I"n fact, I’m pretty confident I didn't say ‘black.’ I started to say a word and sort of mumbled it and changed my thought. I don't recall saying black. No one in that audience heard me say that." Hmm... even if he didn't say black (which he did), what did he mean to say? Oh, African-American. IDIOT!

    January 5, 2012 03:28 pm at 3:28 pm |
  438. Toni

    He just said what's on the minds of most of the Tea Partiers. They are basically driven by racial economic ideology.

    January 5, 2012 03:28 pm at 3:28 pm |
  439. Mark

    Even if he didn't mean "black" his entire premise on what is "wrong" with America is misplaced. This GOP "Get a Job" solution they keep throwing out to the middle class is hollow when there are millions more people wanting jobs than there are jobs available. This "get a job" mantra of the GOP is pretty much the same as "let them eat cake" solution just before the French revolution. The GOP paints themselves into a corner on one hand by saying the government should have nothing to do with creating jobs while they give more and more money to companies who offshore American jobs overseas. Corporate America has had years of lower taxes and the best profits in the world, yet they fail to create jobs for Americans. Welfare is not even an issue until you have more jobs available than people to fill the jobs. Once you have companies raising pay, offering better benefits, and lines of companies waiting outside our homes for jobs instead of people lining outside of companies begging for jobs.... then start talking about how the lazy Americans will not take the millions upon millions of good paying jobs available.

    January 5, 2012 03:28 pm at 3:28 pm |
  440. clickit

    What is so amazing to me is that there are people on here who are saying he DiDn't say "Black" people. How in the world is that possible. It wasn't a stumble of the word. I'm "Black", and even if he did say it, I understand where he's coming from. I know he realizes that he shouldn't of said it out loud. There are some people on here who immediately dismiss it as no big deal. I'm amazed at how people have no empathy for other peoples feelings. They don't even understand that it hurts those of us who work hard and overcome this type of thinking. And even though we are strong enough to "shake it off", it's very disappointing to know that there are people in high places that feel that way about us... Oh well, we've been through much worse.. What don't kill us makes us stronger!!!

    January 5, 2012 03:29 pm at 3:29 pm |
  441. Rich - Atlanta

    I think he said "lives" just before and after " people. I don't think he said black.

    January 5, 2012 03:30 pm at 3:30 pm |
  442. Iconoclast

    I guess I have a pretty perverted sense of humor. I keep picturing Santorum on the stage with Romney and Newt in the background performing a "rap" number. It would be the best demonstration in the world that at least certain white people (i.e., republicans) have no sense of rhythm at all, or for that matter, any sense at all!

    January 5, 2012 03:31 pm at 3:31 pm |
  443. NATHAN WIMBERLY

    I just watched him on the news. He most certainly DID NOT say black. This is a bogus issue.

    January 5, 2012 03:31 pm at 3:31 pm |
  444. CD

    My question: Why has this not been a major topic in the main stream media? Especially since it was probably these very comments that invigorated his racist base and catapulted him into the 2nd place Iowan finish. i seem to recall the media frenzy over Jeremiah Wright's (quite accurate) comments during the last election cycle. Yet, Santorum's race-baiting is not worthy of discussion. Post-racial society! Yeah right!!

    January 5, 2012 03:36 pm at 3:36 pm |
  445. loathstheright

    I just watched him on the news. He most certainly DID say black. This is not a bogus issue.

    January 5, 2012 03:37 pm at 3:37 pm |
  446. Jack Francione

    What's pretty funny is the look on the sound guys face (right behind and next to Santorum). He's probably thinking to himself "Did he just say what I thought he said?"

    January 5, 2012 03:37 pm at 3:37 pm |
  447. Brendan

    I dislike Santorum as a person and a politician. I don't think he's a friend to African Americans, either. But I think that was a simple stammer and he was not singling out Black people in this instance.

    January 5, 2012 03:37 pm at 3:37 pm |
  448. Lee

    I watched the video and it sure sounded like he said the word black. Anyways, this guy is a joke like the rest of the repub clowns who want to be president.

    Go Obama 2012!

    January 5, 2012 03:38 pm at 3:38 pm |
  449. Jay

    He went back and look at the video, and he's still lying.

    January 5, 2012 03:38 pm at 3:38 pm |
  450. Columbus

    C'mon, this is the media blowing a minor gaffe into a racial controversy, so what if the guy said black instead of African American, if he had said white people can't dance, the news would have yucked it up. It's not like he used the N word or said colored, or any other derogatory term, a couple of years ago black was OK. I blame the media for the derision we see in our society, a bunch of political windbags will eventually say something that can be used against them and the media will be sure to be there to capture it and make a big deal out of it.

    January 5, 2012 03:38 pm at 3:38 pm |
  451. KH

    "Actually, it sounds like he transposed the words "people" and "lives"
    i.e. "I want to make p-lives..people's lives better..."
    -----------------------

    Actually it doesn't sound like that at all...the fact that so many people seem to be hearing exactly the same thing and wording it exactly the same way indicates to me that this observation is coming directly off of a spin sheet. Also the phrase "I am no Rick Santorum supporter, but......" is right out of Intro-to-Spin101

    The only possible things it could be if it were not actually "Black People" is Blah, Blat, Block...you pick, but personally I think he realized what he had said after the BL....and attempted to blur over the rest and deny it later.

    January 5, 2012 03:38 pm at 3:38 pm |
  452. CRG

    With the exception of Huntsman, Gangrich, and Romney, this entire republican campaign has been about racism, ethnocentrism, and neo-McCarthyism. One would have to be blind and deaf to not see what the Tea Party, their followers and candidates are really about. I hope these reactionaries never gain control of this country. .

    January 5, 2012 03:39 pm at 3:39 pm |
  453. dragon8me

    He's just another rascist in the Rascist Rep Party.

    January 5, 2012 03:41 pm at 3:41 pm |
  454. fmjk

    So he's a liar on top of being a racist? Why is this not surprising?

    January 5, 2012 03:42 pm at 3:42 pm |
  455. Sparky

    I don't hear 'black', I hear a guy stumbling over his words. I'm a staunch Obama supporter and disagree with everything Santorum stands for, but I agree with AZinAK, let's not put words in his mouth. There's enough to disagree with in the things he actually said.

    January 5, 2012 03:44 pm at 3:44 pm |
  456. Pat

    I'm Pretty sure that will be in a add come general election time

    January 5, 2012 03:45 pm at 3:45 pm |
  457. orlando smith

    This is typical dog whistle politics with a racial overtone. it is what has beeb insinuated by the right to appeal to the bigotry of much of their base. ....."THe BLACK President wants to give lazy BLACK Peole all of the hard working WHITE folks' money." Statistically speaking the face of welfare is a twenty something single white female. The preferred believe is that WHITE folk work and Black folk don't. He just said what the bulk of his party believes.

    January 5, 2012 03:45 pm at 3:45 pm |
  458. Stacey

    I heard the tape clearly. Santorum said the word "black" people. Santorum is a bigot just like the majority of the GOP. No surprise here folks. The GOP are bigoted. You can count the "black" folks on your hands because there are so few of us that belong to the GOP, nor do we want to be part of them.

    January 5, 2012 03:46 pm at 3:46 pm |
  459. Dave, CA

    Can't get tongue tied running for president little Ricky! Face it you've got NOTHING but anti-gay hysteria to run on and you will NOT be president spreading lies and hate like that!

    January 5, 2012 03:47 pm at 3:47 pm |
  460. Liz

    Maybe he should have said "colored people" – or can only the NAACP say that? Whole thing is silly. He said quit depending on the government and start depending on yourself. What is wrong with telling people that?

    January 5, 2012 03:50 pm at 3:50 pm |
  461. momoya

    If you slow it down, loop it, and listen a few times, you can hear FOUR distinct syllables: BLA... PEE – PULZ LIVEZ. If you don't hear those four distinct syllables then go get your hearing tested as soon as possible. And if after verifying the fact of those four syllables you don't agree that Santorum intended to say "Black people," then seek professional help on your inability to gauge reality.

    January 5, 2012 03:53 pm at 3:53 pm |
  462. bob

    hey, rick. what does your Christian faith say about lying? time to hit the Confessional.

    January 5, 2012 03:53 pm at 3:53 pm |
  463. Stacey

    If you want the truth about Santorum ( and it appears by the comments many of you don't ) just look at his record. He has done more to help the black community more than any other of the politicians. Help, I said, not hinder just to get their vote.
    _____________________________________________________

    I got all the truth I need from Santorum – that truth is he's a bigot!

    January 5, 2012 03:53 pm at 3:53 pm |
  464. Pete

    What's amazing here is that he talks now as though he himself doesn't know what he said! I listened and thought he said "a lot of people" versus "black people." And if he did say that, then this is not an issue. But how do you look at the video and not recall your own intent or actual words? Eventually the far right's beliefs and politics will fall under the weight of its own lack of moral compass.

    January 5, 2012 03:56 pm at 3:56 pm |
  465. Jason K

    Rick has a lot of cannon fodder, why are they calling him racist because he said "blacks". African-American's aren't all black people. They are Americans with African ancestry. It just so happens that I know at least 3 people who were born and raised in Johannasberg South Africa and came to America. All three are white as a sheet, but they are also African-Americans.

    January 5, 2012 03:57 pm at 3:57 pm |
  466. Expat American

    Oh Dear!
    Santorum is in hot water. He needs damage spin control, and he needs it fast.
    He had better find or hire some ‘non-whites’ or to strategically place in the backdrop of his next speech like every other Republicans does – make sure there aren’t any Muslims or Gay heathens though…..
    He needs to keep the Uuhmurikkkan Values Christ Nazis appeased too you know.

    January 5, 2012 03:57 pm at 3:57 pm |
  467. Rick

    So he doesn't want to make Barack Obama's life better? What a mean person Ricky is.

    January 5, 2012 03:57 pm at 3:57 pm |
  468. Kevin in Atlatna

    I'm black and I was not offended by what he said. I find Santorum to be genuine in his demeanor. However, I don't want him to be my President. Not because he "accidentally" said the word "Black". But because I don't agree with his policies.

    January 5, 2012 03:57 pm at 3:57 pm |
  469. ed peters

    Yeah Rick, nobody worked harder; That's why they tossed you out by what 18 points!

    January 5, 2012 03:58 pm at 3:58 pm |
  470. woodrow

    LOL. We know what you meant Santorum. We don't want to give blacks anything. How about slavery Santorum? Got any new views on that?

    January 5, 2012 03:59 pm at 3:59 pm |
  471. LEE

    I'm not sure why all of the debate..He clearly....said "BLACK PEOPLE"....He is an ignorant candidate who clearly did research his facts. 85% of the Welfare recipients in Iowa are WHITE and 9% BLACK! In addition, if you look at national average we have more White than Black....as welfare recipients...Ignorant remarks such as those made by the candidate continue to support many unfounded and ignorant assumptions! This is unfortunate and sad...but more so because of all the ignorant people acting as if this is no big issue....

    January 5, 2012 04:00 pm at 4:00 pm |
  472. Retired Army in San Antonio

    Hey! DON'T PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT I SAID!

    Pay attention to what I MEANT to say.......

    Seriously, every time the Republicans prop up one of their disfunctional candidates, he/she turns out to be crazier than the last one!

    January 5, 2012 04:00 pm at 4:00 pm |
  473. GOOGLE SANTORUM !!!!!!

    This clown will never be President.

    January 5, 2012 04:02 pm at 4:02 pm |
  474. talbet

    The only reason I think he said 'black' people is because I have ears that function.

    January 5, 2012 04:02 pm at 4:02 pm |
  475. thinkergal

    Your excuse doesn't pass the smell test, Rick. The racists to who you were appealing know what you meant, and I'm sure they love you for it. The rest of us–not so much.

    January 5, 2012 04:03 pm at 4:03 pm |
  476. Retired Army in San Antonio

    NATHAN WIMBERLY

    I just watched him on the news. He most certainly DID NOT say black. This is a bogus issue.

    January 5, 2012 03:31 pm at 3:31 pm |
    ----------------------------------------

    Yes Nathan.....you certainly ARE dillusional :-( .

    The good news is that they have medication for your issues :-) .....

    January 5, 2012 04:03 pm at 4:03 pm |
  477. IDEAS and IDEALS not ideologies

    Freudian slip and that's all I have to say. He holds those stereotypes deep inside and did not mean to embarrass himself like that. Now it's utterly dishonest on his part to state that he did not say that word. He should go back and listen to it and let's see what he has to say. He dug the hole even further by talking about stammering. Has anyone on this board heard Rick stutter before? I hope he embraces honesty, truth, and respect as guiding principles of his campaign. The presidency is not worth his soul.

    January 5, 2012 04:09 pm at 4:09 pm |
  478. CBR

    Deed are most important. If Mr. Santorum has a poor record in PA and in the Senate then, by all means go after him.
    Mistakes while speaking can be disastrous but it is better to look at the whole record. Other cand9idates might not have as much backing if their past remarks and records are really examined.

    January 5, 2012 04:10 pm at 4:10 pm |
  479. JohnP

    Once again there CNN, what is the problem if he said black, and blacks can say white? Is it OK to say NAAColoredP?

    January 5, 2012 04:10 pm at 4:10 pm |
  480. steve harnack

    His tongue wasn't tied, it was loosened by ego.

    January 5, 2012 04:13 pm at 4:13 pm |
  481. Marcus

    I listened through that a few times and even with the earwig telling me that I just HAD to hear the word "black," it didn't happen. There are enough reasons not to vote for the guy to continue to make this an issue, because it clearly is not. Go back to hating him for being his usual self and stop wasting press money on this.

    January 5, 2012 04:14 pm at 4:14 pm |
  482. lsgyrl

    He said Black. Don't try to make it something else.

    January 5, 2012 04:16 pm at 4:16 pm |
  483. Chad S

    I've heard random audio clips from Santorum for years now. This guy is just a plain phuck nut. He has no shot of winning on the national stage once people learn more about him.

    January 5, 2012 04:17 pm at 4:17 pm |
  484. madmaninthemiddle

    Well, it sounds to me like he said it, but let's say he didn't and let him off the hook for a second. What I find disturbing is people who say "so what's wrong with saying black" as if the issue is that he didn't use the PC term "African-America." No, that's not it.

    Others on this blog are arguing about what percentage of welfare recipeints are black, or what percentage of blacks are on welfare. This also misses the point.

    What is wrong with the statment (if indeed that is what he said) is that it implies a) that all welfare recipients are black and b) that all blacks are on welfare. I own a business in Prince George's County Maryland. There is a huge, thriving, upper middle class population here. And 70% of them are black. The idea that most blacks are poor (or lazy, or uneducated) is just plain wrong. Not morally – factually.

    January 5, 2012 04:18 pm at 4:18 pm |
  485. steve harnack

    Even if he hadn't said black, where do these Republikans expect poor people to live and what do the expect them to eat while they are waiting to "take advantage of opportunities"? When you have nothing you can't take advantage of anything!

    January 5, 2012 04:19 pm at 4:19 pm |
  486. Adam

    Nancy

    Why is being politically correct so important nowadays? He called it like he saw it..

    The problem here NANCY, is exactly that. He is saying he sees welfare as aid to the black community specifically, he has singled them out. The problem is, in IOWA, the MAJORITY of people on welfare, are not black. So for him to "SEE" it this way, inclines people to speculate if he will always assume blame should be placed inaccurately based on steriotypes.

    January 5, 2012 04:20 pm at 4:20 pm |
  487. miketofdal

    what interested me more about this was the 'crawler' along the bottom of the Santorum video (see still shot, above). It reads: "Pentagon to end strategy of US able to fight 2 simultaneous ground wars." Are you kidding me? Is this a joke off of Onion.com? I'm no military strategist; I'm somewhat of a dimwit about these things, really. But is it wise to tell your enemies that you no longer have the capacity to run two ground wars at the same time? Is it possible that two of our enemies could agree to work together to create 3 or 4 ground wars for us to fight, just so we could stretch resources that we don't have?

    January 5, 2012 04:21 pm at 4:21 pm |
  488. Buster Bloodvessel

    I saw the video; he said 'black.' He's lying and it's contemptible.

    January 5, 2012 04:22 pm at 4:22 pm |
  489. Balls McGhee

    all republicans complain about black people. i hear it all day with the ones i work with. they make stereotypes all day long but when confronted, "oh we're the party of lincoln who freed the slaves!" deep inside they hate Obama because they dont trust a poor black man to run the country. itis the turth! and deny it all you want but you know deep inside and with all your GOP friends, that you talk crap on black people. i am there in the room with you!

    January 5, 2012 04:22 pm at 4:22 pm |
  490. Buster Bloodvessel

    I saw a blog post this morning giving Santorum no more than a few days of honeymoon before he said something that completely ripped his butt with half the voters. Wow, that guy was psychic.

    January 5, 2012 04:24 pm at 4:24 pm |
  491. 4 More Years

    runner305 and everyone else that doesn't get it: The problem isn't with the WORD black, the problem is that he was directly equating blacks with welfare. As a percentage of thier population within this country, blacks have a higher rate of subsistence. This is true, but not even mentioning that the majority of welfare recipients are white, if you look at the quality of education for poor people (majority are non-white) there is no wonder why. In the next coule of years, the real story of the GOP will be unveiled...the percentage of white welfare recipients is going to skyrocket because the 1% keeps "cashing in" before, during and after a recession and the middl class is almost gone and the majority of those people are white. Wake up America. This isn't about race, religion, or any of the subterfuge the GOP puts out there. There is a class war coming and I know what side I am on and it's not the 1%...

    January 5, 2012 04:25 pm at 4:25 pm |
  492. Alan J

    What a damned LIAR you are Santorum! We will NEVER see you become President of This Country dude! You racist lunatic! You said what was in your heart and soul..black soul, oops! Nancy you are just like him sad it's still going on in this raggedy country 300 years later! You are a coward more than a liar to say to John King and all the viewers who saw and heard you say I don't want Black people to get other people's money! Be a man and say hey I slipped up and spoke my heart and i hope you Elect me Anyway those of you Americans who think and feel the way I do, like Nancy!

    January 5, 2012 04:25 pm at 4:25 pm |
  493. Rudy NYC

    Here's a tidbit about Iowa's most popular "faith and moral values" candidate, Rick Santorum. Just days ago, the Pennsylvania conservative raised some eyebrows while talking about diversity at an event in Ottumwa, Iowa. The motto "E Pluribus Unum" is latin for "Out of Many, One".

    Originally suggesting that out of many colonies or states emerge a single nation, in recent years it has come to suggest that out of many peoples, races, religions and ancestries has emerged a single people and nation – illustrating the concept of the melting pot, or diversity.

    -------------------–

    "I was at a debate with Howard Dean and we were asked what was the most imp quality of America and he said diversity. Diversity? Have you ever heard of e pluribus unum?....The greatness of America is people who are diverse coming together to be one," Santorum said. "If we celebrate diversity, we lay the groundwork for that conflict. We need to celebrate common values and have a president that lays out those common values."

    January 5, 2012 04:25 pm at 4:25 pm |
  494. Buster Bloodvessel

    miketofdal, generally if we don't want a ground war, we bomb the enemy into submission. You didn't see Reagan, Clinton, or Daddy Bush hugging the tarbaby of war; they bombed, went in and did the mission, and got out.

    January 5, 2012 04:26 pm at 4:26 pm |
  495. Dr.D

    So what's the controversy? He realized a bit too late that what he was about to say was racist and he tried to pull the word back. Alas it was too far into the talking process to get back and his real thoughts emerged for all to hear... a little squelched by the attempt to swallow the word "black". Totally consistent with his values and world view.

    He wouldn't stand a prayer in the general election and would be a liability as a Vice Presidential candidate. Let us hope he is able to keep going for months. He serves as a useful reminder to all independent voters of what the Republican party really stands for.

    January 5, 2012 04:27 pm at 4:27 pm |
  496. t.marino

    Considering most folks on welfare are "white" he is wrong on all accounts. Surprising isn't it.

    January 5, 2012 04:30 pm at 4:30 pm |
  497. No way

    Don't let his feeble excuses fool you. He said exactly what he meant. Google "Santorum racism." You'll find other examples of racist words coming out of Rick Santorum's mouth.

    The first paragraph of this article says this has "sparked a firestorm among some in the African-American community." That's a ludicrous understatement. "Some" in the "African-American community?" I'm white and outraged, and this is going to snowball on him. This has motivated me to do everything I can to get the word out on this creep, who has now added weasel behavior to his racism.

    Thank you, Rick, for showing us your true self so early.

    January 5, 2012 04:31 pm at 4:31 pm |
  498. Ed DFWTX

    I wonder if Santorum knows the "Blacks" like Donald Trump? No wonder the GOP is out of touch with our Country today. It seems like the GOP today is mainly composed of the 1% and angry old White people who hate change, people different from themselves, and progressive ideas.

    January 5, 2012 04:32 pm at 4:32 pm |
  499. Steve

    It's amazing how people are lining up to be offended. He didn't say "black." It sounded to me, clear as day, "lives..people's lives..." He stumbled and started over the sentence. And I'm not a Santorum fan/supporter.

    January 5, 2012 04:33 pm at 4:33 pm |
  500. bawana

    good ole frothy the santorum,,willin to let raztus earn a liitle cash just like gole boy newt wantin all those poo kids sweeping up after all they massa's mess

    January 5, 2012 04:34 pm at 4:34 pm |
  501. joey

    Santorum loves to talk about cutting government expenditures, and relying on yourself. But while homeschooling his kids, he collected $73,000 in unwarranted tuition reimbursements from the Penn Hills Pennsylvania School District for an online charter cyber-school - even though, by his own admission, they lived in Virginia 11 months of the year, and he was making $165,200 a year as a U.S. Senator at the time. (Virginia does not pay for students to attend online schools if a local real-world school is available, as it was to Santorum's family.)

    Santorum claimed he was a valid resident of the Pennsylvania school district because he owned a house there - which cost $88,000, compared to the $690,000 he paid for the house they actually live in. The only problem with that story is, he rented the Pennsylvania house out during the time he was supposedly a resident.

    After this was discovered and publicized, Santorum pulled his kids out of the cyber-school, but refused to repay the $73,000. As a result, the State of Pennsylvania had to pay another $55,000 to settle a lawsuit by the local school district demanding repayment.

    January 5, 2012 04:39 pm at 4:39 pm |
  502. joey

    Santorum was involved in the coverup of fellow Senator (and friend) John Ensign's adultery scandal. After losing his reelection to the Senate, Santorum went to work for Fox News. He was there when Doug Hampton - the Ensign aide whose wife Senator Ensign was sleeping with - decided to go public. Hampton emailed Santorum and Megyn Kelly (who also worked for Fox), seeking a meeting to plan how to go public.

    Instead of reporting on the case or referring it to Fox reporters, Santorum called Ensign to warn him that the scandal was about to break. Ensign called a meeting that night to tell his staff about the affair and plan a response. Ensign eventually had to resign anyway, and the Senate Ethics Committee concluded that Ensign violated federal law in attempting to cover up the scandal, including offering Hampton a job and seeking clients for his consulting business.

    January 5, 2012 04:40 pm at 4:40 pm |
  503. Maltheus

    "They have this idea that people should be left alone, be able to do whatever they want to do, government should keep our taxes down and regulations low, that we shouldn't get involved in the bedroom or in cultural issues. That is not how traditional conservatives view the world." - Rick "Big Government" Santorum

    January 5, 2012 04:40 pm at 4:40 pm |
  504. joey

    "The idea that the Crusades and the fight of Christendom against Islam is somehow an aggression on our part is absolutely anti-historical. ... What I’m talking about is onward American soldiers. What we’re talking about are core American values. - Santorum

    January 5, 2012 04:40 pm at 4:40 pm |
  505. joey

    "I think some things maybe were maybe taken out of context. So I will not call him the knuckle-dragging Neanderthal that perhaps others would want to call him - I'll let his wife call him that instead." - Sarah Palin, after Santorum criticized her.

    January 5, 2012 04:41 pm at 4:41 pm |
  506. joey

    "If you're a Republican, if you're a Republican in the broadest sense, there is only one place to go right now and that's Mitt Romney." – Santorum, February, 2008

    January 5, 2012 04:42 pm at 4:42 pm |
  507. dyg

    He said "black."

    January 5, 2012 04:42 pm at 4:42 pm |
  508. joey

    "I didn't say black people. I started to say word and kind of went 'bleurgh' and mixed my thoughts. I started to say one word and came up with a different word and moved on." – Santorum, the next day

    January 5, 2012 04:42 pm at 4:42 pm |
  509. KH

    " It sounded to me, clear as day, "lives..people's lives..." He stumbled and started over the sentence. And I'm not a Santorum fan/supporter."

    This same statement...almost verbatim including the statement of 'non-bias' is appearing so often across the internet that it is obviously a posting point that was distributed as spin control.

    January 5, 2012 04:47 pm at 4:47 pm |
  510. martha

    The truth is, he speaks for all of us. None of us want our hard earned money to be taken away and given to black people on welfare. period. How much have these black people on welfare given any of us? They have given nothing to society as a whole. We all know this to be true. period.

    January 5, 2012 04:47 pm at 4:47 pm |
  511. capers8

    "The NAACP responded to his statement from Sunday, blasting the former Pennsylvania senator for “singling out” African-Americans as poor." Uhh African Americans are the poorest race in America...

    January 5, 2012 04:47 pm at 4:47 pm |
  512. Jack Be Humble

    I believe we should all give him a pass on this one. Fifty years ago, the candidate might have used a far more derogatory word.

    January 5, 2012 04:50 pm at 4:50 pm |
  513. dyg

    Wonder what the black sound guy is thinking?

    January 5, 2012 04:51 pm at 4:51 pm |
  514. RPE

    Oh my goodness. He misspoke, or better yet he spoke accurately! I always find it interesting to watch the liberal blitz assign racist or bigoted ideology to any conservative thinker. It is a non story that many who post here are happily lathered up ready to unload on. However, when the current president insults law abiding Christian gun owners that is all ok with liberals cause "they are on the other team" right? It is sad that many of you do not care to sit back and really think about what you are doing to the country. I cannot see one policy that Obama has put in place that actually helps anyone to move ahead in life. No, actually all of the policies he has implemented seem intent on continuing the indoctrination that you should rely on the Feds for your lives. Santorum wants you to do MUCH better than what the Feds can provide you for free, but it will require that you earn it and make some sacrifices along the way to achieve your goals. Recall that idea is called "The american dream". It cannot be handed to you as many of you feel it should be, you must sweat to get there. So, because I see Obama as anti-american, anti-business, pro-choice, pro-gay marriage, I anticipate the standard liberal response of name calling and racial profiling. Too bad many of you have been fooled into not thinking for yourselves.

    January 5, 2012 04:52 pm at 4:52 pm |
  515. LIES!!!

    Santorum... you called it the way you view it. You very clearly said "black." Now it is time to own up!

    January 5, 2012 04:52 pm at 4:52 pm |
  516. capers8

    Btw it's pretty clear that Santorum was trying to say "a lot of people's lives" not black people's lives

    January 5, 2012 04:52 pm at 4:52 pm |
  517. Al

    Santorum is a "former senator" for a reason. He didn't retire, he was voted out. Why would Iowa want to make this idiot President?

    January 5, 2012 04:52 pm at 4:52 pm |
  518. Jimbo

    Santorum is a butt pirate that likes to play with dead babies.

    January 5, 2012 04:53 pm at 4:53 pm |
  519. Birdwatcher1

    Folks, guess what, it doesn't matter what Santorum (gag, sputter) said – as it is going to be Romney, and not Santorum, Gingrich, Perry, or any of the others who win the nomination.

    But yeah, of course he said "black" – good grief, what an imbecile.

    January 5, 2012 04:54 pm at 4:54 pm |
  520. Jay

    He never said "black" He was going to say "lives" and stopped and then said "people's lives" it's pretty clear if you watch the video. Anti-republicans just want him to have said it.

    January 5, 2012 04:54 pm at 4:54 pm |
  521. MAFV

    Trust me if blacks were the majority of people collecting welfare in this country, there would be no welfare. Mr.Rum why don't you take a trip down to your local social services office and tell me how many black faces you see....I believe then you can make an educated comment. Listen up us black people tell Mr. Rum we'll see him at the ballot box...that's the way you shut bigots up like this.

    January 5, 2012 04:54 pm at 4:54 pm |
  522. KH

    google > "lives..people's lives..."

    complete with the quotes and you will see the results of a panicked spin control campaign

    January 5, 2012 04:55 pm at 4:55 pm |
  523. Thom Kurtz

    sounds like "a lot of" people to me, not "black"

    January 5, 2012 04:55 pm at 4:55 pm |
  524. Birdwatcher1

    Oh, Martha, Martha, what a hateful person. So sad.

    January 5, 2012 04:55 pm at 4:55 pm |
  525. MAFV

    Wowww!!!! what ignorance from posters....I thought America had gained a little knowledge about disparities in this country...sounds like a lot of trailer trash talk to me.

    January 5, 2012 04:56 pm at 4:56 pm |
  526. Norps

    More Right wing bigotry. I am surprised its even being reported anymore. Is anyone surprised. His only mistake here in his mind is saying what he really thinks.

    January 5, 2012 04:56 pm at 4:56 pm |
  527. Kevin Collins

    He definitely said "black", and Iowa definitely has more whites than black on the welfare rolls - as is also the case in Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Oklahoma...It's palpably absurd to aver that white people aren't on welfare, just like it's equally absurd to aver that it's only Dmocrats on welfare - go to any GOP-dominated county in any state, and you'll find *plenty* of people (with a lot of them *white*) in the Health and Human Services building applying for that welfare. Why do these people vote Republican? Because they're under this delusion that they're inevitably going to be rich someday, so all these favoring-the-rich GOP polices will eventually benefit them, they think. Pathetic. Oh, and so is Ricky Boy.

    January 5, 2012 04:56 pm at 4:56 pm |
  528. Lfeats

    I think Santorum is a hideous candidate, but hafta cut him some slack on this one....Listen to it, no way he said "black,"

    January 5, 2012 04:57 pm at 4:57 pm |
  529. RPE

    P.S. Stop looking for a reason to blather and start looking for a rallying point together. If anyone thinks Obama is the guy to fix the economy after his first 3 plus years then you truly need help. He simply has no idea how to go about this and when he gets good solid input from his debt commission or business leaders he ignores it. Wake up folks and support the person who WILL address out debt, our economy and put the US back where it belongs on the international front. If you think a tax rate on corporations up to %20 higher than our competitors is working then you really do not care about the country, only your chosen political team.

    January 5, 2012 04:59 pm at 4:59 pm |
  530. Lisa

    Granted he could have chosen a better phrase such as "I don't want to make poor people ..." but then someone would get upset because they would think t inferred Blacks or Hispanics. Bottom line is poor people come in all colors; unfortunately they are mostly predominately Black and Hispanic.

    Rather than get pissy about political correctness, use that same energy to help these folks earn a decent income.

    January 5, 2012 04:59 pm at 4:59 pm |
  531. Independent Voters

    Dear Kevin Atlanta my friends are african american and they was very offended I dont know what planet you on but I was listening to the radio that majority of the african american callers was offended.

    January 5, 2012 04:59 pm at 4:59 pm |
  532. Grady Richardson

    He said black. Now he's lying about it. He obviously equates welfare recipients with black people, possibly unconsciously. In any case he needs to face up to the truth about what he said and what it tells us (and himself; I've known people who honestly didn't consider themselves racist, despite regularly saying racist things) about his attitudes about black people either conscious or unconscious and how that would affect his governing style in the (extremely unlikely) event that he became President.

    January 5, 2012 04:59 pm at 4:59 pm |
  533. T'sah From Virginia

    ►Dominican mama 4 Obama
    Yes I'm with Lynda and GI Joe. I and mine will be voting for THAT ONE too.Again.
    Obama 2012.◄

    I'm with you guys too – I am voting for "THAT ONE" again!!!

    Obama 2012!!!!!!!

    January 5, 2012 05:01 pm at 5:01 pm |
  534. Jimbo

    I would vote for the black president from Idiocracy before I would vote for Santorum juice and I lean to the right. Religious wackos and people who vote for them need to be ridiculed as much as possible....gloves are off and everything is fair game when it comes to these ignoramus'.

    January 5, 2012 05:02 pm at 5:02 pm |
  535. RPE

    Come on, stop rallying for the sake of rallying and starting rallying to save the US. Do you all really believe Obama is going to tackle the debt issue? Do you all really believe that Obama is going to adopt business friendly policies that lower corporate tax rates for US based profits? No wonder companies hire oversees...the costs really do make sense. The FIX is to allow US based workers to compete for the same jobs and that will not occur till the Feds lower to the US tax rates for business.

    January 5, 2012 05:04 pm at 5:04 pm |
  536. scoto

    He said "white Iowans" but it came out sounding like "black" right?

    January 5, 2012 05:05 pm at 5:05 pm |
  537. d

    I really dislike Santorum, and I would be disgusted if he actually became president, but he does NOT say "black". He did stumble, but I don't know anybody who pronounces the word "black" as if it rhymed with "live". He pretty clearly says "I don't want to make – uh-live – people's lives..."

    January 5, 2012 05:07 pm at 5:07 pm |
  538. Miguel

    For those who say he didn't say black people, your in denial.
    Bigotry doesn't have a political party, plenty of republican and democrat bigots.
    The problem isn't his use of the word black, if you think that you're daft. The problem is linking black people to welfare as if only black people use it and or abuse it.
    For those who don't know, more white people are on welfare than there are black people in this country.
    37% black (13 million)
    39% white (100 million)
    I guess that welfare queen lives in a doublewide and drives a Chevy Celebrity instead of a Cadillac.

    January 5, 2012 05:07 pm at 5:07 pm |
  539. Lekwas

    This is his first test, and he failed woefully. He could say it was a poor choice of word, and moved on. Or he could say I stand by what I said. No, he didn't do any of those; he lied about it even though it's on tape: and he is not even president yet. I guess his Catholic teachings forgot to teach him about the problem of lieing.

    January 5, 2012 05:07 pm at 5:07 pm |
  540. JT

    Santorum is like the girl at the bar that someone settles on after last call. Pretty much all of the better options had been checked out before that point.

    January 5, 2012 05:09 pm at 5:09 pm |
  541. No way

    If you honestly think he didn't say "black"–which is your right–please go to Google or YouTube and find out what else he's said that's racist. He wasn't stammering or stumbling his words then.

    If you think the point is that he said "black" instead of "African-American," go to Google and look up the definition of racism. The term isn't the point. The point is singling out any group for blame based on their race, regardless of the term. If you can't grasp that, go ahead and vote for him–he's counting on your ignorance.

    January 5, 2012 05:09 pm at 5:09 pm |
  542. Mike D

    Yes! He said Black people, because he's in Iowa and was thinking Black people and no one in the audience was Black. He failed to remember the the brother holding the boom mic, who in the face of being insulted, was very professional while on camera.

    January 5, 2012 05:10 pm at 5:10 pm |
  543. JP

    I have no great love for Santorum, I'll likely vote for Obama again. That said, I think it sounds much more like a pause, followed by "lives...people's lives" than the word "black." If you suspend what you want to believe about the individual and listen to the word, it sounds quite a bit more like "lives" than "blacks."

    January 5, 2012 05:12 pm at 5:12 pm |
  544. joe

    Now, if he'd just said lazy black bstards or no good niqqers no one woould have had any issues :)

    January 5, 2012 05:18 pm at 5:18 pm |
  545. tom in tn

    I tried to listen carefully. I played it over and over, at high volume and low. I just don't hear the word black. I hear the BL sound on the front end but I don't the ACK sound on the back end. I think he mumbled something but I don't know what. I think if you put him in scandinavia you could charge him with putting down blonde people and in another setting it might be heard that he's said blind people. I agree with other who have said Santorum has some many other and clearer problems. We don't need this one, real or imagined, to know he's not a good fit for the presidency.

    January 5, 2012 05:18 pm at 5:18 pm |
  546. Sue

    No offense, but I have a loss of 50% hearing in one ear and I CLEARLY heard BLACK. It was disappointing to me as a former life-long republican who went Democratic in 2008 and voted for Barack Obama, but was willing to consider listening to republicans this year, just in case I was wrong, to see that I wasted all those years voting republican! However, in self defense, I have to say that the republican party "of old" was entirely different than the "my way or the highway" party of today. A sad commentary but true.

    January 5, 2012 05:21 pm at 5:21 pm |
  547. Mike

    He said the wrong thing and offended people. By the same token the media needs to be unbiased and nail any "black" politician or celebrity that says "white" with a negative context. Equality, right? All races and creeds need to stop crying over these types of comments and simply act in such a way as to inspire only positive stereotypes. Instead, they continue to perpetuate negative stereotypes and waste time being "offended."

    January 5, 2012 05:23 pm at 5:23 pm |
  548. mjcjr

    Sounds to me like he was thinking "black", but thought better of it and tried to change his mind mid-word. Too late though... too late.

    January 5, 2012 05:25 pm at 5:25 pm |
  549. Kent Bowen

    My guess is he figured out at the last moment that he had made a poor choice of words and mumbled through the statement. He has also probably now figured out that his showing in Iowa has moved him into the big time where everything he says will be reported and dissected.

    January 5, 2012 05:25 pm at 5:25 pm |
  550. Italofila

    This guy is a LIAR. Not only did say "black" in this instance; but, he also said it in another remark when referring to President Obama's position on abortion rights. He said that Obama’s stance was “almost remarkable for a black man.” REALLY??? What in God's name does being black have to do with it? The guy is a TURD that will wind the clock back to the last century when politicians openly displayed racial bias to garner support of ignorant and like-minded individuals. It's also really a shame that nobody in the audience even flinched at his remark. Is this really where we want to go in 2012? I don't think so (and I am white!)

    January 5, 2012 05:25 pm at 5:25 pm |
  551. RPE

    As I read most of your comments it is clear most of you have no ability to think or perceive the future of continuing with your team Obama commitment. The man is incompetent in the white house. ANYONE will be better than this guy. He is still in denial about his role in running up the debt and most of you here seem blissfully unaware that he is running us into bankruptcy....or worse yet you do not care. Sad liberal thinkers...ideology before practicality and common sense.

    January 5, 2012 05:26 pm at 5:26 pm |
  552. Wise1Speak

    IT IS NOT COMPLICATED

    Rick Santorum stated what he truly believes but realized just as the words rolled off his tongue, that he had just unmasked what is in his heart.

    He tried to hold back his life-long belief that African-Americans are the predominant benefactors of welfare, but he his ignorant of the fact that Whites and Hispanics exceed Blacks as welfare recipients.

    January 5, 2012 05:27 pm at 5:27 pm |
  553. Larry Brett

    He said alot.....b-lot to be exact. People need to quit trying to alwas make something out of nothing. Ridiculous!

    January 5, 2012 05:27 pm at 5:27 pm |
  554. RPE

    You all prefer to spend hours blasting an incoherent communication from your sworn enemy right? You all need to grow up...

    January 5, 2012 05:27 pm at 5:27 pm |
  555. reelamerican

    I love the way the Liberal media try's to twist what he said and put wors in his mouth it sounde like a cough to me maybe you Liberals all have a guilty conscience

    January 5, 2012 05:28 pm at 5:28 pm |
  556. edge

    You see those speed limit signs on the road? You know how "Speed Limit 30" means, "The speed limit from here to the next speed limit sign is 30 miles per hour, not kilometers per hour, and can be pushed to 35 if the road is clear and not congested, but you should probably slow down to at least 25 if it's raining or even less if it's icy."

    You know why speed limit signs don't say all that? Because there isn't enough space. Thank you, bite-sized news culture.

    However, he should have chosen "welfare recipients" rather than "black people". That would be like putting out a sign that says "slow down to 5 miles under the speed limit" without a reference to what the base speed limit is.

    This was an error of reference, and a valid point about the welfare culture, which to be perfectly honest is comprised of a large number of African-American people. That is a truth. But there are lots of other skin colors in the welfare system, living off the rest of us as leeches. I share Santorum's concern about that... but not his racism about the cause.

    So, yes... it was quite racist. And I don't throw that label around lightly.

    January 5, 2012 05:29 pm at 5:29 pm |
  557. Wise1Speak

    IT IS NOT COMPLICATED

    Rick Santorum stated what he truly believes but realized just as the words rolled off his tongue, that he had just unmasked what is in his heart.

    He tried to hold back his life-long belief that African-Americans are the predominant benefactors of welfare, but he is ignorant of the fact that Whites and Hispanics exceed Blacks as welfare recipients.

    January 5, 2012 05:29 pm at 5:29 pm |
  558. A Wills

    nonsense. he said "a lot of people" ...

    January 5, 2012 05:30 pm at 5:30 pm |
  559. reelamerican

    All right so what he said it DEAL WITH IT

    January 5, 2012 05:30 pm at 5:30 pm |
  560. JB

    There are plenty of reasons to pile on this contemptible POS, but I watched this several times and, even though it sounds awfully close, I think it is just an utterance, like an "um." But whether he truly said it or not, how priceless would it have been if the guy holding the mic had clocked him in the back of the head?

    January 5, 2012 05:33 pm at 5:33 pm |
  561. Burt

    Tongue-tied, "Oops..." brain freezes, "I'm not a witch." There you have it. The GOP.

    January 5, 2012 05:34 pm at 5:34 pm |
  562. MAFV

    Mr. RPE,
    You're are wishfully thinking.....but stop it. Never, in this countries history has a man under such scrutiny changed this country for the better. It's nothing but jealousy....just admit he, Obama's a bad...SHUt YO MOUTH. Trust me on this, not one of those repudicans will get to the White HOuse. Jealous...Jealous..Jealous..get over it.

    January 5, 2012 05:37 pm at 5:37 pm |
  563. Catherine

    It would be so refreshing to hear a politician just once say, look I messed up and I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say that. Quit making excuses or worse, trying to lie your way out of it. The man is on tape and it's pretty clear what he said. No wiggle room. Put on your big boy pants and apologize.

    January 5, 2012 05:44 pm at 5:44 pm |
  564. Saboth

    Republicans do a good job of saying what they don't want to do, but don't do much to say what they will do to fix things. So, more and more people are on welfare, food stamps, etc. You know, many of these people have full or part time jobs? That they WISH they had a full time job where they were paid enough wages (not just minimum wage, because that barely covers the cost of insurance premiums these days, much less food and housing for their families). Yet, corporations are recording record profits. CEOs are earning 10,15,20 million a year. Wall Street has money coming out of the ears. It's easy to say people are lazy and just want welfare, but the fact is, jobs these day simply don't pay enough to support a family, even college-educated jobs don't, in many fields.

    So what's your grand-plan to make your corporate buddies play their employees real wages Repubs? Lower taxes on the already highly-profitable corporations?

    January 5, 2012 05:45 pm at 5:45 pm |
  565. AliTny

    Tongue tied and twisted. Just an earth bound misfit.

    January 5, 2012 05:47 pm at 5:47 pm |
  566. Asha

    Ok, but then on another show he goes on to say that he was watching a show about black kids the night before called "Waiting for Superman" he must have gotten confused. First of all "Waiting for Superman" was not about just black children, there were different races of children in the movie. He's a joke!
    President Obama has this one in the bag, keep up the good work Republicans.

    January 5, 2012 05:47 pm at 5:47 pm |
  567. John C from Long Island

    From the man that said "MACCACA"...."ummm, not sure what I said...but it wasn't the Black!" What a liar! What a racist! What a perfect GOP candidate- someone who says EXACTLY what the TEA-PARTY members think and feel! Goot Luck Mitt...no way you are gonna beat this guy now...

    January 5, 2012 05:48 pm at 5:48 pm |
  568. GailS

    Rick is full of it. He loves playing the race card. I'll be so glad when this election is over.

    January 5, 2012 05:49 pm at 5:49 pm |
  569. SixDegrees

    I'm sure what Santorum meant to say was “I don’t want to make those people who bear the mark of Cain's lives better by giving them someone’s money."

    January 5, 2012 05:49 pm at 5:49 pm |
  570. Whatever

    Santorum is stupid for saying that and singling out blacks. That said, a disproportionate percentage of blacks are on welfare compared to other ethnic groups. It's a fact, whether the race-warmongers at the NAACP like it or not.

    January 5, 2012 05:55 pm at 5:55 pm |
  571. FDA

    Sounds like he said "a lot of people's" lives better to me.

    January 5, 2012 06:04 pm at 6:04 pm |
  572. Falcon20

    From the abudance of the heart, the mouth speaks.

    January 5, 2012 06:05 pm at 6:05 pm |
  573. reelamerican

    All right Liberals He has apologized on several ioccasions for inappropriate comments about black ,gays,and any other non-white people who as i believe he said could not be related to him for complexionary reasons so get over it accidents happen WWJD

    January 5, 2012 06:07 pm at 6:07 pm |
  574. Tony in Maine

    This will play well with Republican primary voters. You've got to get by them to get to the big time.

    January 5, 2012 06:10 pm at 6:10 pm |
  575. bongiojf

    I know you will correct me if I am wrong on this but doesn't the NAACP get all its "pull" from promoting the same position? It seems to me the NAACP benefits from a general perception that black people are poor people. I guess they will have their cake and eat it too. On a related note, I do not know the context of the statement, he should have restricted his comment to the "poor" people without the additional modifier.

    January 5, 2012 06:17 pm at 6:17 pm |
  576. Jack

    He said black. It's not crystal clear but it is audible.

    January 5, 2012 06:19 pm at 6:19 pm |
  577. Republican, REALLY, REALLY hate women.

    With all the disgusting things this man has said, this is what people are worried about?

    January 5, 2012 06:33 pm at 6:33 pm |
  578. Johnny Cash

    I listened to the recording over and over again. He moves too rapidly on to his next word for it to be a word he wished he wouldn't have said. There was no pause. Also, study the audience. There is no real reaction from anyone...including the African American Gentleman holding the enhanced microphone with earphones to catch everything clearly in the background. People just looking for something.

    January 5, 2012 06:38 pm at 6:38 pm |
  579. Kahdir

    What did he mean to say???

    January 5, 2012 06:42 pm at 6:42 pm |
  580. John

    It's ok to be a Democrat, Republican, or anything else. But try not to be ignorant. Just watch the video. He does NOT say "black." He stumbles over the words "people" and "lives." Gimme a break people.

    January 5, 2012 06:46 pm at 6:46 pm |
  581. George

    Uhmmm that was definitely not a case of a mumble being misinterpreted. That was a pretty clear statement.

    January 5, 2012 06:47 pm at 6:47 pm |
  582. MaryClare McCauley

    i am a democrat, obama supporter. i do not think he said black. he may have been thinking it and stopped himself just in time.

    January 5, 2012 06:49 pm at 6:49 pm |