Lady Lake, Florida (CNN) - During a town hall at an American Legion Hall here Monday afternoon, Rick Santorum was asked a question about President Obama's religion that's been a common refrain amongst certain Republicans going all the way back to 2008.
"I never refer to Obama as President Obama because legally he is not," the woman in the audience began. "He constantly says that our constitution is passé, and he ignores it as you know and does what he darn well pleases. He is an avowed Muslim and my question is, why isn't something being done to get him out of government? He has no legal right to be calling himself president."
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Rather than disagreeing with the questioner or correcting her assertion by reminding her that President Obama is in fact a Christian, Santorum entirely ignored the more controversial parts of her question.
"Well look, I'm doing my best to get him out of the government right now," Santorum said. "And you're right about how he uniformly ignores the constitution. He did this with these appointments over the recess that was not a recess, and if I was in the United States Senate I would be drawing the line."
In talking about the constitutionality of the president's use of so-called "czars" to handle certain policies, Santorum even joked that the female questioner would "be the first czar I name," saying that promise should reassure the crowd that he wouldn't name any czars at all.
During the 2008 general election, John McCain was famously asked a similar question by a woman who called Obama "an Arab" at a Minnesota town hall, and he rejected the premise of her question.
"No ma'am," McCain said. "He's a decent, family man, citizen that I just happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues and that's what this campaign is all about."
During an interview with CNN Chief National Correspondent John King following the town hall, Santorum rejected the idea that it's his responsibility to disagree with supporters who call the president a Muslim.
"I don't feel it's my obligation every time someone says something I don't agree with to contradict them, and the President's a big boy, he can defend himself and his record and I'm going to go out and talk about the issues that the President and I disagree on and try to defeat him because I think that's the best thing that we can do for the future of our country," Santorum told King, in an interview for CNN's "John King USA."
When reminded of McCain's decision to publically reject such claims in 2008, Santorum said he's done so in the past, but doesn't feel the need to continue to do so.
"I think I have repeated that many, many times over the course of this campaign," Santorum said, of his efforts to remind people that Obama is a Christian. "I don't really feel an obligation to go out and repeat it over and over again as people bring that up. My position is clear, the President's position is clear, I don't think the President's a Muslim, but I don't think it's my obligation to go out and repeat that every time someone who feels that way says something."
Also see:
Romney takes aim at Gingrich in Florida
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Why do people keep embarrasing themselves with questions like this?
Rick would have earned himself a little respect if he would have actually pointed how how ridiculous it was and not kept appeasing the extreme nutbags in his audience.
good bye Rick.. Palin, Bachman, Perry, and Cain are all waiting for you. Thanks for disrespecting OUR President, and showing the country why YOU don't/won't ever be good enough hold that office. And if that woman still thinks that way about OUR President, then the Republican voters truly are S.T.U.P.I.D.
Obama +4 More.
Republicans in Florida represent the dumbest of Americans. Leave to gutless Santorum to not correct her. Even McCain had the balls to point out that was lie.
Oh and being Muslim wouldn't even be a reason he couldn't be president anyway....
There is no law that says the president has to be a crazy christian.....
Wow ppl still on that obama muslim thing smh sad
I have to admit, we have our share of bigots in Florida, and I am embarrassed.
I guess if only 10 people show up to your town hall, don't make them angry.
Yeah obama was used musilims of his preacher
Why musilims was killed people army at fort hood texas
On one hand I cannot blame Santorum for ignoring the ramblings of a crazy person. But as the GOP has either tacitly encouraged such nonsense to be said about a sitting President (through Fox, Rush, Beck, etc.), or actively encouraged it through their TEA Party, a politicial of any stripe should have corrrected this woman.
These are YOUR supporters saying these things. No one is asking to go out and repeat on the stump. But when asked by YOUR supporter, what's wrong with correcting them? Wouldn't Mr. Santorum want the same thing if people questioned his Christianity?
BTW – people call themselves Christian, but then do exactly what the Bible says NOT to do and that is "judge" people. President Obama has repeatedly stated he's a Christian and believes in Jesus Christ, but yet people question that....and then wonder why people question them as a "real Christian" because real Christians don't question others "professed" faith.
Sad Delusion
A Christian who is betraiting another Christian don't deserve a place in the White House.
A good President is President of every American, the intellegent and the stupid like this woman.
Obama is such a President.
Oh, Florida, you never cease to amaze...
That woman, if the President is really who she says he is, would be in jail or dead right now in any other country. Lucky her that she and this idiot santorum who doesn't have the balls to stand up to false accusations against our President. If you knew anything about our system you would know that the President can do what he did. It's the rethugs who brought in a few of their minions to pretend that congress was in session.
You have an obligation not to continue to spread the hatred and unfounded fear that the AK bimbo started. You will NEVER make it to the WH. I was going to say you can drive past it, but you can't anymore either.
Glad to see that the US is still full of imbeciles starting with the teapublikan candidates.
That "Obama is a Muslim" crap didnt work the last time so oh well!
The fact that there are still small brained, backwards, paint chip eating people out there who think the president is a Muslim is almost as scary as this prejudiced, bigoted, religious fanatic winning the nomination.
A true patriot would stand up for his president, no matter political affiliation. That woman spewed lies – none of what she said had an iota of truth. Funny, the most committed Christian in the presidential race is Pres Obama, and the American Taliban and conspiracy nuts just can't deal with it.
Why would he correct her, he knows the ignorant right will support him and as long as he plays to them he will get their vote however, he will never be President
This is infuriating. What's wrong with people? How can Santorum say it's not his job to point things out to people when he DISAGREES with them. This is not a disagreement – it's an abuse of the actual facts. McCain is clearly a bigger man than this guy. Simply not addressing the bigoted throughline in his questionner's statement is cowardly. His silence amounts to an endorsement of her own stupidity.
spot on
What's worse- the fact that Santorum draws such ignorant people to his events or that Santorum, as a candidate would not defend the fact that Obama is legally our President and not Muslim?
And when he was in office, why didn't he fight agianst other recess appointments ( which they were legally on) Face it, Obama is too smart to have not waited. you can't say he is a liberal elitist and not know those laws.
As for the lady – Please enact a literacy law for voting!
Here we go again......what is with the ignorance in this country???? and the GOP keep fueling this
If this ignorant woman is representative of the kind of people that attend Santorum's rallies, and the fact that he did not come down hard on her, God help us if this man ever gets elected President.
The short answer is "Lady you are full of crap, I win't talk that way about my President and like it or not that who he is until I take over the job in 2013" That's what I would have said: if I were foolish enough to think I could do a better job.
Santorum should be ashamed of himself. It should be the responisibiliy of any decent citizen to address and denounce such preposterous and dangerous allegations, especially among those running for the office. McCain was right when he denounced a similar question in 2008, but Santorum, in his silent agreement to the misaligned questioner, brings shame and embarassment upon himself and the GOP. I will NEVER give respect to Santorum or his party until he and they treat those on the other side of the political aisle likewise.
Can we take up a collection and have this woman declared brain dead? The next thing you know she'll be trying to tell us that the earth is flat.
Wow. Are the crazies coming out from under their rocks again? Santorum showed no class, no bravery and no honor by not calling that idiot out. As Americans, we need to honor truth and plain talk. Folks that call our President a muslim are traitors.
O.K. people, let’s not plant the actors and the actresses in the room to heighten the drama when you are falling.
How could Barack HUSSEIN Obama be a Muslim ... when he spent TWENTY YEARS in Jeremiah Wright's anti-American, racist church ???
I hope that Rick Santorum "let her rant on so that men know she was mad".
These backward, knuckle-dragginhg, ignoramos, bigots i.e. (apostles of hell) will just have to die out.
They sure grow them stupid in Dixie. Santorum will also get his comeuppance for his bigotry.
the racist, don't realize tim mcveigh was a good ole christian, or so he claimed as the kkk, terrorism didn't jus start, so what the hell is wrong with being a muslim, people of all faiths have exacted terrorist acts
Oh what a coward Santorum is. He dare not even correct the ignorance of people for fear he might lose their support. This is the type of person we want as President? I sure don't think so. He should have the courage to correct people who show their ignorance. John McCain, though I did not vote for him had the courage to stand up to these people and for that he deserves credit. Santorum, as I said, nothing more than a coward.
Well, if he didn't see the writing on the wall this past weekend, he certainly will following this major screw-up. It is your job to tell the truth, but that hasn't really stopped you has it, ricky? You're done. Not only are you done, but you are now toxic as a VP potential. "Silly rabbit. Tricks are for kids!"
...Santorum has the gall to criticize the Obama as a leader. John McCain is the leader. Santorum is not fit to shine their boots. And this is the kind of candidate the party of values has to offer? No wonder they are at war with themselves.
One reason why none of these GOP nutbags will never win!No Class!
What planet are these people from? Good grief! Bush destroys our country, Obama is trying to save it, and the only thing the president's detractors can say is a lie?
These people really are in the low I.Q. Club, aren't they?
I don't know which is worse, the unbelievably stupid statement/question from that grossly misinformed woman, or the irresponsible response from Santorum. Here was an opportunity to show us what kind of a leader he would be. On second thought, maybe that's just what he did.
The Republicans will never rebuke people with insane theories about Obama. They want to encourage the craziest ideas they can find, because they want people whipped up to a constant state of rage and hate.
logicin LA: Enact a literacy law for voting! Absolutely! Before you can register to vote, you should pass a test similar to the one immigrants have to take to become citizens. The sad part is that more than 50% of Americans would probably fail it.
This reminds me of the old saying – ‘you gotta dance with the one that brung ya’. This woman represents what the GOP has come to embrace – anger, resentment and willful ignorance. The current crop of candidates reflects those values.
Obama 2012 – Because logic is always a better choice
So, there it is. Two so-called Christians feeding off of hate with their words and "not my obligation" remarks.
Some wonder why Gingrich is rising in the polls This is exactly why. He tosses out the "red meat" at every debate, in every speech, on every street corner, and, as we have witnessed, the crowds roar. She is a perfect example
of how they eat this stuff up and believe what is said. Ignorance personified.
How a candidate conducts himself while travelling the Country is a great test as to how he would conduct himself as
Commander in Chief. We already know Gingrich has no class, compassion, useful intellect, and no
experience in foreign affairs. Santorum has just joined him in the loser category.
Republicans running last year did not condem people like this!They encouraged it to win! Why try the same tactic?It want work this time either! Obama 2012!
How convenient, Rick. I'll bet you'll defend Gingrich when someone calls him a hyper-lobbyist; since you brown-nosed him after he won the SC primary. Sounded to me like you want to be his VP if he wins the nomination. You're an example of how disrespectful this county has been and is toward PRESIDENT OBAMA. This country didn't disrespect NIXON this badly and he had to resign he was so corrupt and criminal. Let's speak truth. PRESIDENT OBAMA IS THE MOST DISRESPECTED PRESIDENT IN THE HISTORY OF AMERICA and don't tell me because he's doing such a bad job. No president can get anything done when republican representatives and senators say that making the President a one-term president is their primary goal. That's never been said about a PRESIDENT in our history. And, we have 3 years' of evidence that the republicans have been hell-bent on doing just that by being derilic in their duties as members of congress. Remember, Congress has a worst approval rating than PRESIDENT OBAMA. Rick, you're no different from the typical republican. Same old crap, different day.
must be something in ocean air or the fog
Here's the proper response, courtesy of Barney Frank: ""On what planet do you spend most of your time? Trying to have a conversation with you would be like trying to argue with a dining room table... I have no interest in doing it."
Whether you like it or not Obama is half Muslim. Hiis father was a Muslim and also he was brought up in a Muslim home when he was growing up in Indonesia. He may not be a practicing Muslim but he has a heritage from the Muslim religion. That being said, why is CNN making this a issue because the democrats are always discussing Romney's Mormon religtion. So why is it okay for Romney's religion to be scrutinized and not Obama's. The main street media is so one-sided on Obama's side that it makes me sick. If Romney's religion can be discussed why cant the same thing happen to Obama with his Muslim heritage.
Oh my goodness! It really concerns me that there are people in this country who are so ignorant and spew lies as though it were fact, to simply bolster their opinion.
As for Santorum, SHAME ON HIM. You sir, are running for President of the United States. I would be sorely disappointed if you won however I respect the office enough to accept and defend you as our President. I would hope that a 'Statesman', such as yourself, would be able to rise above the fray and do the same courtesy to President Obama. Oh and by the way, the reason you are not in the Senate doing something about it is because you lost the votes, probably around the same time you lost your integrity and became a politician and not a representative of the people. You are accurate in one assumption, that you don't have to correct every little thing you don't agree on but at least have the courage to stand by the truth and that is, quite simply that President Obama is the PRESIDENT, regardless of uneducated point of view of that lady. It would be a sad day for America, when a man who lacks the conviction to correct an ignorant statement put out for the world to digest, could become President. I may be for the Democrats but I would stand behind Ron Paul, Mitt Romney or Newt Gingrich before I would ever stand behind your campaign. A truth remains a truth, even if you lack the strength of character to recognize it.
If this dimwit broad doesn't believe Obama is legally President, it would has been a futile attempt to get her to believe he
wasn't a muslim. That's just the nature of psychotic behavior. But Rick Santorum should have at least tried.
coming soon to a town near you in florida, bigots r us. We hate anyone with a different "hue" to them and we hate anyone that disagrees with us. Let us live our lives the way we want as we tell you to live your life the way we think you should. yes, we are bigots r us (aka GOP)
Intellectually dishonesty is not his strong suit.
. . .And what if he was?
were you the brain dead woman in the crowd?
The issue is less about whether Rick Santorum agreed or did not agree with the speaker. The larger – and more dangerous one, in fact, – is that the GOP attracts, enables, and mobilizes people like this woman. There is one thing worse than ignorant bigots – people who actively allow the ignorance and bigotry to never be called into question....which is what Rick Santorum did today and which the GOP does EVERY day. Shame on Rick Santorum...but a greater shame on the entire GOP for not shutting down people like this.
I didn't have much respect for him to start with-he just blew what was there out the door. Have that many people forgotten that our country was founded on freedom of RELIGION? Even if he was a Muslim it shouldn't matter. Agree with someone back there-he's a far better Christian than some people I know who only profess to be.
OBAMA/BIDEN 2012
O.K. people, let’s not plant the actors and the actresses in the room to heighten the drama when you are falling. Newt used that trick with the Fox News debate, Juan Williams (who by the way are good friends). Plant the questions that will make them rise up for the occasion and get a little mileage! O.K. that is such an old trick! This woman got paid to say that stupid mess about our President.
Fact! This man Rick, the stupid, dwindling and worsening in his campaign and want recover or any other Republican candidate doesn’t measure up to the character or wisdom of our President.
To Maggie,
Ahem. Mulsim is not a genetic trait. Muslim is a belief system – like Christianity. And, my friend, if you are born again (which I would assume, considering your obvious concern about President Obama's faith) then you would already know that.
Cue the banjo boy from Deliverance in 3...2...1....................
Unfortunately, in order to energize their base, the GOP/FOX political block are compelled to nurture ignorant racism, even if its delusional psychosis. Just listen to the NRA cry that Obama's going to take their guns away. Ah, the banality of evil.
Shame on you Rick Santorum. You've sold your soul for a vote instead of speaking out against racism and bigotry.
Santorum is a small man whose 15 minutes are just about up.
8.5% unemployment rate doesn’t bother them
Deficit doesn’t bother them
High Foreclosures doesn’t bother them
Only one person worries them is Obama
President Obama will win re-election in Nov 2012
At least McCain had the decency to correct a similar crazy person spouting that manure at one of his rallies four years ago. So Santorum has just proved he has less decency than McCain.
@Maggie I don't even know where to start. Romney IS Mormon. Obama IS Christian. There is no quid pro quo here. The only issue at play is the insistence, against all evidence to the contrary, that Obama is Muslim. BTW, I believe the 'Muslim religion' is better known as Islam. But maybe that's just me.
He doesn't lose points in my book for ignoring the absurd, racially tinged question. But he also didn't gain any points.
OBAMA 2012
►Santorum ignores charge Obama is a Muslim◄
Yes, a "birther" at its best – his cup is full to the brim
He tries to "cover up" the racism while using fake concern about the Blacks
Listen to him in the debates, Blackness roles off his lips like he’s got our backs!
He had a chance to correct this woman – just like McCain did in a meeting at a Town Hall
His real message would still have gotten through and he would be still standing tall
But he chose NOT to state the facts “fearing” he’ll lose some of his “so-called” ground
And does he really cares? NO!! He’ll do it again when the next “opportunity” comes around
It all “leaks” out slowly and the candidates from the right just can’t help themselves!!!
Obama 2012
With Christian role models such as Rick Santorum, it's no wonder more and more people, particularly the educated young people of our country, are rejecting religion and becomes more open to accept atheism . It's a sad day for America that a man like him actually was accepted as a possible candidate for the Presidency of our country.
he would rather let the lies sit there unchallenged. It fits the narrative of the republicans want the dumb electorate to think this way. He has no personal integrity. He would have corrected the premise of the question if he had.
They are Republicans...enough said.
I hope he's asked about this in the debate tonight.
McCain had class.
Santorum? Not so much.
I cannot believe I am saying this, but...any chance someone could recruit McCain to run this year? At least he was a decent man. Santorum is too blinded by his own self-righteousness to refuse to tolerate such disrespect and nonsense. The rest of the Republican field is no better. I'm afraid his (McCain's) kind are becoming extinct.
Mr. Santorum has every responsibility to correct every mistake that is told by supporters in his presence. He cannot run away from the topic just by saying 'I am not responsible and the President can defend himself'. Of-course the President does defend himself and will once again astoundingly win the re-election. Congratulations! Mr. President you have the support of many good citizens.
Disgusting. Santorum shows no spine at all. He's a candidate who shames all Americans.
He stood silent while someone slandered the President of the United States. What if the women quoted scripture justifying slavery and racial segregation? Silence in the face of evil???
Sounds like his moral character is a frothy mixture of political opportunism and religious pandering. Full of air and it stinks.
Santorum doesn't have any stones; if he did, he would have respectfully told this woman she's off her rocker for insisting on believing this nonsense.
The fact Rick didn't have the guts to you correct that nutjob woman was shameful.
This is why this man can never be president. John McCain corrected a lady who thought Obama was Muslim and it garnered him more votes. I guess this is Rick's Christian way of doing things. No wonder they changed his last name to a body fluid!
no comment
this IS 2012.....right????
Never mind if this woman was planted or is so delusional, there are too many people like that – very sad! But it is Santorum’s reaction and that of the GOP/TP clowns in general when bashing the President that you should take a close look at. This is also a question about YOUR character. Are you in support of distortion, dishonesty, disrespect, irresponsibility, and hate? Never mind the “solutions” the GOP candidates try to sell you? Voting for the GOP/TP is not only a vote against all decency. It is a vote against the future of the US!
When John McCain was faced with this situation three years ago, I gained alot of respect for him in the way he handled
this question irrespective of the fact that he was seeking that lad's vote! He CORRECTED her ignorant statement! Rick Santorum, what can I say! For me, after a number of bigoted statements he recently made, standing there and just smiling, ignoring her "ignorant statement" for me was the closing of HIS political coffin! God help America of HE ever became President! Did not even have the guts to stand up for someone whom he knows is a fellow Christian. Or does he? Maybe he secretly endorses her analysis that Obama is a Muslim! Really sad!