Washington (CNN) - Rick Santorum trained his fire on President Barack Obama Friday during his much-anticipated speech at CPAC, hitting the president over the recent controversy surrounding health insurance coverage for contraceptives.
"They believe rights come from government," he said, with his family on stage. "The most important one they've been able to shove down the throats of the American public is the right to health care."
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While the White House said Friday it would find an alternative to the rule requiring religious institutions to cover contraceptives, Santorum took issue with the original policy, saying the administration was trying to "force" insurance on something that only cost "a few dollars" and had "no economic need."
Santorum's remarks reflected a steady theme of opposition toward the new rule at the conference, as several speakers have railed against the policy.
"This is the kind of coercion we can expect," he said. "It's not about contraception. It's about government control of our lives and it's got to stop."
Following his three election victories this week and a strong fundraising boost, the Republican presidential candidate predicted the GOP would win the election by making "Barack Obama and his failed policies the issues of this race."
He also took the opportunity to take a swipe at rival candidate Mitt Romney and called the former governor's Massachusetts health care program the "stepchild" of Obama's sweeping health care reform.
Turning back to his criticism of Obama, Santorum blasted the administration's policies on energy and climate change, arguing that Obama was trying to "dictate what lights to turn on and what cars to drive."
"They scare you by intimidating you to trust them and give you power," he said.
Also see:
Santorum says opposition to contraception rule doesn't restrict women's rights
Romney meets privately with conservative leaders at CPAC
As Santorum and Romney battle, Paul slams both as liberal
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From CNN Politics
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If the republican party were so concerned about our rights, next time they want to go to war, let us exercise our right to vote on it instead of misinformed congressmen. They claim to be pro life when it applies to babies, but they are so eager to invade other countries and allow innocent adults to be killed. As long as it is in the best interest of the corporations.
@Joi Gibson & @ call girl –
I agree.
Best place to start is allowing Truth to stew in his own hatred by refusing to comment on his hate baiting.
Truth wrote:
Woman's healthcare is EVERYWHERE and many times for FREE.
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Nothing in life is free. Either it is paid for by people with healthcare, or it is paid for by the government.
Ok. ok. fine Santo, let the conservatives select you as their nominee, and let the women who are oppressed keep their secret and wait until Nov. They will go to the voting booth individually and will make their choice individually as well without anyone knowing what is their choice. There is nothing worse than being bullied!
Truth wrote:
Why do women expect the government to FORCE a church to pay for something that violates the church's teaching?
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Why do conservatives expect people who are forced to comply and conform to their religion and not object?
Poor Mrs. Santorum. She looks like a " Stepford Wife " standing there.
As has been said before birth control is free for both men and woman, just take a bit of self control and dignity but if you can't stop yourself from screwing anything the moves have at it.
BUT I refuse to pay for your lack of respondsibility....that's the real question here isn't it........how can I get that for free?
If he really wants to get government out of our lives, how about advocating for the repeal of state laws that criminalize oral sex?
A Republican said:
What is he talking about. Wow! I never get scared of politicians but this guy scares the hell out of me!
Remember Michele Bachmann ? She was just as scary !
Watching the Republican idiots preaching to their choir is pretty funny and scary at the same time, but the majority will not give them support in th voting booth on their social issues and Obama is sticking up for womans rights and these impotent candidates are quickly losing any hope for the Independent vote.
Every time I see this man and his family, I think that his wife is his mother, and the daughter is his wife! I had to google pictures of his wife to see who was who. He likes his women old- no wonder the little one has so many issues, her mother is WAY past the age of having kids, its reckless and immoral!
So far they are talking about social issues only that mean conservatives agree Obama did a good job on economy
So, Rick, why is it ok for insurance to pay for some old fart's boner (Viagra) but not for contraceptives?
I know many Catholics and they all use contraceptives!!!!
and I am getting very tired of hearing how you don't like the fact that an insurance carrier can no longer deny coverage to a child for a pre-existing condition! I understand that you want that reversed so these big insurance companies can make higher profits!
We know who fills the coffers of your super PACS!!
The Catholic Church has one set of rules for all its members. Can someone show me a civilized country (catholic of not) where its government funded health care system does not include acess to birth control to all.
protestant theocratic, mormon finacial predator or catholic 3 time divorcee which do i choose? they are all so appealling!
Santorum has his head up the 12th century.
Why do liberals think they have the right to force other people to pay for things that violate their conscience? Seriously if you want to use contraceptives then pay for them yourself!
Regardless what you may believe, the constitution doesn't give you a right to health care and the government has no authority to force others to provide it for you. Ultimately the entire law will be found unconstitutional. Grow up you little babies and take care of yourselves!
Like I said, the Republicans want you to have all the kids you can and then after they are born forget about funding programs to help all these kids with education, health, food–you name it. Hypocrisy pure hypocrisy.........
Obama/Biden 2012–the only party with sense on life!!!!!!!!!
Liberals love to say conservatives force their values on others but let's be real, it's the liberals that are constantly trying to force their values on everyone else!
how in the heck can Santorum claim Obama is trying to dictate ANYTHING when he himself is on record for saying he wants to make birth control illegal? So basically he wants his nose in the bedrooms of America. Yeah let's make birth control illegal and watch the unwed mother bithrate rise meaning in many cases more children put on welfare. Or worse yet more abortions being performed. Sorry Ricky but the rythmn and withdrawl methods don't always work.
Santorum is NO Christian!
A Christian would not leave a man to die simply because he has no means to pay for this luxury called "medical care".
hurrrrrr durrrrrrr I'm an atheist so I'm gonna call anyone who is religious a fanatic hurrrrr oh non-existant god I'm retarded.
"Why does a candidate expect members of party to vote for a candidate that they are not excited about?", Rick Santorum at CPAC 2012.
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Good question. Better answer to why Republicans are not showing up at the polls, and why the GOP polls look like a roller coaster park.
Whether you like it or not the constitution does not give you a right to government provided health care or give the government the right force others to provide it for you. Seriously, if you want to use contraceptives then pay for it yourself. Grow up all you little liberal babies!
If it was a Muslim church complaining about this issue of birth control, the GOP would be screaming about the evils of Sharia Law. In their world, religious freedom only exists for Christians.
Did he say Americans don't have the right to health care?