Santorum defends signing marriage pledge
(CNN)- GOP 2012 presidential hopeful Rick Santorum struck back at criticism of his decision to sign a controversial marriage pledge earlier this week, maintaining that the vow solidifies his commitment to campaign promises.
"When we sign these pledges, that is what we are doing, solemnizing our words," former Pennsylvania Sen. Santorum wrote in a USA Today editorial published Thursday. "We are asking our fellow citizens for the most precious commitment they can give in a democracy: their vote. In turn, it shouldn't be too much to ask that we offer a guarantee as well. With all candidates say and do, we should not shrink from offering our civic commitments, either."
The pledge penned by Iowa-based socially conservative group, The Family Leader, required signatories "to defend and to uphold" the institution of marriage as between one man and one woman.
Santorum and fellow GOP presidential contender, Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann came under fire this week for signing the pledge because its original preamble included the assertion that black children born into slavery had better family structures than black children today. The portion was later taken out.
In the USA Today piece, Santorum defended his decision to sign saying it reflects his commitment to campaign trail promises that he will be held accountable for when elected to office.
"Every candidate has heard the cynicism about politicians: "Oh, they will say one thing now, but just wait until they are elected." A lot of that is true about too many politicians and elected leaders. Pledges are our way of saying: "Not us," Santorum wrote.
Other Republican 2012 hopefuls, Tim Pawlenty, Mitt Romney, and Jon Huntsman announced this week that they will not sign the marriage vow.
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Because gay marriage is the most important thing facing our country.
"In turn, it shouldn't be too much to ask that we offer a guarantee as well. "
Nope. I vote for people based on the belief that they have the intellect, education, judgment and scrupes necessary to evaluate the facts, evidence, historical record, science and expert opinions and then make a rational, throughtful, reasoned decision as to what the correct course of action is. These pledges indicate a lack of any of that. Rather, they are promises to always ignore reality and deem it irrelevant such that the ideological instruction manual always controls. Autopilot for grifters.
I can't take anything seriously from a man who last name means anal lube foam. Look it up.
How about a pledge to never send another teabagging dolt to congress. Wanna sign up?
and that's why you could NEVER win over the majority of America! you are way out of step today, and even more out of step tomorrow!
These pledges are such a bad idea. Legislation is so often about compromise. I don't want a legislator or president that has his/her heels so locked in to one position that he/she refuses to budge. That's not how you move the country forward. That's not how things get done. That's not an appealing trait.
When is Santorum going to defend his words and actions as a hateful, lying GOBP bigot? Oh yeah, and do us a favor Oh Frothy One, tell us what sacrifices you are asking corporations and the filthy rich to make while you ask the rest of us to sacrifice.
What about the fact that the pledge contained language about how blacks were better off in slavery? Fox news tried to write that one off as him not having read the pledge. If he didn't read it before he signed it, what else won't he read before he signs?
ricky, don't worry. It doesn't matter what you sign or don't sign. You will NEVER get close to the WH unless you are invited and even that is pretty much a moot point.
It doesn't matter what they took out about slavery you signed it with the paragraph about it. That says all there is to say about you.
Your other fellow "contender" also said that black families in 1860 were better off because they had a family unit. Unforauntely that family could be sold off in a moment's notice and that child might have been the child of the plantation owner. You people are really and truly living in the ugly past, aren/t you?
Rick will never even come close with his bid for POTUS. He don't qualify, don't represent WE THE PEOPLE and is just another politician that want to advance with no intention of doing anything GOOD for AMERICA.
Sorry, but you just don't cut the mustard
Independendt from Iowa
I support all candidates that sign a pledge that they will NOT sign any pledges. Anyone that signs a pledge belongs to a cult not a party, the pledge just means you wont listen to the people and will do what the party wants before what the people want, you the people that vote for you.
Today's GOTea is a religious party masquerading as a political party. Everything they do, every bill they pass, efveruy pledge they sign is with the express goal of legislating their krist kult book of allegorical fairy tales. America does not have, want or need an official government religion. That's why a mere 30% of voters self-identify as "Republican." The other 70% are rational and sane.
Is Santorum still running?
Google "Santorum"
Pretty Ricky isn't really relevant anyway in the GOP race. Just look at his poll numbers. He should be sitting on the sidelines with Newt very shortly.
Santorum and fellow GOP presidential contender, Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann came under fire this week for signing the pledge because its original preamble included the assertion that black children born into slavery had better family structures than black children today. The portion was later taken out.
"Every candidate has heard the cynicism about politicians: "Oh, they will say one thing now, but just wait until they are elected." A lot of that is true about too many politicians and elected leaders. Pledges are our way of saying: "Not us," Santorum wrote.
___________________
There's some reassurance. No matter what, Rick Santorum will always believe that slavery is better for black children.
Didn't you already sign a pledge when you got your marriage license and said "I do"? Or is that not good enough? How does signing this pledge translate to a guarantee? PFFFFTTTT. Just go renew your vows. Your marriage commitment should be to your spouse, not us, not some group. Anyone signing these pledges do not increase their chances of getting my vote.
What is it with these Republicans and their stupid pledges. None of them explain how they're going to make the economy any better or create jobs. They all seem to pledge to go against what they say – get in everybody else's business.
J & J... The google search for Santorum was a creation by a couple of people. That's not what it really means... But it is hilariously funny, right?
"Nope. I vote for people based on the belief that they have the intellect, education, judgment and scrupes necessary to evaluate the facts, evidence, historical record, science and expert opinions and then make a rational, throughtful, reasoned decision as to what the correct course of action i"
Looks like you messed up in the last election.
Glad that Santorum will be out after NH so we only have to listen to his right wing crappola for another 206 days. *sigh*
I will like to see Mr. Cain's response on the pledge.
I will only vote for a candidate who signs a pledge promising not to sign any idiotic pledges like this one.
Rick is too stupid to know of Murphy's Law which states that if something can go wrong it will. The 1st President Bush had the political courage to raise taxes after he swore that he would not after conditions changed. He knew that he would pay a price and he did when he lost to Clinton. But he now has the respect of every sane citizen of all parties. Rick is nowhere in the same league. Rich has signed so many pledges that should he win the WH, these groups would control him.
Wingnut limit tests. They are unhinged.