Santorum to North Dakota: Terrorists 'will bother you'
(CNN) - Rick Santorum warned a quiet North Dakota audience Wednesday that their state's booming oil industry positioned the region as a prime target for terrorism.
"Folks, you've got energy here. They're going to bother you. They'll bother you, because you are a very key and strategic resource for this country," the Republican presidential candidate said. "No one is safe. No one is safe from asymmetric threats of terrorism."
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Santorum pointed to Iran as the source behind future terrorist attacks, ramping up his rhetoric on a country he frequently discusses on the campaign trail.
"That's what Iran will be all about unless we stop them from getting that nuclear weapon," Santorum said.
He specifically cited a recent report from National Intelligence Director James Clapper, who indicated in a Congressional hearing that Iran may be willing to sponsor future attacks on U.S. soil.
His comments came the same day Iran unveiled new developments in its nuclear energy program, including its intent to start production of yellowcake, a chemically treated form of uranium ore used for making enriched uranium.
Santorum largely focused his speech at the Tioga Public School Gymnasium on North Dakota energy production, specifically the area's oil-rich shale rock formation known as the Bakken.
The former Pennsylvania senator pledged to eliminate Obama-era rules and regulations that he claims hold the region back form its full potential in oil production.
He also blasted the president for opposing the controversial Keystone pipeline project, which would run through North Dakota and carry crude oil from Canada to the U.S. Gulf Coast.
"You have a president who's not interested in science. He's interested in politics. Instead of doing something that is in the best interest of creating energy security for our country and economic growth, he plays petty politics and partisan politics and special interest politics," Santorum said.
The appearance was one of three events Santorum was scheduled to hold Wednesday in North Dakota, a state that holds its caucuses on Super Tuesday, March 6.
The state carries 28 total delegates.
Also see:
Gingrich: Santorum 'misunderstands' modern warfare
Santorum slams Obama administration as 'elite snobs'
Romney surrogates attack Santorum's record
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I almost feel bad for the republicans, but I can't because they brought this all on themselves. Hate and fear is not a policy.
Santorum is the only candidate worse than Obama. Romney and Gingrich are essentially the same as Obama (with only slight variations on some social issues that no one can agree on anyway). Santorum's foreign policy would make us more of a target and his rhetoric proves that his real platform is FEAR...this is dangerous. Somehow the extremists of the GOP call Ron Paul the fringe when 70% of America supports his foreign policy/ views on military and defense, and call for more government transparency. Messed up, if you ask me.
He claims our President isn't interested in science. This from a man who probably still thinks the world is flat. I'm sure everyone in North Dakota feels safe now. If not they need to remember this – Obama killed Bin Laden.
This is what bothers me about Santorum. A Wa dc Ethics group indicated that he was one of the most corrupt politicians in WA. He had an illegal charity which received $1million in donations but $524,000 went to his aides, fundraisers and lobbyists. Watch the YouTube video the gang of four starring santorum and Gingrich.
Let's scare the crap out of people then they will vote for the repo. Good idea. Hey the president is not interested in science. What does the pipe line have to do with that.?? I guess screwing up the envionment is not scientific either. This guy is a real crazy. Just who we need running for president. He doesn't believe in global warming,i guess that has nothing to do with science.
Oh, fer God's sake! The king of the paranoid, loony tune, over the top, right wing conservatives. Here comes the boogie man! Yes, we need to be ever vigilant in this crazy world. What we don’t need is nut jobs crying the sky’s fallin’ 24/7.
– Perry went down because of his "Ooops" gaffe
– Bachman went down because she liked to talk out of her behind, by listening to rumors and not doing any research
– Gingrich is going down like a rocket from the sky, after his "moon colony" idea.
– And Santorum is going down for this type of nonsensical comments that are more and more common these days.
– Romney is just putting himself in a corner... He has built the best trap to himself...
I
I will start my preparation for the party im going to throw at the Obama reelection, is going to be awesome!!! we'll talk about the good time when these republicans entertained us during their campaigning. Good times!
He is really, really scary & more so because people are actually supporting him! Dangerous individual! Hispanics 4 Obama! Si se puede!
Please do not come back to our state again! We do not want to hear all your BS.
Considering Obama has made many efforts to strengthen the STEM (Science, technology, engineering, math) sector of the education system. He even hosted the White House first and second Science Fair.....soooo to blatantly say Obama isn't interested in science is a lie. I am really sick of Santorum, he is all about eloquency but he sacrifices the truth.
How will they EVER fill all those jobs in ND with the shale companies if that Jerk keeps causing everybody to fear their own shadow?
WHY do republicans make up such stories? Death Panels, WMDs, Terrorists - get a grip. Get a brain.
Death comes as a result of having lived. If you're afraid of everything and everyone, you're not alive.
Who wants a president who tries to scare us to death. Santorum presents no new ideas and no solutions. He only plays on fear.
Ayatollah Santorum has resorted to scare tactics.
Whatever happened to that conservative optimism? Reagan must be spinning in his grave.
Didn't the trying to scare America into voting for you tactic disappear with the Bush presidency?
"Terrorist will bother you"?, how's that for a talking sock puppet – in a Mr Rodgers sweater vest.
Satanorum is an unclean frothy mess.
Ok, Sweatervest, what's coming first, the terrorists or the rapture? Jackazz
Here's an idea. I want to be president so tell you what, write down what I have to say to become president and I'll say it, whether it's true or even believable by the average voter. A tea party candidate talking about science. Go figure.
OMG
Only in America such and idiot could even think to become president....................
Only Tiger Woods wears clothing with his own name on it.
"Fear those Iranian Muslim jihadists! Fear them I say! It doesn't matter what hick town you're in! They are coming! They're making terrorist plans for Bismarck right now in some cave!"
This is the best the American Taliban can do?
The good people of N. Dakota won't have to worry because when Adolf Santorum burns their books and shuts down the tv networks they will never see it coming. By the time the Iranian nukes hit it will be too late and they'll be dead before anyone realizes what happened. Whats next Adolf, another great flood to cleanse all us sinners or will you part the waters so we can survive?
Iam sorry, but he says Obama is not interested in science for protection. This nimrod if he was president would not have a clue what to do if we got bombed, if another 9/11 happened. Remember Palin and McCain,if McCain wasn'taround we all wondered what she would do if we were in a crisis. Yee gads, I wonder how he came up with these zingers.
yes, they are republicans, terrorists, that are bothering us....true, true, true,
I liked the part where he says Obama doesn't believe in science... this coming from a man who wants christian sharia law in the US.