Santorum to Romney: 'Step up' and use 'potent weapon' of same sex marriage
Washington (CNN) – Rick Santorum is urging Mitt Romney to "step up" and weaponize the issue of same-sex marriage.
"This is a very potent weapon, if you will, for Governor Romney if he's willing to step up and take advantage of a president who is very much out of touch with the values of America," Santorum said in an eye-opening live interview with Arkansas TV station KARK, a CNN affiliate.
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The former presidential candidate made the remarks before appearing at the Benton County Republican Lincoln Day Dinner in the northwest corner of the state Friday night. Santorum's comments also came the night before Romney's speech before the Christian conservative Liberty University in Virginia on Saturday.
Romney's one time rival noted the recent results of a ballot issue in North Carolina where voters approved a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.
"Hopefully Governor Romney will continue to stand tall for his position on this issue and understand how detrimental it would be for society for it to have this changed," Santorum also told the Arkansas station.
"Governor Romney has to talk about his values," he added. "That's the most important thing."
On Wednesday, President Obama stated his support for same-sex marriage in reversal of his stance on the sensitive issue. Following the president's comments, Romney seemed hesitant to take on what he called a "tender" subject, though he did reiterate his view that marriage should be between a man and a woman.
Santorum's remarks also indicate the former Pennsylvania senator is not fully on board Romney's team. After a bitter primary season battle, Santorum endorsed Romney in a lengthy email to his supporters. But Santorum did not actually state his endorsement until the tail end of the message.
When asked whether he would be interested in running as Romney's running mate, Santorum demurred.
"It's one thing you don't campaign for – at least I'm not campaigning for," Santorum said.
So we are they getting married?
Two very sad individuals.
Yes Romney, take advantage of a President who keeps an open mind and tries to make America a tolerant country. Try to undermine that and set us back a good 60 years. Because clearly the America that you support needs to hate something in order to be united.
The gay marriage issue is a minor distraction. Romney's trump suit is immigration. We men arn't voting for you because you're cute and we are hot for you Mitt. We are voting for you because you understand Illegal and want fairness in the workplace. I can't say about the women. If I wanted to live in third world squallor I'd move to Mexico where I would be rich. I want this country with the law enforced that my father and I fought for
It's amazing how when you've decided to not vote for Obama or Romney you can stand on the sidelines in amazement watching all the rantings and ravings of the religious zombies, brand controlled fools, "ubber" faux patriots, political mercenaries and fringe idiots with maniacal agendas on both sides that have been brainwashed by the main stream media duke it out.
When you make that decision, all the political clutter, worthless chatter and acidic rancor suddenly fades away and becomes meaningless and you can concentrate on saving your assets and future from the thieves in Washington. The anger of not having full and complete power or being fooled by those who lied to you to get to power is replaced by a focused tranquility which guides as to what you need to do to save yourself and to profit from the sheeple on both sides being fleeced. Don't waste your intellectual energy and your mental health in this futile fight when the victory of either side will mean the same thing to your future. You will get screwed either way, it's just that the screw job will come from a different direction, one in the name of bigger government for "the greater good" and the other in the name of patriotism, tradition and "rugged individualism" with less government..
Both Obama and Romney are going to screw you, one through bigger government and ignoring bankster thief regulation, the other taking down government and laws and replace them with induced mind control patriotism and crony capitalist endorsed and supported bankster lawlessness.
Talk about a guy out of touch...............
Pathetic excuse for a human-being.
Listen to Santorum, Romney! America's bigots need a candidate too.
Santorum never had a campaign message that resonated with the public–much less the GOP, which is why he had fund-raising issues, for example. And Romney, terrible communicator that he is, would be a fool to listen to any advice from Santorum. Particularly advice that is as angry, hate-filled and discriminatory as this one.
Santorum is a moron who is clearly living in the dark ages. Wake up man. We are in 2012 here.
When santorum states "the president is out touch with the values of Americans", is he really saying that half of Americans (over 150 million) that support gay rights don't count. In other words more americans support gay rights than those who vote in a presidential race For either party combined. Either is stuck in civil war and dark ages era or is delusional. Neither tone is good for any American.
Yes, Romney, take the advice of someone who lost. Someone who is controlled by personal interest and special interest. Small minded trap!
ok in other words lets descriminate agienst the gays lets make the gays feel harrassed lets abuse the constution a little more and bring our religous crap into the picture pathitic people sad excuse for a person but its cool we all know where they wil end up and it aint looking good for em...
No Mr. Snatorum, Obama is not out of touch with American values, you are. America was founded on freedom of religion and equality which means you can't tell someone how to live their lives and force your beliefs on them.
51% of Americans approved of the decision, compared to 45% who disapproved.
Santorum is disgusting! He's not a good American. How can you use a population of people as a weapon? Sick!
The values of America? Are you serious, this country was founded with the hopes of liberty and freedom for EVERYONE not the selected few, the "God" fearing few. What this country needs is a reality check. We're falling behind other nations in important areas such as education and yet we have time to bicker about what two ADULTS do with their private lives. Again reality check.
vile, smug pigs! Christians are the enemy of the world. These people are filled with pure hate for everyone and everything. Jesus is a myth! Get over this stupid religion and move on. Christians are the enemy of the world. Period!
Santorum is a bigot..yes go ahead Romney use it deny people equal rights sounds just like you
"Out of Touch" ... the absolute definition of both these guys !!
Wow! Fear and hate as a campaign tool! Who would have thought that the GOP would come up with something so innovative!
As a straight man I support gay marriage – I choose not to be married – I don't want a bunch of conservative politcians telling me one day that I can't live with a woman unless we're married – I think this will happen someday if people like me don't put a stop to this nonsense of the govt telling people who they can and cannot marry.
Get outta here
Time to come out of the closet Rick.
Rick should mind his own business and not look in other people's bedrooms!