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.
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Santorum doesn't have a clue about the "values of America"! He didn't when he was a candidate and now that he's trying to brown nose his way to VEEP, he is even more clueless.
"Out of touch with the vakues of America"?????
I am so tired of those who claim to speak for America. Why can't they learn to stand on their own two feet?
What a useless tool...I know, which one!?!
dumb... and dumber..
Can you imagine in 2012 a candidate saying to use the hate issue of racial integration, womens rights, or advocating preying on minority rights or any sort to further electoral gain? Yet half the US electorate tolerates if not advocates it. We are threatened by internal carzies the likes of which have not been seen since the antebellum South. The only thing missing are the white hoods.
Yes Santorum. Most people in America are so gullible they will believe in what you say. Particularly the moron and stupid. Think of why America is so behind in the industrial world in math and sciences. It's because of people like you who want the majority to remain stupid so they can vote for the GOP agenda. Much like the "Jesus Factor" Bush used hah to make stupid people to fear the non existence "GOD" I mean devil in disguise as God.
Keep taking advice from Santorum, Mitt. Note how well Santorum's opinion did for him in the run up for the nomination.
Psst. Mitt. Listen to Rick. PLEASE
Take advantage of a president who is very much out of touch with the values of America.
One of the key words here is " take advantage" and the values of America. Since when the values of America was to deny equal rights to our fellow citizens? From one loser to another.
There's a reason Santorum didn't move up in the race. His parent's and church did a great job in brainwashing.
"Lincoln Day Dinner". Santorum is a major example of why Abe wants to vote absentee for a Democratic ticket.
mitt is nothing but a coward and a bully he already knows that in the fall he win not win.the only one to blame is himself and the tea party.
It has finally dawned on me that republicans DON'T HAVE any values. None. Zip. Zero. Nada.
They simply want control of all wealth, circa the rich in Germany of 1932, and they are going to get it.
They will use whatever lie is expedient, and it will work. The retired fools that are voting for them?
Hey, it'll be someone elses' fault that they lose their social security/medicare. I now, more than in the
last 60 years of my life, see how things came to be in totalitarian countries like Germany after 1932.
Simply too many weakminded, greedy, and belligerent folks, that really don't care about anything but
stealing wealth from their country, and they have the ultimate power to do just that.
The only people out of touch with American values are these two clowns along with those who support their ideology.
Somebody needs to tell Santorum that not all Americans are as ignorant and Bible crazy as he is.
Santorum is very mean-hearted and divisive for a Christian. Guess it means nothing to be a christian these days.
Sanatorium, the man you want to take advise from on how to win in politics.
will not win
Yes, Romney take advise from Santorum (Google It) he is the gold standard in politics.
...because Santorum is just FULL of good ideas!
I hate politics because of stuff like this.. I don't really have much to say beyond that bc I don't want to get in a moral debate about gay marriage, but I think it is embarrassing issues such as this swing elections one way or another.
I'm sick of rich, out-of-touch Americans telling the rest of America what their values are. MY values are to help Americans that don't have the same rights and liberties that I have obtain them–that's what I value!
Santorum is so horribly off base. The majority of Americans have good hearts, do not hate, know the real history of marriage and have no problem letting more people get married. Love will overcome hate. Just like 100 years ago and the fight to make women more than partial citizens and the fight fifty years ago for blacks to get basic civil rights, the forces of old white men and their conservatism yet again think their hate and fear can hold back the tide of justice but they will be washed over and forgotten. Either you are with us, or you are on the wrong side of history.
Right... let's belittle other people's rights to gain the hearts of the American people. These people are sick individuals.
A loser, loser, loser giving advice to another going to be loser.