Posts Tagged ‘Santorum’

Santorum explains his craven response to supporter calling Obama “avowed Muslim” and foreigner

January 24, 2012

 

Rick Santorum explained today why he didn’t challenge the woman who, at a Santorum town hall yesterday, pronounced President Obama a foreigner and a Muslim.

“I’ve said repeatedly that President Obama is not a Muslim and he’s qualified. It’s not my responsibility to defend the President. I’m not here to defend the President against scurrilous attacks. It’s not my job, it’s yours [referring to the media]. It’s your responsibility to defend the president, not mine. When the media and others say lies about me and call me names and do things … it’s OK and, in fact, it’s promoted and encouraged and made fun of when we do it. Stop it.”

Santorum was being questioned on MSNBC’s Morning Joe program by political writer John Heilemann, who then pointed out that John McCain had responded honorably in a similar episode during the 2008 campaign. Santorum responded indignantly.

“It’s very clear. I am not John McCain. I’ve never been like John McCain. I’m not running as a candidate who’s anything like John McCain.”

Amen.

 

Advertisement

Santorum just smiles as supporter calls Obama “avowed Muslim” and foreigner

January 23, 2012

 

Rick Santorum is no John McCain. I can’t imagine the right word for Santorum—spineless? craven? sleazy? When a woman at a McCain rally in 2008 started to go off on Obama, saying,

“I can’t trust Obama. I have read about him and he’s, uh . . ., he’s an Arab.”

 McCain shook his head and scolded her

“No, ma’am. He’s a decent family man and citizen that I just happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues and that’s what this campaign’s all about. He’s not [an Arab].”

McCain’s rejoinder drew some boos and “C’mon, John” from the crowd, but McCain had done the ethical thing.

Today at a Santorum town hall in Florida one of his fans raised her hand in the Q&A period:

“I never refer to Obama as President Obama because legally he is not.”

Laughter and cheers from the crowd, and a smile from the candidate. The woman went on.

“He constantly says that our Constitution is passé and he totally ignores it. He does what he damn well pleases. He’s an avowed Muslim.”

Applause from the crowd, a continued smile from Santorum. (more…)