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Subscribe to RSSLADY LAKE, Fla. -- What started as a strong and well attended Rick Santorum town hall got sidetracked this afternoon as the presidential hopeful faced a questioner who called President Obama an "avowed Muslim" and protesters disrupted the event.
"He is an avowed Muslim and my question is why isn't something being done to get him out of our government. He has no legal right to be calling himself president," a woman asked, referring to President Obama.
Standing in front of a crowd of more than 250 mostly senior citizens, Santorum did not address the incorrect claim about the president's religion.
"Well yeah," said Santorum. "I'm doing my best to get him out of the government right now and she is right that he uniformly ignores the Constitution."
After the event, the former Pennsylvania senator told reporters it is not his job to correct every false claim that comes up during
questions. “Why do you guys ask these ‘Gotcha’ questions like it’s my job to go out and correct everybody who says something I don’t agree with?" Santorum responded to media inquiring about the exchange.
"There are lots of people who get up and say stuff in a town hall meeting and say things that I don’t agree with, but I don’t think it’s my obligation, nor should it be your feeling that it’s my obligation to correct somebody who says something that I don’t agree with.”
But that was not the only hiccup the candidate faced during his town hall here this afternoon. As the event was coming to a close, a
protester charged toward Santorum and attempted to throw a fist full of glitter at Santorum, but was stopped by security beforehand.
Attempts to "glitter bomb" Santorum have become a frequent occurance on the campaign trail as a way to protest his views on homosexuality.
How much time Santorum will spend in the Sunshine State is still in flux. Today, he indicated that how things go on the trail here over the next several days will dictate how hard he makes a push in the state.
But, regardless of how much he campaigns in Florida, Santorum has been clear that his candidacy will not end after the Jan. 31 primary.
"We're going to be in this race for a long time," he said. "We're planning already for Super Tuesday states and investing resources in states there. So this is going to be a long campaign, and we hope to do well here, but we understand this is a very, very expensive state."
While the Santorum campaign has enjoyed a fundraising boost since his Iowa caucus victory, his war chest still pales in comparison with that of rivals Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich.
Today, he tried to qualm fears that his candidacy might not have the ability to compete in the long term.
"Gov. Romney says 'I can win because I have the most money.' Does anyone doubt whoever the Republican nominee is will have all the money they need to run against Barack Obama? They will," Santorum said.
"There's absolutely no doubt that whoever the Republican nominee is will be backed fully, completely, and in our case enthusiastically by the base of the Republican party, the entire base."
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Let's condone lying for Santorum and adultry for Newt.
This looks like one more nail in the Santorum campaign coffin. He had one good election and now thinks he'll actually win. I have news, Rick, you got lucky. Maybe after Florida he'll drop out.
He says he supports the Constitution but the Constitution forbids a state religion and promotes antidisestablishmententarianism. In other words separation of church and state have been the intent of the founders and maintained ever since.
Ricks playing kissyface with Two Bit Mitts hoping for a cabinet job. His job is to play wingman fending off Newter.
Notice how Newter is making nice with Dr. Paul.
So it's becoming a TwoBit/Santimonium vs the Newter/Nut.
When tea party republicans speak we can hear your ignorance.
Whenever I hear someone start a sentence with "it's not my job" or "not in my job description" it really sets my hair on fire!!!!! I am so tired of hearing that phrase from everyone from the dog catcher and garbage man to the mayor.
Well, whose job is it to bring decency back to America?????? The people above who pointed out that the President is a Christian are right. However, we have no Christianity test for the Presidency! He could be a Muslim, a Jew, an atheist, a Rastifarian, a pagan, it does not matter, as long as he is an honorable person. The most important factor: don't be a hypocrite. Don't stand there claiming to be a man of God, then lie, cheat, steal.......... or claim that honesty is not your job! It is, it is!
Not only is he a phony as a leader but he is much a Catholic as I am French. He reminds me of the mouthy little kid in school making up for his shortcomings.
of course santorum will not correct stupid and ignorant statements from his followers. if they had accurate information and any dignity they wouldn't be his followers. therefore, it's in his best interest to keep them as ignorant as possible.
Thats why I always say.....
"What demographic knows the least about the Republican Party?- Their SUPPORTERS"
For those of you who come here daily and spew the most hateful, vicious, untruthful things about the GOP, I don't think you have a whole lot of room to even comment. When you have the guts to challenge one of your buds about false racism claims or the childish namecalling, then maybe you can comment.
dirt-yes you are.
Hey DIRT? False racism claims???? Really?? You're showing your own ignorance!
SAINT TUTU's moral dilemma, or moral failure?
Has Obama asked his followers to stop throwing fairy dust at the opposition?
Obama is not santorum's opposition yet...but if he were, Obama would barely need to show up, santorum is nuts imo, he would not win the Independent vote needed to win a national election
Santorum is not going to be president and he masterfully demonstrated one reason why he won't be.
This is how Limbaugh, Hannity and Beck make a living. By letting some pumped up caller tell the lie and then don't correct it so all their ditto heads and followers think it is now a fact since they didn't say that it wasn't.
Exactly!! Nice observation! Mindless clones!
This story to me isn't about what Santorum said but about what that woman said. There are actual people out there that really beleive this crap. Besides, even is President Obama came out tomorrow and clearly stated that he was a Muslim, SO WHAT? There is only one thing in the constitution that clearly states no candidate shall have to pass a litmus test on religion to hold office. Why does this matter to this woman? Why isn't she worried about an evangelical being in office? They are all mentally impaired.
Not my job to correct false claims.
^ Only cowards hide behind lies.
Santorum you pseudo-Christian hypocrite.
There are actual people out there that really beleive this crap.
^ Because GOP cowards hide behind it.
I think Santorum is so desperate for any votes, that he won't do anything to upset even the most ignorant, racist people from voting for him. Talk about pandering to the lowest common denominator.
Rick Sucktorum has shown his true self. No wonder the voters in Pennsylvania kicked his sorry ass to the curb.
REPUBLICANS, OR THE JUST PLAIN GREEDY ; still just don't get it. life in america is not all about them anymore. trickled down economics is gone with that generation. the bush wmd admin. and the bankrupt america retards are gone. it's a new day, with HOPE AND CHANGE in the air. get used to it ditto nuts, we're taking over. PASS THE JOBS BILL OR YOU WILL PAY DEARLY IN THE POLES. SANTORUM THINKS REAGANOMICS WILL SAVE HIS PATHETIC HIDE. haaaaaaaaaa haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa !!!!!!!!!!!!
Not only does Santorum have problems. The low life that made the comments has serious issues.
A leader takes the correct position, whether popular or not, even if would suit his personal agenda to let the falsehood stand. A leader encourages others by example. A leader would not let a dangerous statement such as this unchecked. Santorum is no leader.
Sanscrotum is done. Now he can go "teabagging" with the rest of nuts.
seriously this is one of the LEAST offensive things santorum has ever said...or not said as the case may be...how is he still a viable candidate??? and I don't mean just during this primary,but since he was booted out of office by myself and my fellow Pennsylvanians?
Santorum claims to be christian.
Of course, beneath that deliberate veneer, he is spreading the word of Lucifer.
Beware. The god people cometh.
I am SOOOOOO SICK of the Republican Party CONSTANTLY complaining about being "falsely" accused of having racist elements in they're Party!!!! THIS IS WHY!!!! Reminds me of the Tea Party "gatherings" back in 2010!!!!
Scumtorum is the ooze. This is what the retrdican value voters go for. What a bunch of @!$%#s.
More evidence of his ignorance.