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PHOENIX, AZ -- Rick Santorum told a crowd of supporters here Tuesday tonight that "I will defend everything I say," a comment that took on another layer of significance as reports surfaced of 2008 remarks in which he said Satan is threatening America.
"I've been told that when you don’t read off a teleprompter, they may find a thing or two and say, 'Oh he said this and he might mean this' and the media complains so much about these structured candidates and how they are all so robotic. And then of course when they have a candidate that doesn’t do any of those things they say, 'Oh he’s really out there, you have to worry about what he says.' No you don’t, because I will defend everything I say."
The remark came after Santorum spent most of the day as the banner story on the Drudge Report website about a speech he gave at Ave Maria University in Florida in which he is quoted saying "Satan is attacking the great institutions of America, using those great vices of pride, vanity, and sensuality as the root to attack all of the strong plants that has so deeply rooted in the American tradition."
When asked to respond to the comments, he told reporters after the event "I believe in good and evil. I think if somehow or another if because you're a person of faith and you believe in good and evil is a disqualifier for president, we're going to have a very small pool of candidates that can run for president."
But pressed about the nearly four year old remarks, Santorum remained defiant. “Look, guys, These are questions that are not relevant to what’s, what’s being discussed in America today…If they want to dig up old speeches of me talking to religious groups they can go ahead and do so but I’m going to stay on message.”
The old comments add to a growing list and much more recent list of controversial things the candidate has said on the campaign trail.
Over the weekend in Ohio he questioned President Obama's theology and suggested the president discriminates against disabled people.
The remarks have drawn scrutiny from the media, but have been untouched by his rivals in the presidential race because they are lines that many times draw applause from the conservative electorate they are all vying for.
Instead, the majority of scrutiny Santorum has received is over his record on spending and the 16 years he spent in Congress.
In front of about 250 supporters at Tuesday’s rally, he said his chief rival Mitt Romney “has run as a liberal, a moderate and a conservative."
“I have never changed my views, ever," Santorum said. “See who will win and run as a conservative. I will ensure you that I will actually run as a conservative.”
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So he says he will run as a conservative. Let's face it folks, a politician will say anything to sway voters. The track record of performance once in the White House says that no matter who you are, the system continues unchanged, dysfunctional and broken.
God told Santorum to run in the Boston Marathon and he thought God said for him to run for President
Damn he is stupid
Anyone who truly believes in God, knows there is a Satan. We are told in the bible the things we come up against are dark forces (Satan.) We are told he roams the earth looking to destroy. But, God's provision and protection is greater than the dark one. If people have a problem with this, then quit saying you "believe in God." Do not call yourself a Christian. Satan isn't some spooky man in a red robe and pitchfork. He is seen in the lusts of the flesh (greed, fornication, idolatry, murder.) The bible says ALL sin is from Satan. And no one can argue that we are a very sinful nation. And it is getting worse. But, if we turn from our wicked ways and uphold God as THE one to look to, we will be covered by his protection. I haven't been a Santorum supporter, but I am starting to like him more and more. He may just have my vote.
Get a grip will you. The world is hard enough without inventing monsters to inhabit it.
The bible also says Satan blinds the unbeliever. And all wisdom comes from God. SO true. So true.
Please! Have you read your bible Satan comes in many forms........like Santorum! He is narrow minded and has misinterpreted the bible to match his own twisted views! God does not preach intolerance or disdainfor those who are not like you! God does not ask what your religion is before he helps you! God does not care! We are all Gods children and Santorum does not believe that his actions speak louder than any words he may say!
Well, my god is the Flying Spaghetti Monster, may his noodly appendage forever touch you.
And guess what? My deity is no sillier than yours.
Flying Spaghetti Monster, let your Holy Marinara Sauce Rain DOWN and wash away our sins!!!
See?
Megan, with all due respect to your beliefs, The Bible was written by men and heavily edited by papal leaders. It's a collection of parables with no historical basis. Don't take it too seriously. In order for our democracy to survive, we must remain a secular nation. We can't be a Bible based society. Live your life as a good person and hopefully you'll have a reward at the end.
Satan is a mythological scapegoat. When Satan isn't being used, it's real people- past or present. It's a leader, the people of a country, another race, another religion. Sometimes it's a made up group of people, like Satan worshipers. When it's not the Communists, rock and roll, heavy metal music, board games, witches and books about boy wizards... it's homosexuals, liberals, immigrants, non-Americans, Muslims, pro-choicers and a certain black President. Santorum is getting votes because he's connecting with the Christian Right and the racists, both of whom holds supremest beliefs of some kind and exploit our current troubles in hopes to climb to the top. Protestants and Catholics have a historic animosity for each other, but maybe Santorum can bring them together to make this a Christian *only* Nation and start a new holy war against everyone else.
My only fear is who's going to replace President Obama in 2016. looking at the field of players
Ricky:
They make both anti-psychotics and exorcisms for this.
I wish I found it amazing that so many seem to be offended by Santorum's remarks or even think them to be crazy. Look around around the world at all the messed up crap that happens, and if you can't see that evil exists, you are blind. This disease of moral relativism is taking society around the world straight into hell. There is absolute right and wrong, good and evil. There is a difference between tolerance of of other beliefs and tolerance of evil. Too many don't see the difference anymore.
"The greatest trick the devil ever pulled, was to convince the world he doesn't exist."
I have been waiting for a candidate who doesn't flip-flop and stands by his convictions instead of folding to political pressure. If he is truly the man he seems to be, he is the leader this country needs.
Please! Have you read your bible Satan comes in many forms........like Santorum! He is narrow minded and has misinterpreted the bible to match his own twisted views! God does not preach intolerance or disdainfor those who are not like you! God does not ask what your religion is before he helps you! God does not care! We are all Gods children and Santorum does not believe that his actions speak louder than any words he may say!
Drink the koolaid much, Super Bon? You are right, God does love all people, but he does not love what all people do. Have I read the Bible, yes, quite often, I base my entire life on Jesus Christ and his word, how about you? Love the sinner, hate the sin. Show me one confirmable link where Santorum has said he hates or even dislikes any group? I believe homosexuality is wrong, but I don't hate homosexuals, I believe abortion is murder, but I don't hate mother's who have aborted their babies, I disagree with liberals, but I don't hate them. You can be intollerant of actions and ideas, but still love the people. This is what Jesus believes. He died because he loves every one of us and came to save us, but he told every sinner he spoke to including those he saves today, "go and sin no more."
By the way if you want to see intolerance, just look at your annointed one "Obama." I have never seen a more divisive president in my lifetime, he tramples on my beliefs every single day. Or is it only tolerance when you agree with what others say, and believe? I always thought it was tolerance when you didn't agree with others.
Than maybe the Devil is getting his way by getting those most against him to work for him- You! You hate the sin, but hate the sinner even more. Check out recent history, it's not God's enemies doing the killing, it's his own people and all in His name. God's own people are doing the Devil's work when they are burning witches, bombing abortion clinics and flying planes into buildings. They are doing the Devil's work working against everyone else. Don't try to speak for Jesus because he's nothing like you and you are nothing like him. Santorum knows how to speak, he won't just say outright that he hates anyone if he wants to be taken seriously in his attempt to take over the country. There are alot of religious extremists who have tried running for office to enforce their black and white views and fewer of them are successful today because the majority understands that our country is regulated by a secular government and the people, not the church or the dieties they pray to. Santorum is the current example of why religion doesn't belong in politics.
What??? Santorum questioned President Obama's theology and suggested the president discriminates against disabled people. I don't see that at all............I DO see the far right and the majority of the GOP discriminating against disabled people, the poor and people of other faiths and color. They are the biggest bigots and racists I have seen in America. President Obama is a better Christian than those speaking out against him.
Amen! Great post! Obama walks the walk! That is a true Christian!
If Santorum is Catholic, does that mean that he will follow the teachings of Christ and of the church as President? For example, is he going to be a tireless champion for worker's rights in America, fighting for just cause provisions in the work place? Will he strive to bring health care to all people, especially the poor, as Jesus wanted? Will he take a lesson from Pope John Paul or Mother Teresa and help increase food stamp availability for starving children and out-of-work adults here in the USA? Will he be like Sister Hellen Prejean and fight to outlaw the death penalty, thus saving the lives of many innocent people wrongly condemned to death? Will he fight to see that all people, not just the rich, can go to college and succeed in America?
I ask this, because I am Catholic, and these are the things I was taught at Catholic school. We read Pope John Paul's Encyclicles about caring for the poor, sick, and working class. We learned about the important role many Catholics played in the Civil Rights Movement. I hear only "no abortion, no gays, no condoms" from Santorum, but other than that, I have heard only anti-Catholic, and anti-Christian ideals coming from him or any of the Republican candidates (and republican voters, I suppose, given their screaming bloodlust for the death of the sick and uninsured during those debates). I'm supposed to buy that Santorum (who gave the least of all Candidates to charity) is the Champion of Jesus? I think the Bible warns about some evil figure that comes cloaked in the guise of religion.....I'll stick with following Jesus, thank you very much.
Health care for all....fair employment for all....education for all.....that is what true Christians believe.
Amen! Great post! Santorum is a fake Christian and giving true Christians who walk the walk a bad name.
I am Lutheran and I was taught to help those less fortunate (which should include affordable health care and education for all), love they neighbor, turn the other cheek, show respect (many on the right do not show our President any respect) strive for world peace, money is the root to all evil (Super Pacs influencing our politicians and government should not be acceptable) separation of religion and government. I am really puzzled with the beliefs of Christians these days, what are they being taught in sunday school, bible class and church services? Racism, fear, disrespect, HATE, greed, selfishness???
I've been listening to the 'pundits' recently saying that their advise to the current crop of Repub candidates is to stick with talking about the economy, jobs, ect. That the media is 'stirring the pot' by bring out the candidates stances on the social issues. Notice that in the article Santorum is trying this. He states that "those questions are not relevant" and "I'm going to stay on message".
Well, in my opinion those questions are very relevant. Yes, the economy is very important but I also want to know that any candidate for the highest position in our government has these social stances and just how far they may be willing to go to implement them. Far too many times we elect someone who may match our economic ideas only to have them turn around and take that as a mandate to change social issues. Social issues never brought up in the campaign.
We, the people, need to know where the candidates stand and whether they intend to try to implement them. I'm tired of fighting the same battles over, and over, and over...
I agree, for example, what happened in Wisconsin with Scott Walker. It was never mentioned when he ran for office, what his hidden agenda was once he got elected. That is dirty! Same thing going on in Oklahoma and Indiana with women's rights, it was not an issue when these guys ran for office and now women are having to fight in these states for the right to use contraceptives etc...... Seems that many of these Republicans have secret agendas that they implement after they get into office. I don't trust any of them!!!
Dear mr. santorum
When will you understand that when people call you a perfect ass, it is not a compliment?
Santorum is a fake Christian! He is a narrow minded anti-American destroyer! If you have ever read your bible it tells you to beware of these fakers.
What if a protest day were declared across the u.s.a. against Santorum's stance on contraception. If women with WOMEN'S RIGHTS signs gathered in their home downtowns, the crowds would be historic!
I think women need to do that now, and not wait until it is too late. The men in their lives should also stand by their sides to support them!
Cue the church lady..
"Could it be... umm... Satan?!?!?!?"
Teapublicans,.. Americans new entertainment guild..
Governor Romney would be wise to take time out of his campaign day and pray that Senator Santorum keeps talking. That will do more for him than any campaign ad he could blanket the airwaves with.
here is my question to everyone
Vote for someone who reads off a teleprompter or
Vote for someone who Does not read off a teleprompter
I would think the Politician that does not read off a teleprompter would be more sincere and genuine with his beliefs and more courageous when it comes to sticking to their word.
A Teleprompter are not your words they are words to make you appear you know what you are talking about fake, phony words manufactured in away to not address the total issue
who uses a Teleprompter more Obama,romney,santorma,Newt
Who cares! The teleprompter is nothing more than speaking notes and outlines from years ago. Nobody, nobody ever get up to make a speech without notes. And nobody ever gets up to make a speech and memorizes it.
It's obvious that the people who continue to bring up the teleprompter 'stuff' either have never had to speak in front of a large audience or are simply grasping at straws because they have nothing else...
Oh, and to answer you question, deciding on how to vote based on the use of a teleprompter is the lamest reason I have ever heard of.
I'd rather someone who speaks the right words from a teleprompter than someone who says things that sounds better in their head than how it came out. Santorum seems pretty good at doing that... or he really needs to replace his speach writers.
Look, al you folks throwing glitter at this guy,save your money and any possible legal action. All you have to do, is to get 2 or 3 of you to show up at a speech dressesd as devils with red suits, horns, and pitchforks (better make the pitchforks out of soft rubber). This guy is "stick a fork in him" done. Although I very much agree with many posters here who say that "mainsteam" and "fly over" America swallows all of this stuff whole. That's why those of us who are smart need to be vigilant against those who aint.
Santorum is trying to anoint himself as head of the US Christian Taliban. He is as much a religious zealot as the Taliban leaders in Afghanistan. If he could, he would institute Christian law in place of secular law in the US. A religious zealot from any religion is a very dangerous and scary person.
Santorum may not be my first pick for President, but he is right on with this comment. Satan absolutely IS attacking deeply rooted values in America, and the importance of the family in society is target number one is the crosshairs.
We must remain vigilant against 'brains" like yours.
MylesC, Frothy is never going to be my pick, first or last. And as to Satan attacking the family values, well, look at the Party that coined the phrase "FAMILY VALUES." And Newt was in the forefront of that, along with the whole GOP. The baggers hadn't been invented then, but have since joined in those "family values."
And from the actions of those family values people, the list keeps growing and growing how Satan had already converted them to his side. Why not leave religion out of this? Well, here again, the puggies/baggers joined in with the Catholic Church, who has a record of protecting and hiding the child abusers.
So what is a person to think, Satan has taken over the leadership of the Church? We know Satan has corrupted the "family values" bunch. That record speaks for itself. Satan has also touched some of the Demo's, but those Demo's never spouted "family values" either.
Totally agree with you Tim McCain!
plstop, As they say, "better to read off a teleprompter and have folks think you are a fool, than speak extemporaneously and remove all doubt"
Great post!
Can't wait to hear him try to defend the indefensible.
Due to a printing error, it turns out Satin is the source of all evil. Gutenberg regrets the error.
Every president who has had access to it has read off of a teleprompter. And if one of the Republicans got elected, THEY would be reading off of a teleprompter.
And yes, I want someone who speaks for/to the entire country to have a prepared, thoughtful statement, not just an off the cuff set of remarks.
The U.S. is meant to be govorned by the Constitution, not the Bible...and it disturbs me that more and more our political leaders are judged by their religious beliefs, how Christian they are, who preached in their church, how they cherry pick sections of the Bible to support their own personal agenda, completely ignoring that the separation of Church and State is to protect Americans from the rule of one church, and not for the protection of a specific church.
I vote for Satan. Hell has the best musicians.
Satan? I mean really .... have to wonder who's wackier; Santorum based on the off the wall s**t he says or the looney tunes who clap.