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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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i do not recall santorum commenting on the child molesting priests and the huge number of bishops and priests that covered it up? will mr rogers be commenting on that? he is not presidential material, he cares more about religion than americans. this is not iran
He probably meant 'santa'..............after all, he is a 'special needs' kinda guy.............
TY 79; UR a sick puppy and need help at once. Do not hesitate as it might be too late. Rick In-Sanatorum's views are NOT shared by most Americans. We live in a secular society by choice and by law. If you think that a bible thumper is going to save you and the rest of us UR delusional.
Without getting into the religious aspects of Satan and hell, anyone who does not believe there is both good and evil in this world must have their head in a bucket. It exists, but as someone else said earlier, you can't wage war on hell.
Good and evil exist but they're certainly not within the purview of a presidential candidate. If you need to be 'saved' consult your spiritual/religious advisor. The discussion has no place in a presidential campaign. Santorum has many loose screws and all he's doing is ensuring an Obama 2012 victory.
Marc, I agree that good and evil should not be part of the national debate when it comes to choosing presidential candidates. It was just an observation.
As far Santorum and how many loose screws he has, I lived in PA when he was Senator. 'Nuff said.
Annie, thank you for your honest post.
So how was Santorum as the senator of PA?
He was fired, let go, sent stepping.
Wow! I didn't know that!
Yes, good and evil exist. But to suggest there is a cloven hooved red skinned millenia old dude twirling his mustache and making us do evil things is ridiculous.
People are evil because they are evil.
To all of you "Devil" people, I only have this to say.....BOO!!!!!!
Santorum is just the correct person for POTUS. He's just so out there.
Oooppps, I forgot the word "NOT". Sorry.
Santorum was expressing his concerns about our society as a whole including the political system, its players and corporate master$ which has gotten worse than ever as ethics and morals decline to new lows. "Satan" exists in all of us with too many finding it easier to do wrong than it to be righteous in morals and ethics.
Some of our own elected leaders are prime examples of dishonest cheats and lying crooks making a mockery of their Oath of Office with greed and corruption taking priority. They are the problem and a part of the reason why we're in this economic and financial mess.
The bought and paid for media also are an extension of this process spouting what their masters wish to brainwash the masses with controlling us like cattle and sheep.
Wake up before this country falls into total decay and decadence as in previous great civilizations.
Good point and Santorum is one of those who are doing it! Satan comes in many forms and he is one of them.
Here's what a "double" fairy tale going on in someone's head sounds like: "Oh Sweet Jesus, save me from the evils of Satan!"
This guy is just another clown in the GOP. And sad for America that this is the best the Republicans can offer. They are dead on arrival as a relevant political party.
Isn't it ironic that athiests and agnostics rarely bother anyone but bible thumping so-called religious people are a pain in the ass
hahahahahaha! Atheists and agnostics barely bother anyone?!? What a joke! I see a story atleast once a month of somebody crying and filing a lawsuit because something is violating their "freedon of religion" which has turned into "freedom from religion".
Yep! I've noticed that about radical religious people, they ARE a pain in the butt.
We all have the right to be free from religion. Most of us don't want radical religious dogma shoved in our faces daily. I respect the right of people to practice their faith, just don't try to make laws based on said faith. Prohibitions against abortion, birth control and gay marriage are based in religious beliefs. People are free to reject these lifestyle choices. But please don't attempt to force these beliefs on the rest of us.
ohiomommy, there wouldn't be so many lawsuits like that if religious people would quit illegally shoving their beliefs on others.
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
This DOES NOT say anything about freedom FROM religion- in the way that Liberals make it out to be. IF they go ANYWHERE and see ANYTHING religious on a public property then they are automatically offended and it must be removed immediatly!!! And what happened to the second part about FREEDOM OF SPEECH? That apparently only works one way- the Liberal way.
ohiomommy, my religion is atheism. I have a right to practice it.
And the 'lawsuits' that you mention are about religious observances/signs/banners on state or federal land. Which violates the Constitution.
WHAT IS THE BIG FRICKING DEAL! This is a fabricated argument point by the Democrats to keep the topic off of the economy!! Obama has said he is a Christian, he doesn't agree with gay marriage, and is pro-choice, but none of this is a big deal. But, God forbid, Santorum says the same things (besides being pro-choice) and he is evil and everything else. And what is the big deal with the Satan comment? He said NOTHING wrong and refuses to back down just because he is being ridiculed for it- when was the last time we had a politician actually stand FIRM in his beliefs? This country is in trouble, and most Americans agree with that, and the root of the problem is that the morals are being stripped from this country every day and this needs to STOP NOW!
Please! Why don't you walk the walk buddy! That's the real problem I hear the lips flapping but no action!
ok, I'll play. Please give me your list of "morals" "that are being stripped from this country every day", so I can see if at least 2 of us hold something along those lines in common....(let's forget for the moment about the other 312 million Americans who just might have different views on "Morals")
@Tim- How about the moral of having/wanting a job rather than just collect entitlements? (More people on food stamps today than ever before). How about gays being able to be married? (Despite that when put to a vote in CA, arguably one of the most Liberal states in the US, people do NOT agree with it) How about the VP cursing when signing a big bill? ("This is a big f***ing deal") How about redistribution of wealth? (The 99% absolute BS) Did I make my point yet? I am not the one "forgetting" about the other 312 million Americans, the Liberals do a fine job of that!!
@SuperBon- He IS walking the walk buddy! It says in this very story, he WILL NOT back down from anything he says! This, despite what kind of criticism he get for it! When is the last time we had a politician who stood so firm in his beliefs?
ohio mommy...you want ricky boy and yourself to decide who is and isn't moral? If not, who decides?
Your totally missing the point. Your religious beliefs don't have any business in my politics, and neither does some idiot who questions other people's spirituality. Santorum must think his god is bigger than other people's and that makes his beliefs more important, or better? WTF?
The big fricking deal is that these theocracy believing politicians who can't stop talking about their god and the evil satan who makes people do bad things HAS NO PLACE IN MY DECISION TO CHOOSE A PRESIDENT, but the idiot keeps trying to call the President out on his "theocracy". I don't give a @!$%# what his theocracy is, just as long as he keeps it out of the politics, which he does. How, you ask?
He doesn't talk about his personal theocracy, nor does the President question other peoples' spirituality or beliefs.
I don't want some wacko nut-job who claims he's catholic and is waging war against the immorality in our country anywhere near the White House. If that's what he wants, he should start up his own damn church and stay our of public office.
So vote for Santorum, because YOU feel Americans are losing their morals. Vote for Santorum because he has strong convictions, and when elected he will CRAM his beliefs down our throats whether we want to believe in them or not. No thank you OhioMommy3, that sounds too much like the radical Islamics in the Middle East, "you believe or you die" mentality.
I don't think Americans have to worry though, about Santorum winning the general election, he is too far out there, he is not on the same wave length as mainstream American, thank heavens!
ohiomommy
Whose morals are being stripped stripped from our country? Certainly not mine. Morals are very subjective. Being pro choice is not immoral to most people. Believe what you want, just don't try to codify your beliefs into laws for all to follow.
sigche- You want to talk about CRAMMING beliefs down throats?!?REALLY? How about the Health Care that the majority of Americans didnt approve of, but they "gave" it to us anyways. How about gays/lesbians being able to get married in CA- that the voters rejected and they CRAMMED it down their thraots anyways? How about the fact that a Rassmaussen poll from August 2011 says that 55% of Americans think abortion is morally wrong, but we still have it anyways and some may argue pay for it in the new health care law and through Planned Parenthood government grant money? Or how about the Catholic church being FORCED to pay for contraceptions in their health care coverage even though it goes against everything they preach? NOW DO YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT CRAMMING THINGS DOWN THROATS?!?! I am not forcing anyone to vote for Santorum, that is why we have an ELECTION! Santorum is not trying to be INVOLVED in YOUR politics as you say, because I highly doubt you are the type of American he is even making an attempt to appeal to. Let's just wait for the election, let the majority decide, and then see what AMERICANS favor. Typical Liberal you are, you don't like someone/something so they need to just go away because YOU say so.
Here in Massachusetts gays and lesbians have been allowed to marry for several years. Trust me on this: No one cares. The ground didn't shake and the sun comes up every morning. As for being a liberal, I don't adhere to any one set of beliefs. Some of my positions are conservative, some liberal, most moderate. In other words, my beliefs are in the mainstream of society. I don't like or trust true believers, who ignore facts and just trudge ahead in ignorance to reality. Polls are fluid. I've seen many polls that show anywhere from 51-53% believe abortion should be legal in at least some cases. Mississippi and South Dakota, two very conservative states, rejected so-called 'person hood laws' as being to extreme. If there were a national referendum on whether abortion should be outlawed, it would be rejected.
Great response ohiomommy3, especially when President Obama who claims to be a Christian but yet issues a mandate that goes directly against a church's beliefs and freedoms. Our forefathers created a wonderful document called The Constitution which needs no modification or changes. Separation of Church and State goes both ways and should be respected by our so called Christian President.
@ohiomommy,
No one is forcing YOU to have an abortion! How does gay marriage affect you? And, you do realize that uninsured people use the Emergency Room as their primary care physician, correct? Therefore the tax payor is footing the bill, wouldn't affordable healthcare for ALL Americans, make more sense? And the Catholic Church wasn't being forced to "pay" for contraceptives, they were being forced to provide it as part of their insurance, like every other business has to. Viagra is covered, but not contraception? Again, how does this affect you? No one is forcing anyone to "practice birth control" And the Hyde amendment prevents federal funds from being used for abortions, that doesn't change. It was one of the big fights during the healthcare debates, and it stands.
So, how is anything being CRAMMED DOWN your throat??
So what do we do with all those "evil" people? Kill them or give them exorcisms?
let me tell you what the Catholic Chuch states on "catholicscomehome.org" about punishement for some things.
"SINS CRYING to HEAVEN for VENGEANCE" Wilful murder, Sodomy, oppression of the poor, cheating laborers of their just wages.
According to them these are not just sins, but acts that merit "crying to heaven for VENGEANCE". God and Jesus are apparently really angry and hateful bastards.
interesting twist for me. as a michigander by birth, i was pulling to see a repudiation of romney by his own state today due to his bailout position. rick has provided me with an even stronger wish to see his narrow, rigid views rejected with a win by mitt.
either way, it's looking good for barak in the fall.
Good, I hope you're right about Obama :)
Jeez, get off the teleprompter kick already! Santorum and all these other Republicans who constantly bring up the word "teleprompter" as an insult to the president, need to be EXPOSED the next time THEY use one!
Teleprompters are only used for prepared remarks, and are nothing more than electronic note cards. EVERY GOP candidate, every talking head on Fox "News," uses one in the exact same manner as Obama.
For non-prepared remarks, Obama DOES NOT use a teleprompter and never has.
And that is why he sounds so much less intelligent when he is speaking with "non-prepared" remarks and like such a lecturer when he does use it. Please make fact-based comments too, not just spew off whatever you think up: Ex "EVERY GOP candidate" uses one.
if yer gonna nit pick 'bout speakin' styles, have a go at george w. be sure not to leave out the head bob.
uh huh! uh huh!
Rick Santorum understands spiritual warfare.
LMAO! He is the warfare read the bible it warns you about people like him!
Laureen, he may understand it, but using it they way he is doing is making him fail. And heaven forbid, but as President, he may understand something, but he would also probably fail. And our country can not handle anymore failed GOP policies.
Also if all these idiots running are so intellegent, why are they, and keep doing the same stupid stuff? Don't they realize they are hanging themselves? I understand they hate that "uppity man" in the oval office, but that man in the oval office is very intellegent himself.
I know some here will disagree with me, but stop and think for a minute. He has more or less boxed the GOP/baggers into a corner on a couple of things, and the more they try to get out of the corner, the more stupid they look. And Mitt's slip up on the cutting of programs, increasing revenue just reinforced what Obama has been saying. Can't hardly wait for the fip flop, out of context BS to come out from Mitt's side.
I also heard the majority of the pug/baggers don't want a brokered convention. With this bunch of clowns, you just handed that "uppity man" in the oval office his second term. Plus one Obama hater came out with a new name for Obama. He's now a Mullah. Wow, real classy baggers, real classy.
"Onward Christian SOLDIERS"...not onward Christian love, or Christian kindness,or Christain generosity, or Christian forgiveness.....MILITARY....HURT...DESTRUCTION....IN THE NAME OF GOD....ONWARD SOLDIRES!!!!!
Whatever happened to World Peace and Love Thy Neighbor??? What are they preaching in churches these days? Not what I was taught, thats for sure :/
I really pity the voters in this country. We rarely ever have a good candidate from either side that isnt a snake in the grass, or just completely out of touch with the every day american. All they do is cater to the extremes, while ingnoring the fact that the majority of americans are just a little right or left of center. How did our country get hijacked by the extremists. With extremists on both sides of the aisle its no wonder our politicians cant do anything but pass bills to give themselves raises and benefits, while important issues are having immovable battle lines drawn when compromise is the best way forward. If I went to work and all I did was argue and get nothing done, why would I be a shoe in for politics but unemployable to the rest of the world.
These are the same people we ran from when we started the United States! You know the ones who killed all the Indians because they didn't look or act like them! Oh but they are Christians...not! They followed us here and ever since have been trying to FORCE us all to abide by their religion and twisted views!
Even the republican party can spot a nut when they see one.Iguess it's not that hard.Just look at the republican standing next to you.
He seems to be picking and choosing the sins he's against. I see he has no problem with Avarice (Greed) and Envy or bearing false witness (Lying). Maybe he should reacquaint himself with the 10 commandments, the seven deadly sins, the parable of Christ in the temple and then reconsider his candidacy and career.
Oh please! Give me examples of his Greed, Envy, or Lying?
- His attempt to bill a county in PA that he did NOT reside in for his children's expensive online school bills-- GREED and Lying
- His support of his wife's lawsuit in excess of 500k when he was sponsoring legistlation limiting litigation collection for healthcare to 250k. -- GREED
- His refusal to contradict blatantly false statements made about the President's religion and upbringing at a recent rally in *ahem* Ohio. (BTW, people need to stop harping on the POTUS birth certificate. Like any other paid employee in the US, and any government employee, I'm pretty sure they did a basic background check) He's not Muslim, and even if he was; that is not a reason he couldn't be president. -- LYING (and potentially envy with a good bit of coveting his neighbors posessions) Let us not forget, it is not just "what I have done, but what I failed to do" and he failed to correct blatant falsehoods.
-His statement (above) that he never changes his views. Which is a darn shame. I don't believe what I did when I was 5, 10, 15, 20, ....etc. Heck, when I get new information, I reevaluate my ideas constantly. Santorum even has stated (on record while in office in PA) that he was prochoice until he researched it. -- LYING
- His complete misinterpretation and repeated falsehoods regarding the auto industry, women's healthcare, preventative maternal/fetal care, gay marriage...etc. --- LYING and Ignorance (possibly, though not a sin, not a desirable presidential characteristic) with a dash of ENVY (probable)
Look guys and Gals,
Let's not step on the first amendment, Rick has every right to say what he pleases, no need for name calling. Most of us will exercise our opinion at the polls, but please no stomping on the right to free speech.
Please! Rick does not care about stomping on our free speech or our individual rights! Your going to make a comment in public then you open yourself up to criticism!
Who's stomping on his right to free speech? He has the right to say vile things, and no one is stopping him. But we also have the right to criticize him for the things he says. Freedom of speech does not mean everyone has to listen to and respect what you say, just that you can say it.
Jump, I'm not against free speech, let Frothy spout his lies, I will defend his right, just like yours and my right for free speech. I also defend the "freedom of happiness, and freedom for all." But Frothy is trying to prevent me from my freedom to chose what is best for my body. Same as the Catholic Church does. And we all know how the Church leaders love to protect those "Chester the Molesters" (not all) priests. And Frothy is right their, along side those leaders, spouting the same crap.
So the more free speech Frothy has, the more voters he has/will turn away from the bible thumping crowd that is now running for the oval office.
Santorum was heavily involved with Opus Dei, a radical cult of right-wing Catholics. Every religious entity has their fanatical wing. Jews have the ultra orthodox, Muslims have their extremists, who interpret the Koran in a way to promote violence and the Protestants have groups that believe the bible to be infallible and want to base our laws on the Bible. Most of us find comfort in religion. We don't wish to wield our beliefs like a sword and force everyone to accept our faith. We are a country of over three hundred million people with diverse beliefs. In order for our country to survive, we must remain open and secular. We must shun the fanatics among us.
Interesting choice of words ("dead wrong") when discussing abortion. I have to wonder whether a woman wants to be in front of God during her Judgment and wonder whether the abortion she committed is going to be considered murder? Because whether we consider it murder or not, God does. I have to wonder why women want to take that chance of standing before God and answering for the murder of one of His own. We like to think we can play God but we shouldn't. We shouldn't choose whose life is sacred and whose isn't and quality of life shouldn't matter. All life is sacred, born or unborn, sick or healthy. People say that there are lots of gray areas concerning killing someone who is sick or unborn. No, there isn't. There is only gray area because YOU inserted it. Think in absolute terms and there is no gray area. KILLING is WRONG. Making arbitrary exceptions such as if the baby hasn't breathed air than it can be killed is just ludicrous.
People who say a fetus is not human are just lying to themselves because it is human. It came from humans and has human DNA. Are those people suggesting it is a giraffe or an alien? What else would it be? If it's shape or size means it's not human then what does that have to say about Siamese twins who obviously don't align with the standard shape of a human? Who are we to say that a simple shape should dictate whether someone is human and be the deciding factor of whether the life is extinguished or not (especially out of convenience)?
As far as Rick's comment about good and evil, I see nothing wrong with it. Satan is always attacking humans with weaker minds because it's easy to fall prey to his influence, doesn't matter if it's people in this country or any other. A country that turns its back on God (and we have since He is no longer allowed to be referenced in schools) will suffer the consequences. We don't want God in our society or in our lives but yet we blame him when bad things happen (which makes us hypocrites). Others among us will make fun of people who believe in God, which isn't the right thing to do since we teach our kids to respect others' beliefs, plus it is just childish to make fun of people because of their beliefs.
Are there still weak-minded puerile dolts who believe in Satan??Does he have horns and a tail with an arrow point at the end and dresses in red long underwear? Does he fight with angels all day? What stupidity!Makes the angels weep!
WRONG!!! Read your bible and stop twisting the word of GOD! God said it is so simple even a child can understand! The first breath is when the soul enters the body! Who do you think you are it is between that person and GOD! We do not need radicals on earth telling us what to do or believe! Real Christians do not pass judgement! Rick is in the bible God warned us about his kind!
You are a disgusting! You should be ashamed of yourself twisting the word of God! It is your kind that is destroying our world!
Another religious idiot who has a direct connection to God. Tell me, what else did God tell you? Sorry, but your religious views on what God thinks are not mine. And this excuse you people have for sinning is just an excuse - "the evil devil made me do it" - yeah right. No evil-horned devil makes someone go out and rape a child. They choose to do so for their own gratification, and blaming it on a red horned devil is stupid. You want to keep trying to shove your god, and devil down my throat? Stay the hell out of my religion and spirituality. It has nothing to do with you or politics, and is nobody else's business.
Super Bon, how many people alive today heard God speak outloud and in person? We all know the answer to that, right? But over the centuries, man has copied, mispelled words, interperted words incorrectly, inserted their thoughts into the Bible. That is a proven FACT. I'm not saying the bible is correct, or incorrect.
You may interpert it one way, your neighbor another way, and myself a third way. It depends on each person's belief and view of life in general. But what I really can't stand is anyone person who says they know what is best for everyone when it comes to religion. And that is the way Frothy comes accross to me.
And where, in your bible does it say women cannot have birth control pills, or plan B? Preventing a fetus from being made is not abortion in my world. And if your bible says intercourse is for procreation, and women do just that, why is a bunch of people against welfare? The deadbeat guy skips out, doesn't help the woman he inpregnated, no child support, but he did take advantage of the woman who may or maynot have been a willing partner.
What does your bible say about that man?
Religion is a great tool for behaviour but not great for much else. Do you believe that religion has hit it's golden age? I do not believe in your god or your satan. To invoke a myth into the politics of this country is not only wrong but also sad. He cannot stand on his own two feet and state what he believes in gives me no faith whats so ever that he could lead a country. If he says something that I think is right or wrong is not based on what fantasy he believes in but what he thinks is right or wrong. Do not impose your religious dogma on me. In AA one of the first things they tell you is that you are helpless and that you must turn your life over to a higher power. Do you really feel thats the answer? That's called brainwashing.
What a horrible throw-back to ignorance and fossilized drivel--this Santorum guy is something redolent of Sinclair Lewis' Elmer Gantry or Mencken's Booboisee--to think that there survives to this day such imbecility in any strength surely justifies any skepticism of the public's ability to overcome mass idiocy. Weep for your Country
How can one candidate from the GOP be judge and jury as to who qualifies based on their religious beliefs.
As Per Article Six of the United States Constitution only if you believe we have a constitution. Mooron
The bible was meant to be a book of rules for those without a conscience as is any religious text. No pastor, priest, pope or politician can ever provide you with answers to any of life's questions. The answers are and always have been inside of you where God put them not outside, yet people spend their entire lives searching outside and ignoring whats within.
People like Santorum appeal to the masses of people who are searching outside and know no better, so they cling to words from religious sounding people. They are completely controlled by their ego which drives their every judgement wherein lies the birth of 'good' and 'evil' and "I'm better than you because..."
AMEN! Great post!
Well said bill-1496592, Well said.
From Wikipedia:
Separation of religious views and public life
In an interview with the National Catholic Reporter, Santorum said that the distinction between private religious conviction and public responsibility, espoused by President John F. Kennedy, had caused "great harm in America."
Ok. As President, Santorum will base all of his actions and decisions on his Catholic Faith. He will not respect the existence of any other religion in the United States, and will oppose and fight against the Constitutional freedom of religion.
But it gets better...!
Without quoting the entire next paragraph/article ( it's there. Just look it up and read it for yourself! ), Santorum also states that he does not believe that a 'Right to Privacy' is supported by the Constitution.
So now we have a President that believes that there is no freedom of religion in America, that the Catholic religion should rule the world. Plus the idea that the American public has no right to privacy.
The FBI becomes the department of Faith Based Investigations, and the CIA becomes the Catholic Inquisition Agency.
Santorum will never be my President. I wouldn't even elect him Dogcatcher.