E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSS
MOBILE, AL -- Standing in front of a retired fighter jet, Rick Santorum on Friday called for voters to make a change in commander in chief and argued that President Obama has not stood up for American troops or for its ally Israel.
Inside the USS Alabama Pavilion, Santorum accused President Obama of abandoning Israel by joining with five other countries offering to resume negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program.
"Yet in the face of President Netanyahu (sic) coming here asking him, imploring the American people to stand by her at her side, the very next day after...the president announced they would start talks with the Iranian government," said Santorum. "'We got your back,’ [President Obama] said the day when he spoke to AIPAC. And then two weeks later turns his back on Israel again and says well we will negotiate without precondition. This is weakness in the face of hostility."
Santorum has made his hardline stance against Iran a key part of his pitch to Republican voters. He was the only Republican presidential candidate to address AIPAC in person, and he has called for ultimatums for Iran to open up the facilities where nuclear weapons may be developed.
Along with failing to stand up to the potential of a nuclear Iran, the former Pennsylvania senator also accused the president of not standing up for the troops, making reference to a recent incident where a U.S. troop inadvertently burned copied of the Quran.
"American military does something that may offend the sensibilities of people whose sensibilities are easily offended and yet doesn’t stand up for our men and women in uniform as they are fragged, as they are attacked by mobs in Afghanistan," Santorum said. "Ladies and gentlemen, we need a new commander in chief in America."
Santorum spoke to fewer than 100 supporters in an event that organizers say was put together in less than 24 hours. The GOP candidate did not so much as mention his Republican rivals during the rally.
Throughout Mississippi and Alabama over the past two days, Santorum has called on voters to deliver the blow that will knock Newt Gingrich out of the race. A Gingrich spokesman called the southern states must wins for the former Speaker to remain a viable candidate.
Santorum aides have asserted that Gingrich's persistence in the race has split conservative voters and cost Santorum wins in Michigan and Ohio.
Campaigning in an area still feeling the effects of the 2010 BP oil spill, Santorum remained steadfast in his support of offshore drilling. "It is a better option than receiving oil from places in the world that are going to turn around and then use it to attack us," he told reporters after the event.
But at this stop, Santorum abandoned any talk of the social issues that have come to define his candidacy. Asked why, in the deep South, where social issues are especially important to voters, he shied away from the issues, Santorum said: "Those who follow me a lot know I talk about national security and energy all the time, and it’s an area really of strength for me and not something most people know so we are going to talk about it more."
Leave a Comment:
We don't need a new commander in chief. The one we have has done just fine. Ask Bin Lauden. Having talks with the Iranians is a lot easier on our blood and treasure than war. Santorum should remember that wars kill our people, their people, and the economy.
Wayne, well said. Would be nice if someone or even a journalist asked for specifics as President Obama suggested in his press conference this week; bet Rick couldn't answer because all he knows is to toss out red meat.
Whats being missed by Americas Carnival Barkers(formerly known as the MSM), concerning Rush Limbaughs 9 hour Degrading of Ms. Fluke, is the Tone of Voice when Rush begins to speak of wanting her to send 'Sex Tapes". Rushs tone changes to that of a Sexual Pervert, by any sense of the Imagination! Listen carefully America to how his Voice changes when beginning that part of his talking, its almost Diabolical in Tone!
As Flo would Say:
Well, Kiss My GRITS!
Occupy SoggyBottom!
Trying to find a diplomatic solution to the problems between Iran/Israel is the best way to save loss of life and the possibility of a peaceful coexistence between the two countries. While these two countries may never be allies, we should at least hope for a peaceful coexistence.
None of us know the exact dialogue that occurred between the leaders of America and Israel when they recently met. It isn't right for a candidate running for the presidency to try to speculate in a negative way about those talks. It would be one thing to say that he (Santorum) would have done things a certain way, but it is unpatriotic to lash out at our president when the true facts about the subject are unknown
Santorum is trying to rile up his
blood thirsty,I mean pro-life base.For a party ready to make women into second class citizens for the religious republican taliban, to protect an unborn fetus, but boy do they love to kill the living in other countries.
Santorum is delusional and dangerous, he fits right in with the rest of the GOP. He scammed the people of Pennsylvania for years, representing a district he didn't live in, but since he owned property in that district he felt entitled. I love the guy those, every time he flaps him gums he lines up even more votes for Obama. BTW, exactly what branch of service did chickenhawk serve in....that's right HE DIDN'T!
wayne... isnt Santorum pro life .. he would never approve a war that may kill innocent lives
Santorum is just spewing more santorum.
He hasn't got a chance to be president. If he didn't have a god complex, he might be able to accept that.
Too bad that each of the Republicans running for President are orders of magnitude less worthy of being Commander in Chief than President Obama.
Riiight, like it would be better to "bomb, bomb, bomb, Iran" with Santorum at the helm. Santorum would probably take us back to the crusades (haunting). Four more wars, four more wars! Ha. Puleeze, the only adult in the room is President Obama.
What we NEED is a credible candidate representing the the GOP...
The current crop of clowns running are an embarrassment to America!
Our current commander in chief isn't going anywhere... ;o)
Not stood up for the troops? What is he talking about? ==Obama's the one that's been bringing them home, and not getting into any new fights.
These guys are speaking in the bubble to other people in the bubble. Its incredible.
No Feisty we need a credible candidate period. Right now we have two parties that are so grid locked in congress that they can not pass a budget to pay our troops who are giving their lives to fight not just for our freedom, but the freedom of those overseas.
While I think all candidates should have a stance of foreign policy I do not think that Rick Santorum has enough facts to judge what President Obama should and should not be doing. Since he does not have the facts he should not be dictating a military option because the saber rattling could force the military option. Only the current commander and chief can make the call since he(or maybe someday she) is the one with all the data and knows all the options due to security clearances. It is by no means a light decision to potentially send a white SUV to a loved ones home with a folded flag. I expect the candidate to respect our soldiers enough to allow one commander and chief to make the military option call. I am sure Israel can agree that they do not want to negotiate with all the presidential candidates as well as the president and that those negotiations should not be done in public debate.
If I were the candidate I would say "it is not in our best interest to have Iran armed with a nuclear weapon. I would investigate all options on the table from diplomatic to military to ensure this does not happen". That is it.
Also I disagree with President Obama on the way the "sensibilities being offended" was handled. I think President Obama should have called for an full investigation first. I can see apologizing if it was clear our troops made the mistake. However by apologizing before the full investigation was complete, President Obama admitted making the mistake when he did not know for sure the troops made a mistake. Since the investigation had not been performed when the apology was made, President Obama did not have a restitution plan to couple with the apology if restitution such as a reprimand was required. It is up to us to demonstrate how a court of law works and in a court of law one is innocent unless proven guilty.
I am sure some of the 240 candidates on American's Elect have similar middle ground approaches. It is time we used common sense.
who would want Santorum or Romney or god forbid Gingrich to get that 3am phone call
A Gingrich commercial made me fell better about Romney. Paraphrasing: For Romney to say he is a conservative, he must first be a conservative. This implies Romney is a moderate, which is great in my opinion.
What bothers me about Gingrich and Santorum is that they are not political conservatives, they are christian-taliban trying to hide in the Republican conservative label.
First, it seems relatively clear that Gingrich will say anything to get power, and will do anything with that power, with little concern about what is right or true. Second, while yes, Romney is more moderate than, say, Santorum, Romney is vulture capitalist through-and-through. He doesn't care about keeping government small or reducing the deficit - he cares about releasing big business from any responsibility to society or to basic human decency.
The only moderate conservative in this election is Barack Obama.
Oh please... Don't buy the catnip midstaters. I'm from Pennsylvania and I can tell you he is just another lying politician who touts religion as a means to line his own pockets. There's a reason why he lost his reelection bid by one of the largest margins in recent history.
Rick---JoAnne and I have already issued a blanket apology on behalf of all Pennsylvanians for Santorum.
The Republican candidates are all eager to start more wars but never tell us how they will pay for them.
And Santorum-----it is PRIME MINISTER Netanyahu. If you want us to have you represent the United States in the world, let's make sure you get their names and titles right.
Their not knowing how to pay for the wars they start is a lesson they learned from their savior George W. Bush. His two unfunded wars were not in any budget, and every month an EMERGENCY would come up and he'd need to take the thousands of dollars from us to hold on for another month. All hell to Shrub (that is a small Bush), Santorum, Romney.
No issue with that Rick, but you brought up Fluke and Rush, and failed to mention she is not 23, she is a 30 yr old professional activist, has one of Obama's people as her agent, and only enrolled in Georgetown to spur debate on the contraception issue. Another issue she thinks we as a public need to pay for is "gender reassingment" surgery. Hey, if some guy wants to chop his stuff off, or some woman wants to have a falsey sewn on, be my guest, but do it on your own dime. This woman is a whack job, so anything Rush Limbaugh said or says about her is moot. Then again, while not a republican, i identify more with them than with the democratic party i voted for when Clinton and Gore were the big dogs. And I don't listen to Rush, although a lot of people do. He's like Jerry Springer. Say what you will, he get's paid to push peoples buttons and in this case, it worked. Fluke by the very nature of the facts is a plant to ingratiate more and more people to what mainstream America doesn't agree with.
D McMillen - want to document that? ...it's OK, I'll wait.
D McMillen - Still waiting...
McMillen can't document it because it is false, as usual he like his republican cronies create their own set of "truths" to support their delusional view of events.
look it up in wikipedia and any website other than msn. If you are referring to mainstream America, take any political science Am Govt I course any university you want, and the fact is, most Americans are moderate. That's why extreme left politicians don't get elected, nor do extreme right. Regardless of their feelings, they will go with whatever the party platform dictates. As for Ms. Fluke, wikipedia, google who her agent is, and his ties with the administration, and look up her stances on reproductive issues, which she has to her credit never deviated from, and that includes a provision for gender reassignment surgery. She seems oddly enough to be ok with women only getting a pap smear every 3 yrs except for annually. I don't sit and cut and paste websites, not on your payroll, do your own research.
or were you referring to the "he's like Springer" remark. That's mine, I'll stand by that. And the button pushing, apparently he pushed yours, and he makes money doing it, so I'll take credit for that one too. Have a wonderful weekend.
DMcM - Wikipedia is not a legitimate source for information. That is as far as I got reading your comment because citing Wikipedia is a glimpse into your willingness to learn the truth about very complex issues. Sometimes the KISS approach is appropriate (Keep It Simple Stupid), but not for foreign policy issues, economic issues, social issues, or the future of our nation and the world. But if you are happy in your Wikipedia bubble, please choose not to vote. Thank you.
That's funny, because most college students use this as primary research for papers. Vote for your President, and I will cast mine to get rid of him. And I can vote, I think 23 yrs in the Army earned me the right to at least do that. I do appreciate that when I refer to modern references that you think I must be ignorant, when you are posting on a forum on MSNBC, which regularly misspells and get's facts wrong, but I'm sure you feel very enlightened. And the last guy I heard refer to himself magnificent was a jackass. And you're welcome.
englightened enough to realize that any schmuck can post to Wikipedia, and that makes it less reliable than most any news outlet, other than perhaps our favorite propaganda machine, FOX Noise. Now, I can see why those arguing from your perspective likes to use Wikipedia as the holy grail of information, because as even the creators of Wikipedia admit, not every article is accurate, that "edit wars" occur frequently, depending on the qualifications of authors of posts to Wikipedia.... " Wikipedia should be a starting point for research but not your primary source for research material" - this stated by the creators of Wikipedia. So your comment about college students using Wikipedia as a primary source for papers means one of 2 things, either we are producing some factually challenged students, or you pulled this fact from your backside. I'm guessing you can tell where I think you pulled that little gem from. BTW, a lot of people served, most of them don't feel the need to thump their chest as if it gives them more moral authority to state their case without question, and then snarkily tell them "you're welcome". As a tax paying citizen what I can say is that yI'm glad my tax dollars kept you employed for 23 years. Other than posting BS on Newsvine what else keeps you busy these days?
Wow, you really don't know what you are talking about. The FIRST thing they tell you when researching for college papers is that Wikipedia is NOT a credible source of information because the general public can change information there.
I'm guessing it won't be long before these loons are quoting comic books as sources for their facts...
I know this, it is just that you guys use msn only as your source of research, or the democratic news organs. I said "you're welcome", because as you also snarklily put it, "thank You". Speaking of what I am doing with my days, how about you? Fact is, Fluke is 30, she has a long history of this, and you guys can't stand anything that makes the President sound like he isn't Jesus. By the way, this article was about Rick Santorum, and I don't like him either. No facts to check there, I just don't like his personality. Same with the President.
Excuse me, he isn't from PA... remember he moved his family to VA when he got elected to the Senate... and then screwed the PA school district by asking them to pay for his kids cyber school.... he scum....
Not every woman live withing 3.2 miles of such funded programs, though.
Seriously, Rick Santorum should be required to attend Diplomacy 101 class because he doesn't have a clue. The only thing he's good at is twisting words and taking them out of context in order to pander to whoever he thinks needs pandering at any given moment.
Jody--as I noted above, at Diplomacy 101 class Santorum will be quizzed on the names and titles of America's principal allies.
I seem to recall something in Washington's farewell address warning us not to make "allies". They tend to change after wars and such, don't they?
I remember when Republican politicians had combat experience, like Bob Dole, John McCain, and George H.W. Bush. That may be when the perception of Republicans being "strong on defense" began. Now we have chicken hawks, with no experience in the military, like Romney, Gingrich and Santorum blustering about their how tough they are and it doesn't ring the same. I'm happy with the Obama administration's record on keeping us safe, thanks all the same.
The president has no military experience either, but he feels no need to thump his chest like the republican primate candidates do. He learned the lesson well from TR, "Speak softly, and carry a big stick." With our president in charge, I feel much more inclined to believe that cooler heads will prevail.
Exactly...and The president has no military experience either...he does now.
You're right Amy. Commander in Chief is right up there, isn't it?
Where are the trolls? I guess they're not inclined to believe Ricky would be a good C in C.
Counting Romney and Santorum between them they have something like 13 kids with a number of them old enough to serve. How many have? ..........NONE
I have a real problem when these chickin hawks are so eager so send other peoples kids to fight and die in real wars for made up excuses.
corybud you are so right.......if these republicans running for president are so eager for war against Iran then their children should be right there leading the charge.
Santorum on Obama: 'We need a new commander in chief'.
Obama on Santorum: "No, seriously - this is my "competition"??????
We may need a new CIC but it will not be one of these chic hating CHICS. Coward Hypocritical Inconsiderate Cheap S...fill in the blanks! Not only is he a POS, but a liar at that. What I find nauseating is that most Republican women support these two who are more invasive than maggots! having no idea what it would be like tomake any major decisions like sending people to their death and to kill other innocent people whom they do not know and who have never done them any harm. Why, for crying out loud, Ahma has been here many times. Did he ever think of "replacing him that easily" while he was visiting?
Does this boob really think talking with Iran is abandoning Israel? Talking with Iran is the best thing we could do for Israel.
JoAnne, that's a good one! And I'm thinking it's true.
JohnNY, makes you wonder but that's what it sounds like to me, too.
It is scary how many Americans are banging the drum for war, supporting the Republican candiates in their foolish and dangerous rhetoric. I believe Obama will win in 2012, but sometimes the fear that the idiots will prevail seeps in.
How can they not sense how war-weary most Americans are? We are tired of losing our precious young people to death or serious injury and we are tired of the financial drain of the war. Many of us are also tired of the mentality that thinks killing people is the solution to every problem. All the Republican candidates seem too eager for war.
Though none of them seeem very eager to explain how they'll pay for it. Perhaps they think that war - like talk - is cheap.
No, they believe in the war fairy. She's the one that George Bush used to finance his wars. Until Obama became President and discovered she was just hiding the cost of the wars in the Emergency Supplemental fairy dust. Suddenly the war costs became part of the budget and gave the GOP an excuse to say Obama added huge amounts to the deficit, when what really happened was that the war costs magically appeared as part of the budget and it was Obama's fault. Amazing story.
Santorum or Romney did not take Obama up on his call to have them explain the cost of war in american lives and treasure to the American people .. not the nut jobs the real American people
There would be nothing scarier than having one of these religious nutjobs as Commander in Chief who would be willing to start a war in the Middle East in order to bring about the "rapture."
Next thing you know, Santorum will be challenging the President to a "write your name in the snow" contest.
JoAnna Smith currently holds the trophy!
Well, hey- no we don't need the current commander in chief to take care of things.
We need a damned-dumb born-again that can't wait to 'walk on streets paved with gold' after the 'Rapture'.
Good one, Ayatollah Santorum. Good one.
Rick Santorum should just hold out and run for office in Iran since thats where his main concern is.
"President" Netanyahu? Seriously Santorum, at the very least get the details right. You're starting to sound like Sara P. You're just a big mouthed, chest pounding tough guy. When will he (they) realize that bad mouthing the POTUS on foreign policy is sounding more and more ludicrous with each passing situation that he handles quietly and peacefully? The bubble speak is unbelievable!
Well it wont be U! Ricky Baby!
Vote Republican and lets get out this mess we in...and debt Obama has run up.
This is a weak argument Joe. Look at the mess the last guy left us in. That is the mess we are still cleaning up.
And it would be really really stupid to give the reins back to them to do it again or worse. Yeppers
Hahahahaha. Let me guess; the GOP will balance the budget without raising taxes??? And they'll show Iran whose boss by killing half of their population and scarring my generation with a NEW war. Obama didn't have a choice to run up the debt; it was either spend or sink. And most of that debt was either related due to the economic recession or the Bush fiscal policies, so in fact you should be saying the opposite, Joe.
Vote Democratic and lets get out this mess we in...and debt Bush and the GOP have run up.
OBAMA BIDEN 2012
good one joe
I am curious how you connected the dots from the GWB administration (two wars, Wall Street meltdown, jobs sent overseas, economy on the edge of the cliff, etc.) to President Obama's three years. It is interesting how the GOP apologists have simply erased President George W Bush and those eight years from their memory banks. Did Americans really think Mr. Obama was going to be able to come in and six months, a year, later all debt would be gone, everyone would be employed and we would be back on the gravy train? In his Inaugural address, he warned there would be a long road ahead. Please place blame and credit accurately.
Hey draft dodger santorum,where was your cowardly butt when thousands were fighting to keep the likes of you, newt, romney, home nursing on your mommies. It is scabs like your group of candidates that will never get to the white house because YOU ARE COWARDS.
the President never served a day in his life either, if we are comparing service records. Perry did, would you prefer him?
D McMillen...
The President has served three years so far on an EIGHT YEAR hitch and has done a damn fine job with his troops! What branch were you in? ...Family of Veterans (One CMH)!
D McMillen...
Another thing D Mc...Santorum has 2 sons of age to serve in the military...when he promises (in writing) to have HIS sons enlist and WILL send them to war then I'll listen to his pandering crap. And this jerk calls other people "snobs"...he's worse than that! Hell, Santorum himself doesn't even have the balls to stand up to a fat drug addict with a foul mouth! And YOU back this guy?
The President is hardly a warrior, I think someone with a CMH in the family would know the difference. And I didn't say anything about Santorum. I personally don't like him. I'm just saying that if we are comparing service records Perry was about the only one who ever was in.
McMillen - This current President is a warrior.
Look at the record. He commanded troops in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya (covert operations), Uganda, and in other locations throughout the world. He killed Bin Ladin and al-Awlaki and dozens of top al-Qaeda leaders without any input from the Republican leadership in Washington cause they can't or won't help.
We do know the diference between an warrior and a pack of guys who are so full of bluster that they don't take the time to think about the situation in the ME rationally. Just becaues John Wayne won in all of his movies doesn't mean that he should be a model in the real world. Maybe a true fighter like Obama should be held out for emulation. He seems to get it right more often than not in spite of the tough-talking, do-nothing Republicans that have stood in the way since day one in his term of office.
Stupid idiot. The economy is improving, POTUS is doing great on the FP, and this fool cannot even realize that he does not know what he is talking about.
“He who knows not and knows not he knows not: he is a fool - shun him. He who knows not and knows he knows not: he is simple - teach him. He who knows and knows not he knows: he is asleep - wake him. He who knows and knows he knows: he is wise - follow him...Obama.”
Santorum, the moral, Popeaholic, has once again proven he is no Christian. A Christian follows the teachings of Christ. Christ is the Prince of Peace. Christ taught us to turn the other cheek.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:17-21).
Santorum is a fake just as Ron Paul said. Nuts as he is Paul got it right.
The Bible verse below makes me proud President Obama. He is more of a Christian than any of these loud mouth phony Republicans.
We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it (1 Corinthians 4:12).
God bless you President Obama.
"Sanitorium Santorum" has been drinking the church wine. Again! "Sanitorium Santorum" is not Presidential, not well educated, not intellectual in thought, and has cultural views of a Confederate States Of American Politician in or around 1855. His social ideals are from the debates in or around 1855, and "Sanitarium Santorum" has no clue that the Union won the Civil War. He has an educational policy seen in the South in or around 1850, and "Sanitorium Santorum" has NO clue what the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is. Again! Hey! Hey! Ho! Ho! The Party of NO has got to go!
The very last thing we need is Rick Santorum as commander in chief!!
President Obama has taken out more top[terrorist and a few pirates on the side than the Cheney Bush administration ever did. He has also elevated America's standing in the international world..Many don't remember or choose to acknowledge, the Cheney Bush were the great poster boys for terrorist recruiting..
Santorum, speak for yourself. Personally, I love our commander in chief. He is intelligent, compassionate, and honorable. Not to mention, our country is way better than when he took over (yes, I do remember the stock market plummeting daily, and hundreds of thousands of jobs being lost almost daily!)
GM is doing well and Bin Laden is dead! And February produced 227.000 jobs too! Numbers dont lie!
What color is the sky whever you live?
An now the Party of NO has Joe the Plumber..What more can we asked for?
We don't need a NEW commander in chief, we need a commander in chief.
I think the majority of Americans believe we presently have a commander in chief,Grasshopper.
Michael, you have no argument. You and the Obama haters can't come up with any legitimate fact-based criticism. In what way has Obama not proved to be a successful Commander in Chief? When he speaks to the world directly with confidence and clear understanding of any given situation? Is he not presidential when he is decisive and moves quickly to ensure the safety of the US and citizens? Is he not presidential when he thinks before he acts in haste? Is he not presidential in his eloquence and confident but open demeanor? Or have you Republicans forgotten what it means to be "presidential" given the last few Repug Presidents who were bullies and not statesmen? We are a stronger nation going forward with an intelligent and deliberate thinker in the Oval Office instead of a pompous flag-waving bully of no substance.
I know righties will come back with a load of "lalalalalalalalala" nonsense about gas prices and mounting debt, but all of the righty comments prove nothing but the level of ignorance rampant across this nation.
F-U Scamtorum... The POTUS is not the "ommander in chief" of the entire country. THe country is not an army and we don't need anyone giving us orders...