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Subscribe to RSSBARNESVILLE, Ohio -- Rick Santorum on Saturday said the entire Republican Party should voice its support for Senate candidate Todd Akin of Missouri -- including the top of the party's presidential ticket.
After holding a rally for Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney here in the heart of Ohio's coal country, Santorum told NBC News that an Akin victory is essential for the GOP to regain control of the Senate and repeal President Barack Obama's health care law. The only way for that to happen, Santorum said, is for the GOP establishment to give the embattled Akin its full-fledged support.
"The entire Republican Party should stand up and say, 'You know what? He's our candidate, it's too important for the future of our country not to have a majority of the Senate in this upcoming election," Santorum said when asked if Romney needs to publicly support Akin. "I'm hoping everybody will join in and support the cause."
The former Pennsylvania senator and unsuccessful president candidate joined South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint in announcing their support of Akin on Wednesday.
"I don't know what the Republican establishment -- what their objective is, but if they want to repeal Obamacare, we better hold the Senate. And to hold the Senate, we better win Missouri," Santorum said.
Akin has taken heat from both sides of the aisle after using the term "legitimate rape" and saying women have a biological way of preventing unwanted pregnancies while he gave a now-notorious explanation of his views on abortion.
"My feeling is that we can win the presidency, but if we don't have 51 senators, we're not going to be able to repeal Obamacare," said Santorum.
Romney's former rival has been active campaigning for the presidential candidate in the Buckeye State. It's a primary Santorum nearly won on Super Tuesday, and his support was particularly strong in this part of the state, heavy with blue-collar workers and not far from his home of Pittsburgh.
Despite recent polls showing Romney needing to make up significant ground in Ohio, the former senator remained optimistic about the state turning red. "I'm confident that Mitt Romney will win Ohio, will when the presidency," he said. "People here understand how dangerous this president is."
That danger, Santorum said, stems from the president's energy policy, which he claims makes the U.S. more dependent on foreign oil. It is a message the Romney campaign hopes will resonate in this coal-rich part of the state. It is here where Republicans go to hammer Obama for waging a "war on coal."
"This is a president that is going to drive this country to economic ruin because of a phony ideology that, you know, somehow or another he has to control the seas rising and falling," Santorum said.
While Santorum has been traveling as a Romney surrogate, he also has been holding events in places like Iowa independent of the presidential race. It has fueled speculation that he could be eyeing another run.
Asked about his political future, Santorum would only say that he will be happy in 2016 to continue his work as a Romney surrogate. "I'll be happy to come back and campaign for Gov. Romney in four years," he said.
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I agree for once with Dick Scrotorum. Akin's after all only embraces what EVERY GOP voter does. That Women, Gays, Blacks and other races are undesirables. Why hide your true beliefs?
Backing Akin politically is like walking out into a mine field. Any GOP candidate running in a tight race would be absolutely nuts to get behind Akin. However, stronger candidates, propped up by re-districting efforts that make them invulnerable, or those not even running for re-election this cycle, may wade into the Akin minefield. Regardless, backing Akin is a crazy act for crazy people who only care about power. The man is almost as politically toxic as Bush the lesser. This is where the GOP has taken their party, and folks, they DID build it!
Stunning. Just did something I have never done in my life. I responded to Mr. Santorum but by sending an online donation to Mr. "They Deserved It" Akins' opponent. I dont live in MO but I am calling my MO friends to lobby for a change. How amazing that Mr. Santorum who claimed family values were his purview, would support a guy who things rape victims deserve it, just to keep a seat and attack the President. Really Ricky....are you that sold out. Hope it never happens to a member of your family.
Talk about two religious wingnut peas in a pod. Go back to Virginia, Slick Rick, you had your chance.
Geez, and to think Santorum could have been the Republican Presidential candidate. That is really scary!
What a good little footsoldier, putting his party above all. That's all Santorum can be now -- he tricked PA once, but then they gave him the boot. He took the national stage and he was so far right that even the Tea/GOP didn't want him. He'll never hold public office again unless he moves to Mississippi.
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2012/09/secret-video-romney-private-fundraiser
Someone pass this reminder along to Ricky InSanitarium and the rest of the neo-nutty loons in the republiturd party!
Tell them to bring their own popcorn.
BTW: Obama/Biden win in 2012! No doubt!!
Boy, do I ever feel sorry for the daughters of DeMint, Santorum and Akin. My problems seem minor in comparison.
Yes...GOPeaParty....Please listen to Santorum when he says you should back Akin despite his being an ignorant, insensitive, intolerant buffoon. Remember (as you believe), the end always justifies the means.
You have already alienated virtually all America's minorities. Why should you not alienate (the remainder of) America's women?
That's right back Todd Akin for "Legitimate Rape", you know the body has a way of shutting this thing down! The Republican Party is not the party of my father or grandfather, it is the party of extremist right wing ideology and doomed to fail.
--- Breaking News from http://www.nationalmemo.com">NationalMemo.com ---
http://www.nationalmemo.com/watch-mitt-romneys-garbage-man-trashes-47-percent-comments/">WATCH: San Diego Sanitation Worker Responds To Romney's '47 Percent' Remark
In a new video released today by AFSCME, the nation's largest public employee union, sanitation worker Richard Hayes talks about picking up the Romney family's garbage - and the Republican nominee's attitude toward Americans like him. http://www.nationalmemo.com/watch-mitt-romneys-garbage-man-trashes-47-percent-comments/">What did he say?.
Akin, Mittens, Ryan, or any other loudmouth republiturd-- should know there's a"cause & effect" for the manure that comes outta their pie-holes! This video is a good example!
Obama/Biden -- 2012! No doubt!!
2 tu* ds in a bowl, gestation of the lesser of the brainless right...sorry for your incredibly stupid attempts to regain the throne,...not this decade and I prefer never again...
Are these people for real? Can you imagine backing someone like Akin. Rick Santorum is a sanctimonious right wing extremist and needs to go back to whatever hole he came from. How can any women other than a completely deluded one possibly support the Republican Party?
The Repugnant Steppugnant wives of the GOP caste system will support them like good little minions. Newt's Steppugnant wife comes to mind for one. All show and no go.