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Santorum explains opposition to women in combat
February 10th, 2012
04:07 PM ET

Santorum explains opposition to women in combat

(CNN) – Rick Santorum reiterated his opposition Friday to women serving in combat roles in the U.S. military, saying female troops have reduced physical capacities and would distract men from their assigned duties.

"If you're out there, for example, in a group, or just two people, and some people, because of women, have, as you know with respect to physical capabilities, they don't have the same requirements that men do in the military, and may be in a position if someone is injured, has to be brought back," Santorum said on CNN's "The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer."

The full interview airs Friday at 5 p.m. ET. on CNN

FULL POST


Filed under: 2012 election • Interviews • Military • Rick Santorum
soundoff (15 Responses)
  1. gale yurchak

    I am a resident of PA, and remember Santorum's term. Very clearly, how he lied to the residents of PA and had them pay for his childrens cyber education, by stating that he lived locally, when they were living in VA. This was exposed by a local democratic political person – a woman – and we all know how that went over.
    I never have and never would vote for this individual. Please discontinue giving him air time. He stated in the past that woman should not work and there was no need for a two income home. Wonder how much he pays in taxes, how much he will be contributing towards his kids college education – and he's got a boatload of those. He is condecending, arrogant, woman hater and a BIGOT.

    February 15, 2012 at 5:27 pm |
    • Fernanda

      see i know you didnt really raecersh by your conclusions. i dont know why you keep talking about polls i never seen any poll that ask the people about liberty or goverment so i reject that apriori its not now hear is ron, hes been there for 30 years saying and fighting for the cause of liberty its my fault i was never awre or nrver cared about what was going on around me why do you think he is always ignored. try reading his book liberty defined or the revolution

      April 3, 2012 at 4:50 pm |
  2. pc

    SERIOUSLY?!?! "we're not talking about women who LOOK LIKE THEY DRIVE 18-wheelers" rich galen. So misogynists are serious opinionators for why women should/or should not be RECOGNIZED AND AWARDED for combat service? Since we HAVE BEEN SERVING IN COMBAT POSITIONS FOR DECADES WITHOUT RECOGNITION AND THE ALL IMPORTANT recognition for purposes of promotion! LOOK LIKE TRUCK DRIVERS!?!?! and BOTH WOMEN LET THAT GO! common Donna Brazil – i expect more of you than that!

    February 13, 2012 at 5:04 pm |
  3. Griff

    Same old CNN t\ctics, trying to promote crap again. Quo

    3 hours ago
    Santorum: ‘This is a two-person race’

    Posted by
    CNN's Ashley Killough

    (CNN) – Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum on Sunday declared himself Mitt Romney’s main competitor, essentially dismissing Newt Gingrich as a frontrunner.

    “We think this is a two-person race right now,” Santorum said, referring to Romney, on CNN’s “State of the Union.” “We’re focused on making sure that folks know that we’re the best alternative to Barack Obama.”

    His comments follow new poll results that show the former Pennsylvania senator surging in the race. Gallup’s national daily tracking poll on Saturday indicated Santorum in second place with 24% behind Romney at 34%. Meanwhile, Gingrich fell to third place with 17% support.

    In addition, a new survey released Friday showed Santorum in first place in Tennessee, which holds its primary on Super Tuesday on March 6, followed by Romney in second and Gingrich in third.

    The poll results followed big wins for Santorum in the Republican nominating contest this week that sparked more than $3 million in a fundraising haul. He plans to campaign heavily in Michigan and Arizona ahead of their upcoming primaries on February 28.: Unquote. This Sanitorium Guy should be iliving on the moon with Gingrich. It may be a two-man race, but he aint one of them."

    February 13, 2012 at 1:55 pm |
    • Zlatko

      something like, Frankly, we've got plenty to do anuord here without having to repeatedly defend a law arising from a wedge issue trotted out to score political points and prevent a problem that only exists in the minds of some prejudiced people. I'd like to think Obama is on a boldness kick and has rediscovered where his support lies, but I don't. He's been a no show in the battle going on in Wisconsin, disgustingly so. His SOTU and budget both serve to validate Republicans' politically self-serving talking points about the need to cut spending, even though doing so will only stall or reverse economic recovery — ironically, postponing the day when the economy is finally back in shape and some serious deficit reduction can take place without spiking unemployment and chilling demand.Oh yes, Obama is a far better president than the one he replaced. But this period we're in calls for a Roosevelt, Truman or Johnson-type fighter and reformer, not an appeaser. The fact Obama either doesn't understand that or does but chooses to ignore it leaves him as a muddler who's blowing more opportunities to make a difference, to set things right, than most presidents ever get.

      April 3, 2012 at 3:35 pm |
    • GenteBien

      The more I see, FR, the more convinced I am that he only makes sntorg stands with some kind of sntorg backup. The Wisconsinites seem to be stiffening his resolve. It's past time something did.

      April 5, 2012 at 4:27 am |
  4. zipi

    Disappointment!!
    I thought he would win a Romani but with such nonsense
    He did not get very far.

    February 11, 2012 at 11:18 pm |
  5. Doug Ericson

    Santorum has some good positions, ( no bailouts for example), but when he goes off on Religeous tangents, he sounds more like an Imam. Romney has done a better job of posing himself in purely Political terms, even though he too, has strong Religeous beliefs. I don't even know what religeon Newt is. Not sure of Pauls Religeon either, although I know Newt and Ron are Christians. Whats this have to do with Womens role in combat? Religeous attitudes influence the candidates position on womans issues to some degree, depending on the candidate.

    February 11, 2012 at 8:52 am |
  6. Dan 5404

    Santorum may be a hero to ultra right wingers and evangelicals, but he is a real loser with women and the rest of American voters.

    February 10, 2012 at 11:33 pm |
  7. Aldo Martinez

    Two things:
    1. I agree with Jason as an another example I give CNNs commentary after President Obama clarified the issue on the health care rule impacting contraceptics – CNN said "President Obama scales back ..." Really? How about sayng "President Obama works to reach consensus" or "President Obama comes up with a solution to ..." - it's in the SPIN guys - since when trying to do what this government was created to do – compromise – becomes a negative.
    2. Wasn't Santorum the one who said "there should be no sex in the military"? - I think this guy is a little consummed with the "sex" thing – he should get over it. BTW and as to dimished capabilities – I know some women who can make an army surrender and some guys who cannot fight their way out of a paper bag - why don't we trust professionals in the military to do their thing - they seem to know best.

    February 10, 2012 at 5:30 pm |
  8. Christine

    Just watched the interview with Santorum. As a Catholic woman, I am offended that he, and other men of the Republican Party, purport that they know what is best for a woman's contraceptive choices. I heard him say that the cost of contraceptives is not so great as to even require insurance to cover the cost! Does he not realize that the $50-$100 per month could be significant to a woman who might already have a family and limited means? Even those with an income might find it hard to find the funds to consistently pay for this medicine. So, the alternative is for women to face the possibility of unwanted pregnancies, or enduring very painful menstrual cycles which impact a woman's ability to work several days per month. I do not want someone with such limited views to make decisions for myself and my daughters' health. Why is it that there is no outrage at insurance for Viagra (short answer: because men are the ones who mostly benefit from that medication).
    Wolf, I think you let Santorum off easy when he suggested women pay for their own contraceptives. Shame on you all.

    February 10, 2012 at 5:26 pm |
    • Steve

      Christine – Santorum is trying to protect your indivdual liberties, not impose his limited views on you. The "soft tyranny" of the new Democratic Party that you, the media, and much of the moderate Republicans fail to recognize is leading the citizenry to slaughter. The problem is, you're taking me with you.

      Do you file a claim with your car insurance everytime you perform maintenance on it? If we use insurance for more than "catastrophic events", it drives the cost up – for all of us. Conservatives aren't interested in taking your contraceptives away. Is it too much to ask that if you want something (health insurance, contraceptives, cell phones, housing, food, etc) that you pay for it yourself? I do. Being an American means making your own way, unencumbered by government, yet protected to pursue (your own version of) happiness. I want you to be free without treading on me.

      March 2, 2012 at 6:47 pm |
    • Sunil

      , there have been many times I've had to say to myself, He's still tbeter than the best Republican. If I want MY type of change I should do more than complain and a bunch of other excuses to continue to stand behind the President. It's good to see him stand up for the right thing, letting me support him without turning a blind eye to the things I wish he had done differently.

      April 4, 2012 at 11:28 am |
  9. Elad

    A mistake made today in the interview with Rick Santorum about women serving in combat roles in the Israeli Defense Force. Women can serve in combat roles and there's no law that allows discrimination based on gender. The special unit "Caracal Battalion" is one example and another example is two women pilots in the IAF, "Shari" a nevigator and Roni Zuckerman, the first jet fighter pilot in the IAF.
    Another example: Airborne helicopter engineer Sgt.-Maj. (res.) Keren Tendler was the first female IDF combat soldier to be killed in action. Last example: The IDF commando K9 unit, Oketz, also drafts females as elite combat soldiers.

    February 10, 2012 at 5:24 pm |
  10. Jason

    It would be appreciated if you wouldnt give lip service to people like RIck Santorum. You don't interview Fred Phelps why do you interview Rick Santorum. Rick Is a BIGOT. CNN is becoming more like Fox News with Air Fleischer and these interviews with Rick Santorum. The reason I watch CNN is for Jack Cafferty. I am but CNN has become a News Channel that I feel is trying to be like Fox News

    February 10, 2012 at 5:05 pm |

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