Rick Santorum Explains Racially-Charged Attack On Obama

Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum (R), a potential 2012 presidential contender, is attempting to trudge out of the mess that he waded into Wednesday when he seemed to suggest that it was objectionable for Obama to be pro-choice because he was black.

Here's his response to the Christian Broadcasting Network, on which he gave the original comments.

"For decades certain human beings were wrongly treated as property and denied liberty in America because they were not considered persons under the constitution. Today other human beings, the unborn of all races, are also wrongly treated as property and denied the right to life for the same reason; because they are not considered persons under the constitution. I am disappointed that President Obama, who rightfully fights for civil rights, refuses to recognize the civil rights of the unborn in this country."

While the linking of slavery to abortion may be repulsive to some, it at least provides some additional context to the clumsy comments made on two very sensitive issues.

Here is Santorum's original comment concerning his own pro-life views and why he disputes the president's belief that women should have a right to choose.

"The question is, and this is what Barack Obama didn't want to answer -- is that human life a person under the constitution?" he said. "And Barack Obama says no. Well if that human life is not a person then I find it almost remarkable for a black man to say 'now we are going to decide who are people and who are not people.'"

Comments

[Gayton Lawless]

01:16 AM on 01/28/2011

Puleeeze! On the one hand you have these dang Tea Party/GOP'ers wanting to erase and dilute the memory of slavery in this country from the minds of all Americans. For example the Tea Party in Tennessee what publishers of education materials to limit language surrounding "our founding fathers" owning slaves. BUT, when it's convenient, you have people like Rick "needs to be in a" Sanitorium, and Michelle Bachman making references to slavery to make their points. COME ON MAN!! You can't have it both ways. The ONLY reason slavery is being eluded to is because of the pigment of the man in The White House...period.

[HWD 19579]

03:51 PM on 01/25/2011

Whenever I hear a Prodestant Christian Male, start trying to explain and make comments, on
african americans being once-upon-a-time considered only 3/5th a human being, or none at all
along with once being listed as property", ........I can't help "but shake, all the way down to my
toes"., as the forefathers"of Mr. Santorum, created and molded all into a nice little economic
profit and wealth system", the using of human beings in bondage, to serve and make money,
only for the likes of" and the betterment" of him", It was very pointless for Mr. Santorum, to
even bring up the "name and race of the President, on a abortion conversation, and compare
it, as a life, for life" comment", when it has been a documented fact over 400 years old and
still counting, that the true value, measurement, protection and sanctity of life, in this county
matters, depending on who's life are we talking about?. And guys like Mr. Santorum, have a
very low history record", of being inclusive to all of life's creatations, on the exact same degree
level of importance! and regard for!" If, Mr.Santorum, is not another Palin/Beck/Limbaugh",
'flame bomb thrower", he might want to spend more time,asking himself, why he felt, he
needed to throw the President's Name into that disscussion, and then call out the fact that,
the President, does not look like him."

[Stephanie Eaton Agosta]

01:24 PM on 01/25/2011

his 'macaca' moments

[kincaid0329]

01:23 PM on 01/22/2011

Why are people surprised about the way the gop talk and think about us Blacks. This is not something they care about - we know this and so do you (GOPers). I and You know they hate us as many of you do. Who gives a damn -

[Snozberry]

12:11 PM on 01/22/2011

Take it from a Pennsylvanian: We're glad he's gone.

[theubermensch]

05:24 PM on 01/22/2011

Yes, but as a two year resident now, Toomey doesn't excite me. PA signed my exit card. They picked Toomey over Sestak. This state is done. I'm leaving very soon.

[Clevelandinwi]

09:58 AM on 01/22/2011

Are you not listened to? Do you have no ideas? Do you need attention? Go to rickysanctum.com and follow the steps there and you, too, can be on huffington post for saying really, really stupid stuff.

[robertdaniel]

09:42 AM on 01/22/2011

This is the kind of fuzzy thinking that makes Fox/Limbaugh fans even more ignorant than they already are.

[Toonadude]

11:53 PM on 01/21/2011

Rick -- a suggestion:

We could hear your "explanation" much more clearly if you would move the hole in the hood to a point directly in front of your mouth.

Regards

[Joe Krumbach]

07:40 PM on 01/21/2011

Back pedal away there Rick. You look as foolish as Sarah Palin did when she said those shotgun crosshairs were the put over the various States. Just admit what you are, a racist whiteboy.

[Joe Krumbach]

07:40 PM on 01/21/2011

Back pedal away their Rick. You look as foolish as Sarah Palin did when she said those shotgun crosshairs were the put over the various States. Just admit what you are, a racist whiteboy.

[Bostontru2u]

05:54 PM on 01/21/2011

Soon, a list of names of all the pedophile Priests will be published. I wonder if Rick knew any, and that's why he's acting Rectal again.

[rgilley]

04:30 PM on 01/21/2011

Rick Santorumis a racisist and That is enough to explain his remarks.

[Cindy Stipes Schneider]

04:23 PM on 01/21/2011

You can't be pro-war and pro-life, at the same time.

[amd02148]

05:41 PM on 01/21/2011

Fanned cindy faved

[David Edward Anthony]

11:41 PM on 01/21/2011

Only in America can you be:

-Pro-Death Penalty
-Pro-War
-Pro-Unmanned Drone Bombs
-Pro-Nuclear Weapons
-Pro-Guns, Pro-Torture
-Pro-Land Mines

AND still call yourself ‘Pro-Life.’

I wish I thought of that one- I got it from John Fugelsang's website at http://www.blog.johnfugelsang.com/

[bluntobject]

04:20 PM on 01/21/2011

No explanation from this guy matters. He is a right wing lunaticK.
 
:)

[Cindy Stipes Schneider]

04:18 PM on 01/21/2011

Once again, a MAN trying to tell a WOMAN what she can, and cannot do, with HER own body.

[rgilley]

04:31 PM on 01/21/2011

It's not his first attempt to do so. This wacko is dangerous to the freedom of All Americans not just women.