Rick Santorum: Women In Combat Could Create 'Compromising Situation' Because Of 'Emotions' (VIDEO) [UPDATED]

Updated below:

Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum expressed skepticism on Thursday about a recent decision by the Pentagon to open up more military roles for women on the front lines, suggesting their "emotions" could create a "compromising situation" if they were thrown into combat.

Asked by CNN's John King if the move, "perhaps opening the door to a broader role for women in combat," was an idea he'd support as president, Santorum responded:

"I want to create every opportunity for women to be able to serve this country, and they do so in an amazing and wonderful way and they're a great addition -- and they have been for a long time -- to the armed services of our country."

Then came the big "but."

"But I do have concerns about women in front-line combat, I think that could be a very compromising situation, where people naturally may do things that may not be in the interest of the mission, because of other types of emotions that are involved," Santorum continued. "It already happens, of course, with the camaraderie of men in combat, but I think it would be even more unique if women were in combat, and I think that's probably not in the best interest of men, women or the mission."

(Video above, flagged by The Atlantic)

Santorum has frequently been vocal about his personal beliefs on the dynamic of soldiers in the military. He opposed the repeal of "don't ask, don't tell," suggesting that openly gay soldiers would upset the order in barracks because they would be in "close quarters" with their comrades.

The new Pentagon guidelines, which now go to Congress, "still ban women from serving as infantry, armor and special operations forces, which are considered the most dangerous combat jobs," the Associated Press reports. Instead, they'll be allowed to serve in existing roles such as medics, military police, helicopter pilots and intelligence officers at the battalion level, meaning their duties could bring them much closer to combat. Some were quick to note that this had already been taking place in some military operations.

If lawmakers don't act to counter the change, the new measures will be adopted into official Pentagon policy.

UPDATE:

Santorum clarified his comments in an interview Friday morning on NBC's "Today":

"[I meant] exactly what I said," he maintained. "When you have men and women together in combat, I think there's -- men have emotions when you see a woman in harm's way. I think it's something that's natural, that's very much in our culture to be protective, and that was my concern."

Santorum then rejected a suggestion by NBC's Ann Curry that some had interpreted his original remarks to be a commentary on
"women being emotional."

"I've never raised that as a concern. No, the issue is -- and certainly one that has been talked about for a long, long time -- is how men would react to seeing women in harm's way, or potentially being injured or in a vulnerable position, and not being concerned about accomplishing the mission."

 

 

Comments

[thatdogguy]

02:03 PM on 05/22/2012

Santorum needs to go away.

[C Karen Stopford]

10:53 AM on 04/09/2012

Darn those meddlesome uteri!

[kannbrown65]

10:33 AM on 04/09/2012

So, soldiers aren't supposed to help each OTHER when they get into dangerous situations?

[aviana]

09:40 AM on 03/30/2012

as a woman, everytime i hear a man (especially one IN the military) express the view that i would not be suited for the military because of my female status, i mentally bang my head into a wall because it drives me crazy. i know men from the military and i'm very sure i am far less emotionally volatile than they just by observation. also, comraderie and friendship are important in the army, in the end your looking out for your mates, so whether your a woman or a man would not make much of a difference. your comrad is your comrad.... so please explain his logic to me. physical fitness is often thrown in the way as well and i know some of the fittest women around who can more than compete with men.
the problem lies not with us, but with men who refuse to entertain the idea that we could truly excel given the chance.

[El Chingaso]

12:57 PM on 05/13/2012

Um, nice try.

[ChaCubed]

03:33 PM on 03/11/2012

I just made a joke about this in another thread, when it occured to me that being willing to risk your life to save a fellow soldier is the glue that holds combat units together, is it not? And has it not always been so?

[NobleTry]

04:45 PM on 03/10/2012

Why not start with women having to register for Selective Service, just like men do, when they turn 18?

[kannbrown65]

10:35 AM on 04/09/2012

I agree, absolutely. They should. If the ones who care about women being in combat think twice about going to war if it means thinking twice about starting one, if it might lead to a draft, then that's not exactly a bad thing. They SHOULD think twice about sending their sons, for that matter.

[NobleTry]

07:55 PM on 04/09/2012

I agree. I think if more women saw the world through men's eyes....then things might begin to change.

[Purrfection]

10:28 AM on 02/28/2012

Its obvious Rick has never served in the military. You are trained to deal with you emotions, be they on the battlefield or in an office environment. I've heard this old argument made many times. Hysterical, emotional women unable to control their mental state due to hormones and the poor men unable to do their duty because of it. I found the article quite condescending. Of COURSE there's a place for women in the military. And that would be as cooks or supply clerks and perhaps cleaning up after the menfolk. Nothing wrong with anyone being a cook or supply clerk --- all those things are needed. But the insinuation from Rick is degrading to women. Big shocker there --- practically everything exuding from the man reeks of bigotry and control. I sit agape listening to men like Santorum who think they know whats best for women and gays. Stay out of my bedwomb!

[lacrosselamore]

01:57 PM on 02/21/2012

Keep women barefoor and pregnant. The Santorum Way.

[nomdeplume13]

07:46 PM on 02/20/2012

Santorum obviously never learned of the Spartans and how successful they were because they were serving alongside their lovers, something the military encouraged. But that isn't surprising, since those lovers weren't women, and we all know what Mr. Santorum thinks of that.

[bb42495]

12:41 AM on 02/20/2012

Not just anti-gay, but sexist too! Oh, Santorum, just keep diggin' that hole deeper and deeper. The Liberals thank you.

[cadgbd]

09:46 PM on 02/15/2012

let 'em take point

[cadgbd]

09:44 PM on 02/15/2012

the brave new world order of empowered women, ready for the equal opportunity battlefield. For too long the male has been oppressed as a beast of burden, bearing the brunt of casualties.

Now is the time for the national organization of women to step forward to set an example of their true bravery and willingness to fight and die for their entitlements, rather than cursing the men who suffer terribly.

This sexual tyranny must stop now. All women are to be drafted to the front lines on the double.

Women are moral and sensitive to every perceived slight, except for men broken. They disrespect those who die for them regularly.

Gays can fight real good, they take to killing like a duck to water, after all, the nazis were gay:

http://www.defendthefamily.com...

in nature the female lion hunts, female ants and bees are the worker/soldier.

the black widow spider eats her mate afterwards.

female bees cast the male drones out into the cold cruel world to die

"the female is the deadlier of the species"

send 'em up fro

[Fenrir Lokison]

04:50 PM on 02/15/2012

While I agree that women should not be in combat roles. I would still not say they should not. If they want to die for their country on the combat field, then they should. But, they should not be allowed to moan that they are women and be treated special because of their gender.

[lacrosselamore]

01:58 PM on 02/21/2012

REread your own post and tell me it makes sense.

[Fenrir Lokison]

03:49 PM on 02/21/2012

Yes makes sense to me. And that is the problem...I and those who know me know what I am getting at. Sorry.

Let me rephrase...

I do not personally believe women should be in combat either. However, I believe in the rights given to men and women and children under the law should be upheld and I would never interfere with that.

So, if a woman wants to be out there on that combat field ready to die for her country. She has to be expected to be treated like any other combat warrior. And that there should be no special treatment based on the grounds of her gender.

If she wants to be equal, then let her live up to the same standards as her male counterparts. Of course within certain logical limits based upon the female body. (And no this is not saying that women are any more limited than men, but to ignore certain obvious biological differences that makes woman woman and man man would be ignorant on our parts.)

[Eagleman]

09:19 PM on 02/13/2012

He is right.
Woman should be at home backing cookie, cooking, cleaning and please her man

Let us bring Sharia law

[Hannah B]

04:37 PM on 02/16/2012

disgusting! a woman's job is not to just do housework and please her man! we are as tough, if not sometimes tougher than men! and we have EVERY right to do whatever job we choose--whether it be in the military, a teacher, a CEO--and we should have equal shots and opportunities at these jobs!

[lacrosselamore]

01:59 PM on 02/21/2012

I think (hope) he was being sarcastic.

[El Chingaso]

01:00 PM on 05/13/2012

Hannah B, how much combat experience do you have? (Sounds like..."none.")

[AfterSomeThought]

05:11 PM on 02/13/2012

Wow - where's the Republican outrage?

If President Obama said this, they would be howling that he insulted the professionalism of our men and women in combat, calling him unfit to be commander-in-chief and completely ignorant of the situation on the ground in Afghanistan, where generals have specifically said, "there is no front line - everyone is in a combat situation."

And yet...they are strangely silent. Go figure.