Rick Santorum speaks out against women in front-line combat.When I heard that Rick Santorum appeared to have some sort of real shot at winning the Republican nomination, I thought, Ha ha. This is the homophobe whose last name had been recast by Dan Savage to define a disgusting byproduct of anal sex, right? People actually want to elect him? And by people I mean old, straight, white guys. Weellll ... as it turns out, no, it's not just old, straight, white men. It's also (likely birth control-using) WOMEN. What. The. Hell.
In Tennessee, Oklahoma, Alabama, and Mississippi, the ladies came out for sex and higher education-loathing Rick. In turn, The New Yorker asked, "How could [Mitt] Romney lose out among women to a candidate that virtually the entire mainstream media regards as an enemy of women’s rights?"
GOOD QUESTION! Especially considering the following terrifying Rick Santorum quotes ...
Every woman should know what Santorum believes before throwing themselves and American women under the bus for this dangerous candidate.
- Apparently, women can't go into front-line combat, because we're too "emotional." In February he said, "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. 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."
- Then, even when he clarified #1, he put his foot in his sexist mouth. "My concern is being in combat in that situation instead of being focused on the mission, [men] may be more concerned with protecting someone who may be in a vulnerable position, a woman in a vulnerable position ... And you know, there’s just, there are physical limitations."
- On opposing abortion, even in cases of rape or incest: "As horrible as the way that that son or daughter was created, it still is her child. ... I believe and I think the right approach is to accept this horribly created — in the sense of rape — but nevertheless a gift in a very broken way, the gift of human life, and accept what God has given to you. ... We have to make the best out of a bad situation," Santorum told Piers Morgan on CNN on January 20, 2012.
- On "evil" birth control: "One of the things I will talk about that no president has talked about before is the dangers of contraception in this country, the whole sexual libertine idea. Many in the Christian faith have said, ‘Well, that’s okay. Contraception’s okay.’ It’s not okay because it’s a license to do things in the sexual realm that is counter to how things are supposed to be ... I’m not running for preacher, I’m not running for pastor, but these are important public policy issues." Gaaahahhh!!!!
- Just try to wrap your head around this one about SAHMs. In his 2005 book, It Takes a Family, Santorum writes, "Respect for stay-at-home mothers has been poisoned by a toxic combination of the village elders’ war on the traditional family and radical feminism’s misogynistic crusade to make working outside the home the only marker of social value and self-respect.’’ Umm ...
- Which leads to this one, on "radical feminists" wanting equal career opportunities -- God forbid! "The radical feminists succeeded in undermining the traditional family and convincing women that professional accomplishments are the key to happiness. ... Radical feminists have been making the pitch that justice demands that men and women be given an equal opportunity to make it to the top in the workplace,” he writes in his book.
Do these quotes freak you out? Why or, especially, why not?!
Image via Mark Taylor/Flickr
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Comments 91
Floridammom96, I am not trying to be snarky here but can you explain to me why you are voting for him. I am a prochoice democrat but I can understand people voting for a candidate who is prolife and a republican but I am having a very hard time understanding voting for someone who in my mind is clearly against women's rights.
I do want to say though that I'm hating the scare tactics in this article... I just find it desperate and ridiculous when people talk about a "dangerous and terrifying candidate". It sounds so... Fox newsy to me. Bleh. We shouldn't be terrified by any public official. But I do agree that santorum is bat shit carazy.
This isn't in reference to the question, but an overall observation. Ms. Brown, since the "Rush Debacle" you've published five articles directly about the fact that he called someone a vile name, and several other of your articles reference it. Your point was well taken, that such vile name-calling should be denounced, completely, in and out of the political arena.
And then I read this in reference to the vile 'definition' of Santorum's name "Ha ha. This is the homophobe whose last name had been recast by Dan Savage to define a disgusting byproduct of anal sex, right?"
Really???? But I guess it's ok, since this vile name-calling is being applied to a Conservative Man, not a Liberal Woman? Nice double standard, there.
This guy terrifies me. Not just his thoughts on women, but on religion, gays, and pretty much any other topic he's spoken on so far.
That he even has a remote chance of running this country makes me want to dig a bomb shelter and not come out til 2016.
Autumnleaves87 - I don't normally prescribe to scare tactics myself, but Santorum is one candidate who actually does scare me. Let's face it, all candidates spew all kinds of things, things they think their constituency wants to hear. None of those things are typically dangerous though.
If Santorum were to make it to the presidency somehow, and if even one of his sick little fantasies were introduced as law, I would be on my way out of the country. Everything he says is so anti-woman, anti-liberty, that I have to believe he would use his messed up views against the people in some way.
I think he could be dangerous.
Bendana, just as no one is coming after your birth control. A claim you have still made no attempt to prove.
Procrastamom, the "nut job liberals" was in reference to your "EXTREME RIGHT WING CHRISTIANS" comment.
"so how is that not representing you? Geez, it's so sad that they would make it their personal agenda and vendettas to stand in the way of everything he has tried to do...just to spite him and regardless if it's good for the country;not to mention spread lies (can you say "birther" or "Muslim"?yep, those lies.) and it's sad that people would follow their example and vote for any looney just to NOT vote for Obama.If you have a problem with his policy that's one thing but this blatant hate for apparently NO reason (or because Fox News said he's bad)is just beyond me..." - MamaBearC
If this is your definition of manners, well, I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree and move on.
pezcharlotte, first and foremost I don't vote as a woman. I vote as an American citizen. My gender does not define my politics. Second, I don't know what you mean by "women's rights". I think Santorum does a great job standing for my rights. My right to speak my mind, own and carry a gun, hold the government accountable for overreaching and violating the constitution. He stands for the Constitution as it was written, not as many pretend it to be. I am not electing a friend or a husband. I am electing a person who will follow the original construct of the Constitution. Our constitutional republic is the most wonderful nation to ever exist. It protects the God given rights of every individual. It does not elevate the rights (or wants) of any group. Santorum seeks to do his best to uphold the Constitution in every aspect. That will always get my vote. I am a strict constructionist.