Rick Santorum's Arlen Specter problem

Rick Santorum surged to a near-victory in the Iowa caucuses thanks in large part to his appeal to the social conservatives who dominate the Iowa GOP electorate. As he works to build on his momentum and become the consensus conservative alternative to Mitt Romney, social conservatives are taking a second look at the two-term Pennsylvania senator's record.

For the most part, they like what they see. A staunch Catholic who homeschooled his seven children, Santorum has been in line with social conservatives on abortion and same-sex marriage, among other issues important to the group; he has vowed to reinstate the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy and nullify all gay marriages.

There is one position, however, that social conservatives ask Santorum about regularly on the campaign trail, an issue that also comes up regularly on conservative talk radio: His support for former Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter in the 2004 GOP Senate primary. Specter, a moderate switched to the Democratic Party in 2009, is a supporter of gay rights - he voted to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" - and, more crucially, evolved into a staunch supporter of abortion rights.

When Santorum was trying to get his presidential campaign off the ground in 2010, he was asked at a conservative conference about his decision to back Specter over the more conservative Pat Toomey.

Santorum said he made a hard decision that was grounded in his opposition to abortion, saying Specter had agreed he would support then-President George W. Bush's Supreme Court nominees no matter what. Specter denies this assertion.

Santorum said he wanted to make sure the high court was as conservative as possible.

"You questioned my judgment, and you have every right to do so," Santorum told the questioner. "But please don't question my intention to do what's right for those little babies."

More recently, Santorum has defended his support for Specter by arguing that if Specter had lost his Senate seat, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito would not have been confirmed by the Senate.

Before she left the presidential race, Rep. Michele Bachmann went after Santorum on his support for Specter.

"Arlen Specter supplied the 60th vote that gave us Obamacare and gave us taxpayer-funded abortions," she said. "I never would have supported Arlen Specter, who is a pro-abortion candidate. I never would have done that, and so there are real differences between us."

You can expect Rick Perry, Santorum's chief challenger in the race to consolidate social conservative support, to raise Santorum's support for Specter ahead of the January 21 primary in deeply conservative South Carolina. Perry communications director Ray Sullivan recently told Hotsheet that South Carolina "will be the next big battle for the philosophical soul of the party," and Perry is largely skipping the New Hampshire primary in hopes of reinvigorating his campaign in the Palmetto State. 

Santorum's support for Specter is not Perry's only entry-point on abortion: While Santorum backed a bill to allow legal abortion in cases of rape or incest or when the mother's life is in danger, Perry recently said he no longer believes a woman should have access to legal abortion if she has been raped or the baby would be the product of incest.

Full CBS News coverage: Rick Santorum

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Rick Santorum on the campaign trail

[rmonroe401]

Yes, because a politician in these times can NEVER support another politician if they do not agree on 100% of issues. Is this what this country has come to? We are hopeless. It is over.

[a_chris80]

I'll never let Republicans regain control in the United States Senate and shall have no right to hurt and defunding PBS. All I want is to help Democrats resume and continue control to help save PBS.

[franknkissy]

Arlen Specter proves himself the rat ! Rick Santorum supports this politician who once defended a young man who kept his murdered girlfriend in a closet trunk - and as a reward Arlen betrays Rick's Trust & Past Support ! How many citizens supported Specter beside Santorum and how many would support Spector to ensure the wisest Judge on the Supreme Court - Samuel Alito would be confirmed ! As for Michelle Bachman - shame on her !

[ScottBrownForPresident]

Irrespective of Rick Santorum's homophobia, equality still eludes our gay heroes in uniform. Thanks to DOMA legally married same-sex military spouses are denied health insurance, commissary, housing allowance and other base privileges as compared to their opposite-sex married counterparts. For those interested - http://OUTmilitary.com has been providing a supportive environment for friending, sharing and networking between Gay active military, vets and supporters since December, 2010.

[rmonroe401]

Santorum is likely a closet homosexual. Just like Michelle's hubby.

[antoniof123]

I can only see Mitt has having a chance against Obama and I don't think I could stomach Mitt.

Looks like the Republicans will be clawing for another 4 years and I hope after the show they gave us at the end they will be out in the house.

[bantamei]

The 4th Amendment meens nothing to repugs.

[thebob-bob]

Add his Spector problem to his un-speakable Google problem, his impeccable gay fashion sense, his biblical/sharia law problem and he's got problems. Now if he could just give us a short list of how to live perfect lives and be clear on the consequences of not following that list, we would have heaven on Earth. No problem!

[equalizer14]

They are screening post here. what a bunch of complete hippos

[equalizer14]

Years ago, I had the chance to sit down and talk to several senators. Senator Rick Santorum was the only one that showed me respect as a citizen. it's funny how the dems are trying to save the worst president in history by slamming everyone that attemtpting to run against him. It's absolutely funny. GO CBS!!
We could go on for ever about the non credentials of OBama and they are visable for all to see. but you don't want to see them do ya? Obama is the biggest joke in our history!!

[bearfoot33]

only if you eliminate dubleya and our bonzo friend ronnie raygun!

[greenlantern1]

Was King Solomon, with his many wives, a good, Christian role model?
Clifford Spencer