January 23, 2012 6:57 PM

Santorum: I don't need to correct claim Obama is Muslim

By
Lindsey Boerma
Topics
Campaign 2012
LADY LAKE, Fla. - Rick Santorum said Monday he doesn't see the need to correct audience members who make misstatements. His comment came after a woman critical of President Obama at a forum misidentified the president as Muslim.

The woman told Santorum, "He is an avowed Muslim and my question is, why isn't something being done to get him out of our government?" Santorum responded: "Believe me ... I'm doing everything I can to get him out of the government."

The former Pennsylvania senator defended his approach to reporters afterward.

"It's not my responsibility as a candidate to correct everybody who makes a statement that I disagree with," Santorum said. "There are lots of people who get up and say stuff in a town hall meeting and say things that I don't agree with, but I don't think it's my obligation, nor should it be your feeling that it's my obligation to correct somebody who says something that I don't agree with."

The issue has surfaced with GOP audiences in the past. During the 2008 presidential campaign, Republican John McCain answered a question who pejoratively described Mr. Obama as an "Arab" by saying: "No, ma'am. He's a decent family man ... [a] citizen that I just happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues."

Also at Monday's event, two Occupy Tampa protestors were dragged out for interrupting the event after they shouted "stop the hate!" and tossed glitter toward Santorum. (There were three protesters total, but one went quietly.) All three protestors were cited for trespassing and detained until the event was over.

Santorum told reporters the Occupy members have a right to protest, but that he hopes they can be "respectful."

Full CBS News coverage: Rick Santorum

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Rick Santorum on the campaign trail

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  • Lindsey Boerma

    Lindsey Boerma covers the 2012 presidential campaign for CBS News and National Journal.

Add a Comment See all 94 Comments
by queenofromania January 25, 2012 1:38 PM EST
Birds of a feather...
Reply to this comment
by wdrussell1 January 25, 2012 8:43 AM EST
Hey crazy Rick, it is not your job to be president either, you worthless dirtbag.
Reply to this comment
by sweetcakesmaria January 25, 2012 1:42 AM EST
That type of attitude coming from someone who wants to lead this Country typifies why this Country is so divided. Santorum stated that it is not his job to make a stand for what's right yet he wants to be the leader of the free world. It's unbelievable that he would stand patiently by and listen to that stupid misinformed dribble coming from that woman without making any attempt to correct her.
Reply to this comment
by The Platzner Post January 24, 2012 6:39 PM EST
And we don't have to correct his name on Google either!!!
Reply to this comment
by nfission January 24, 2012 3:54 PM EST
Santorum wants these misguided people to stay misguided, that's the Republican way. GOP wants to keep facts away from people who watch faux news.
Reply to this comment
by CNH January 24, 2012 3:21 PM EST
Santorum right. It's not his job, it's the job of a leader.
Reply to this comment
by life-rox January 24, 2012 5:26 PM EST
This is the most intelligent, lucent post I have ever read.
by thatchmo62 January 24, 2012 3:17 PM EST
Why should Santorum correct her when you have a willing press (CBS included) tripping over themselves to do it? Why else would they have this story?
Reply to this comment
by irreverentasever January 24, 2012 2:37 PM EST
Golly, did you see the hair color job on Santorum at the last debate. Apparently that's how he wants to show the difference between he, Gingrich and Romney.
Reply to this comment
by PCL1 January 24, 2012 1:04 PM EST
This is just the latest example of some of the petty, spiteful creeps that are attracted to public office. Donald Trump's pathetic Birther-mongering and Mitt Romney's willingness to pose with a woman carrying a sign equating Obama with "Osama" are also good examples, as was John Kerry's description of 9-11 "inside job" theories as "interesting" rather than calling them out as bunk. With all of his faults, McCain looks pretty good next to these guys.
Reply to this comment
by Lindag10 January 24, 2012 12:24 PM EST
by JV1970 January 24, 2012 11:41 AM EST
Lindag10 If you aren't a Christian don't blame me! I've never even met you! You're an adult and resonsible for your own sins! It's time you stopped blaming others for the way that you are!


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JV: on her pulpit again!!! Poor thing just doesn't understand "cause and effect". P.S. JV you're just how someone else discribed you "a sour old maid who sits in her house judging others".
Reply to this comment
by JV1970 January 27, 2012 1:07 AM EST
I'm going to repeat to you what I told you on page 4. There comes a time when you have to put on your big girl pants and stop blaming others for what happened to you in the past and for who and what you are now and be reponsible for your own sins. I'm going to repeat that you're an adult. That time has come. Neither I nor anyone else is responsible for you now.
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