Santorum: Democrats are "anti-science," not me

By: Rebecca Kaplan
Topics: Campaign 2012

Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum speaks at Froehlich's Classic Corner Feb. 20, 2012, in Steubenville, Ohio.

(Credit: AP Photo)

STEUBENVILLE, Ohio - Portraying himself as a native son of Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio, Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum Monday emphasized his heritage as the grandson of a coal miner and railed against environmental regulations that have diminished the coal industry in the region.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we need someone who understands, who comes from the coal fields, who comes from the steel mills, who understands what average working people in America need to be able to provide for themselves and their families," Santorum said to a crowd of about 500 people in the Democratic-leaning eastern edge of the state.

Special Section: Election 2012
Candidate Page: Rick Santorum
Santorum defends World War II 2012 election comparison

Santorum's claim to have come "from the coal fields" is a stretch - by two generations. He has never worked in a coal mine. His parents' professions were psychologist and nurse, and Santorum is a lawyer who has spent all of his adult life in politics.

But he frequently invokes his grandfather, who worked in the auto factories of Detroit and then the coal mines of Western Pennsylvania after he immigrated to the United States from Italy.

In his remarks Monday, Santorum went beyond his usual discussion of the importance of increasing domestic energy production to deliver a blistering attack on environmental activists. He said global warming claims are based on "phony studies," and that climate change science is little more than "political science."

His views are not "anti-science" as Democrats claim, Santorum said. "When it comes to the management of the Earth, they are the anti-science ones. We are the ones who stand for science, and technology, and using the resources we have to be able to make sure that we have a quality of life in this country and (that we) maintain a good and stable environment," he said to applause, and cited local ordinances to reduce coal dust pollution in Pittsburgh during the heyday of coal mining.

Santorum also discussed religious faith and the importance of family at length, a popular topic for him in many of the Midwestern states he has visited recently. He accused President Obama of degrading the institution of marriage with provisions in his health care law.

Santorum: Obama's worldview upside-down
Santorum remark on Obama "theology" draws ire
Santorum attacks Obama on prenatal screening

"You realize that if you're married under Obamacare, you pay a lot more than if you're living together under Obamacare. A lot more. Thousands of dollars more, for the average American family who pay if you're married," he said. "If you divorced and live together, Obamacare gives you a break and they do this on other areas of the government. That's what the marriage penalty was all about, for years."

Rebecca Kaplan
Rebecca Kaplan covers the 2012 presidential campaign for CBS News and National Journal.
Follow on Twitter »

595 Comments +

Add a Comment

See all 595 Comments


by aCNETusername April 2, 2012 11:05 AM EDT: I think its kinda cute how you Americans let retarded persons pretend to run for president.

Its a bit like setting up a toy steering-wheel at the backseat, so the kids can sit and pretend to drive.

I winder what will be his next proclamation from teabag gumball-land.; Reply to this comment


by CNH February 24, 2012 10:42 PM EST: Sanctimonious, theocracy-minded politicians and pundits such as Palin, Santorum, and Bachmann have redefined what constitutes science to fit their own point of view. Therefore, they equate real science with natural phenomena under the control of God.

What they don't understand is that science is not merely a body of knowledge accumulated over the centuries, it is also the process through which this knowledge is attained. And so simply declaring that something is true because it says so in the Bible (or any other literary source) cannot be construed as science if that "fact" or "idea" was not the result of a valid, structured, self-critical scientific process.; Reply to this comment


by KansasCity-2012 February 24, 2012 4:24 PM EST: Rick Santorum flopped as sensible thinking American Worker. Here is the proof: He talks about two contradicting ideologies industrial deregulation and family values.

How can one advocate removal of regulations designed to protect workers and then later preach about family values.

It is like saying, we will remove all traffic laws from the highway transportation system and for all the accidents and losses which result, we will encourage families to become closer and take care of each other as members of their households are killed off one by one.; Reply to this comment


by ge556 February 24, 2012 11:15 AM EST: Question for a debate moderator or a town hall meeting:
Sen. Santorum, you say you are pro-science. 97% of climate experts believe that global warming is caused by human activities, including CO2 emissions. It has been predicted to cause increased droughts, storms, floods, and extinctions, and we are beginning to see that happening. Do you support reduction of CO2 emissions to solve the problem?; Reply to this comment


by bob_scofield February 23, 2012 2:46 AM EST: Wow, the "I know you are but what am I" defense. Very 2nd grade of him.; Reply to this comment


by lg144 February 23, 2012 1:11 AM EST: Republicans are anti science, anti woman and anti The 99 percent yet voters keep electing them. So who is the stupid one, republicans or the voters?; Reply to this comment


by TheAdultInTheRoom February 23, 2012 12:42 AM EST: In other words, Santorum goes: "I know you are, but what am I, Obama? Boooga Boooga Boooga!!"

Romney keeps it civil with the classic, "I'm rubber, you're glue."; Reply to this comment


by Fatesrider February 22, 2012 7:54 PM EST: Personally, I hope Santorum wins the GOP nomination. He's the ONLY candidate that would get me back into politics and voting.

I'd register to vote against him.

Fortunately, the likelihood of his winning is roughly the same as there actually being an entity known as "Satan". Ooooo.... Scary...

If Santorum wins the GOP nomination, Democrats everywhere will be rejoicing because the simple truth is that the majority of Americans would rather see four more years of Obama than let this nutcase loose in the oval office.; Reply to this comment


by margroks February 22, 2012 4:21 PM EST: What a moron. "Democrats are anti-science?" I mean seriously.; Reply to this comment


by amerilatino February 22, 2012 3:28 PM EST: Since this gem brings up his immigrant grandfather, no doubt the poor old man would have had a fitting nickname for Ricky, "Il fessacchiotto."; Reply to this comment