Santorum opposes civil unions for same-sex couples

Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum, a vocal opponent of gay marriage, said today he opposes civil unions, too.

In response to a question by Dean Reynolds for the "CBS Evening News," the former Pennsylvania senator said same-sex couples should work through the legal system to obtain rights similar to those enjoyed by legally married couples.

(Watch a clip of the interview in the video player above.)

"I believe in people's right to be able to contract for whatever benefits that they have," Santorum told Reynolds.

"I believe in freedom of contract and people should be able to contract for hospitalization visits, being able to take insurance policies or life insurance," he added. "And I've encouraged folks if they want to build those relationships to do that." (Watch more of the interview with Reynolds on Wednesday's "CBS Evening News with Scott Pelley.")

Santorum has spoken out numerous times against gay marriage. In a January 2011 interview on CNN, Santorum said he supports a federal marriage amendment defining marriage between a man and a woman.

"Marriage cannot be defined differently from one state to another," Santorum said. "For the interest of children, for the interest of society and stability of men and women of families, marriage should be what it is and that's the union of one man and one woman."

During an August interview on Fox News, Santorum told host Megyn Kelly that he respects people's "decision" to be gay, but disagrees with them "vehemently about what is in the best interest of society with respect to our marriage laws."

"I have friends who are gay," Santorum told Kelly. "It's not personal; it's about policy."

[david0296]

"Marriage cannot be defined differently from one state to another," Santorum said.

Opposite-sex marriage already IS defined differently from one state to another. There are different age requirements, some states require blood tests, and almost two-dozen states allow first-cousins to marry. The funny thing is, I haven't heard Santorum or any other GOP candidate trying to ban first-cousin marriage. I wonder why?

[rightontarget]

Anybody check HIS family tree????

[rightontarget]

Rick Santorum can be as "true to his convictions" as he wants within his own personal life but trying to impose those "convictions" upon EVERYONE by seeking office, a position where he is to represent the interests of ALL the people (even those who do not share his "convictions")is just wrong!! If you want to preach your convictions go get yourself a church (that way people can choose to go listen to you or not) but do not use the run for political office as your pulpit. This homophobic bigot is nothing but a self-righteous fanatic who sees himself as some type of "crusaider" or "savoir". Somewhere in the Good Book it warns about "false prophets". Bigotry and prejudice are never a good thing. I am not for any of the clowns the GOP is putting forth but I agree with Ron Paul's statement. I think Sanctimonious Santorum is a "fake"!

[9bear]

Imagine your baby struggling to breathe, stuck by needles, on a respirator, eyes taped shut, in a stark white, noisy room it's entire life, only to die 2 hrs later. See the need for prenatal testing and birth control? You do, unless you're just ignorant and/or deluded. I've worked with them; I can't help but wonder if there is consciousness there; if there is, those babies must think they're being tortured by giants, and their entire life is a hellish nightmare! Those sanctimonious bastards think an imaginary scorekeeper wants them to subject women and babies to this kind of torture, rather than use birth control! What kind of real god would really want that? MIND BOGGLING!
Now, imagine your baby grew up healthy, but was gay. Santorum would be more devastated to have a gay child than a dead one, I guess.
Taking the same "biblical cue," Virginia wants to sanction rape. Ignorant sheeple men and women are convinced a fairy tale is real and is what needs to happen to make their imaginary friend happy, and wants everyone to believe it, too! ASTOUNDING!
Any THINKING person rejects that ideology.
I am totally offended by what is going on!
The church is infecting politics and it has to stop!
Wake up people!

[david0296]

He believes in "freedom of contract"? What does he think a marriage is? A contract between two non-related adults that creates a legal kinship. (Further proof that Rick is an idiot.) If he believes that marriage is a religious institution, good for him. But non-religious straight couples are permitted to marry in our country, and I have yet to hear him trying to ban them from marrying. The same goes for procreation; he's not trying to ban infertile couples, the elderly, or straight couples that don't want children from getting married. Because of his religious beliefs, he thinks gay people are immoral. Good for him. Immoral straight people get married every single day in our country. Newt Gingrich ring a bell? Perhaps Rick could explain why Newt was permitted to marry for the third time? He's not starting a family. According to Rick that is the only reason why opposite-sex couples have that privilege... to procreate. No doubt, Rick will come up with yet another lie to mask his homophobia and bigotry.

[ThomasAlex]

He will never be president. So I could careless what he thinks. But if I was him, I'd get an education, one he does not have. No body chose to be Gay, just like he did not choose to be Straight. So why deny Americans their constitutional rights for being born a different way?

[ellensmithee]

Santorum is a lunatic hate machine.
How can anyone say they are 'pro family' and then refuse to allow people to form families?
I don't think Santorum knows what 'pro family' means. What he means is he's 'pro anyone who thinks like him'.

Will the Republican Party please put up a real candidate? Make him an actual human being, please.

[antoniof123]

This guy is a wack job from the word go his own state told him to take a hike with a 17 point beating. Nothing more to say about this clown. Except I hope he wins the nom so we can just laugh all the way to seeing Obama take another easy win for four more.

[unclebernies]

Rick you are severly conservative

[AOCGUY]

Let me get this straight;

- he is opposed to sex, except inside a state sactioned contract between a man and a woman solely for the purpose of procreation.

- he is opposed to contraception because it prevents conception (I expect that means he is also opposed to masturbation and wet dreams on the basis that it is manslaughter)

- he wants to ban (and break up existing) same sex marriages

- he wants to break up families whre one or more may be in this country illegally

- he wants to go to war with Iran over weapons they do not possess

- I suspect he would like to mandate his perverted brand of Christianity (which apparantly includes sleeping with dead babies)

- and he wants to be our President

All I can say is WOW!

Shouldn't someone do an intervention on thsi man because he is certifiably nuts.

[AOCGUY]

I'm not exactly sure what Santorum is trying to do but I am absolutely positive he is not trying to become the President of the United States. Everything out of his mouth and those of his supporters are aimed directly towards going down in flames, spectacular flames I might add.