Rick Santorum to Mitch Daniels: Defund Planned Parenthood in Indiana
Former Sen. Rick Santorum, who has criticized Gov. Mitch Daniels for his call for a "truce" on social issues, is now calling on his potential 2012 rival to sign a controversial bill to cut $3 million in funding to Planned Parenthood in Indiana.
"That's an organization that has a very sordid history and founding and one that I still think focuses in on activities that a lot of people have moral objections to," Santorum said in an interview with CBS News political analyst John Dickerson Thursday.
"Public funds should not be used for that purpose," he added. Planned Parenthood provides abortion services, among other health services, though they are barred by law from using federal taxpayer money.
Santorum, who may face Daniels in a Republican presidential primary, reiterated his support for "strong families, strong marriages" and his opposition to concessions on social issues.
"We can't have limited government and unlimited license and chaos," Santorum said. "You have to have people living responsible lives."
Santorum was in Washington Thursday to deliver a speech on foreign policy. He also addessed President Obama's release of his long-form birth certificate Wednesday.
"Why did it take him two and a half years if it was no story?" Santorum, who has previously called the birther issue a distraction, said Thursday.
"I made the assumption, and I think a lot of Americans did, there must be something that he wants to hide, there must be something on his birth certificate he doesn't want people to know," he added.
"We've all done things that we're embarrassed about, that we don't want our kids to know about," Santorum said. "But this is a public document. That's why I thought this was a little silly." (Mr. Obama had previously released his short-form birth certificate; he had received a special dispensation to release the long-form.)
Santorum told Dickerson he keeps his birth certificate in a safety deposit box.
As for the upcoming Republican presidential debate in South Carolina, Santorum said he hopes to participate but is still examining the criteria for participation, which include having formally declared an exploratory committee.
Check back for more of Dickerson's interview with Santorum on CBSNews.com's "Washington Unplugged" Friday.
