Posted on 09/13/2009 2:33:46 PM PDT by NYer
ORLANDO, FL, September 12, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Speaking to a room full of prominent US Catholic leaders Friday night, Senator Rick Santorum was challenged to run for the Republican Presidential nominaion. Responding to a room already thick with applause, Santorum revealed that he was indeed "thinking about it" but asked for prayers and detailed his thinking on the matter.
His remarks came after his address to the closing dinner of the 12th annual Catholic Leadership Conference - an invite-only gathering of Catholic leaders from academia, law, media, medicine, and politics, as well as leaders of movements within the Church such as pro-life, pro-family and evangelization. Posing the challenge was long-time legal, political, and media activist Keith Fournier.
Santorum is not only a Catholic in name but a faithful one who is noted for his strong pro-life activism and work to bring decency back to America. He revealed that he has seven children, with one in college. The reason why the sixth is not college-bound is the fact that his 16-month-old 'Bella' was born with Trisomy 18, a genetic disorder which is fatal before birth in 90 per cent of cases.
Santorum referred to Bella as "our angel" marveling at how she changed his life, and that of his family for the better. Speaking of children like Bella, he said, "They teach you things you can't even imagine."
Here Santorum turned to abortion describing his reason for fighting against it politically saying, "I think of we treat these people in society and how we destroy them. 86% of Down syndrome children are aborted - killed. And Down syndrome is 5 times better than what Bella has."
Considering how his children may themselves be the targets of nasty politics, as has happened in the recent past, gives Santorum pause. "That weighs on me," he said. "When you stand up for the things I do and say the things I say, they brutalize you and they won't stop at you."
Those are the things, he explained that "as a father I've got to think about."
"On the other side," he added, "as a father, I've got to think about whether they are going to have a country to live in Are they going to be able to practice their faith in a way that's consistent with what the Church teaches."
The last consideration in favor of his run was on the practical level. He said: "Six months ago I would not have spent ten seconds on your question, but it's not six months ago. I see that, I hate to be calculating, but I see that 2012 is not just throwing somebody out to be eaten, but it's a real opportunity for success."
In closing he said that while he was "thinking about it", it is the first time his ambition which is, as he said, "in his DNA" was checked by a resistance saying, "no, I'm not sure."
Ending the session, Catholic political powerhouse Deal Hudson (President George W. Bush's Catholic advisor for a period of time) cited Plato's famous saying that the best governors are those who do not wish to govern.
What are most of your feelings on this man? Does he measure up to a Sarah Palin, Mike Pence, Fred Thompson?
He would make a fantastic President, but I think he made too many mistakes that would haunt him in another run for office.
I’ll pray for you Rick. FOr good health, happiness, etc. BUT STAY THE HELL OFF THE PRESIDENTIAL trail.
He is wonderful, but seriously, his kids and wife don’t need to go through this.
Non-starter...please don’t do it.
Do it.
I’d take Santorum over Palin. It would be better for him if he could have served as governor in PA. Governorships are a good ‘spring board’ to the presidency.
Of course, 0bama seriously lowered the bar for what is needed to be considered. Hell, he may not even be Constitutionally eligible....
He would make a hella good Veep! Very good man...
DeMint/Pence 2012
Both were at the tea party!
Nice guy
Too nice.
A good man, but without executive experience in government a long shot, and also probably more controversial in his quote trail than Palin would be.
The last thing we need is too many conservatives (especially social conservatives—that means you, too, Huck) in splitting the primary vote. Our country I’m afraid might not survive the outcome of another McCain-type candidate as the only opposition to the Marxist.
I agree - I am not impressed by him as a leader and I lived in PA during several years of his senate tenure.
“Id take Santorum over Palin.”
I think the Dems would take ANYONE over Sarah Palin. They keep attacking her harshly because they know that she is the only one who can beat Obama. They saw it in her as soon as she was announced as McCain’s running mate.
We can’t believe the lies of the liberals. They will try to pick our candidate for us AGAIN! Well, this time they will fail!
We need two people whose veins are flowing with fiery testosterone and who won’t put up with the liberals garbage! Those two people are:
SARAH PALIN & MICHELE BACHMANN!!!!!!!!!!
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Obama Says A Baby Is A Punishment
Obama: If they make a mistake, I dont want them punished with a baby.
From what I know of the guy, I think of him as a good and honorable man.
However, I WILL be voting for Sarah Palin.
I have many requirements for my vote and support, especially for 2012.
I have one bottom line requirement that I am yet to be convinced that anyone will rise to..... Palin might.
I WANT a candidate that’s flat not going to screw around...
One that convinces me that he/she is going to go through DC like a crazy butcher with a meat clever. I want the corrupt hunted down like the rabid dogs they are, and quickly brought to justice.
These corrupt traitors are FAR more dangerous to our Republic than the terrorists will ever be... they need to be taken out of power and sent to prison, at the very least.
The conservative that convinces me that they are going to destroy the corruption within our political system will win my vote. Right now, I think Palin may very well do the job.
Pence was awesome at the rally Saturday. Best speech of the event.
“SARAH PALIN & MICHELE BACHMANN!!!!!!!!!!”
YES, YES, YES!!
Period.
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