You're citing one item out of a list of problem statements that has been posted on a number of places on Free Republic, and seems to be coming from a list posted on Ron Paul's website, which has posted a video of Arlen Specter's 1995 speech here: http://www.ronpaul2012.com/2012/03/02/santorum-with-specter-in-1996-to-protect-a-womans-right-to-choose/
I listened to all of Specter's speech — nearly a half-hour of it. His speech outlined a platform focused on a flat tax, his role as a Philadelphia prosecutor in reducing violent crime and an emphasis on no plea bargains for career criminals, an aggressive military posture, forcing North Korea to allow nuclear weapons inspections, fighting terrorism, moving the US embassy to Jerusalem, cutting federal expenses, and paying off the national debt. He focused on the value of education, noting that his father had no formal education and his mother had to drop out of school after eighth grade.
I think many of us would say those are good things.
Unfortunately, Specter also cited Goldwater's belief that the government should stay out of people's bedrooms and opposed what he called a “radical social agenda” of opposition to abortion and promotion of school prayer. He opposed Pat Robertson, Pat Buchanan, and Ralph Reed, citing them by name: “We do not need holy wars; what we need is tolerance, brotherhood, and simple humanity.” He said “I and millions of other pro-choice Republicans will not be disenfranchised and made second-class citizens,” but also emphasized the value of people “with deep religious and moral convictions” while opposing “bringing God into politics.”
Specter quoted Jack Kemp saying “when it comes to moral values, we should seek to persuade rather than impose,” and said moral issues such as abortion should be left to the conscience of the individual.
Quoting Specter again: “Let me say it as plainly as I can: Neither this nation nor this party can afford a candidate so captive to the demands of the intolerant right that we end up re-electing a president of the incompetent left.”
It seems obvious that Arlen Specter's views are a major problem.
It also seems to me that most of us already knew that Santorum has a history of defending Specter. I don't like that.
Now if someone can show me that Santorum actually agrees with some of these horrible views advocated by Specter nearly two decades ago, I'll be a lot more concerned. This list of views attacking a Christian role in politics sounds much more like what is being said by some supporters of other candidates here on Free Republic, not like something Santorum believes today.
What follows is from Ron Paul's website, hut as far as I can tell it's accurately quoting Specter's speech:
_____
Here are a few key takeaways from the 25 minute C-SPAN video, with Santorum seen nodding and applauding at Specter’s side:
3:46 mark: “In 1996, I intend to win the other house — the White House — with ten commitments to America… including a woman’s right to choose…
13:22 mark: “Even though we have this historic opportunity for these achievements, there are those in our party who would lead us down a different path — and squander this unique moment in our nation’s history — by using our political capital — to pursue a radical social agenda — that would end a woman’s right to choose…
13:48 mark: “When Pat Robertson says there is no constitutional doctrine of separation between Church and State, I say he is wrong…
14:31 mark: “When Ralph Reed says a pro-choice Republican isn’t qualified to be our President, I say the Republican Party will not be intimidated or blackmailed by those kinds of threats.I, and millions of other pro-choice Republicans, will not be disenfranchised and made second class citizens.
15:33 mark: “… it is not Christian, or religious, or Judeo-Christian to bring God into politics; or to advocate intolerance and promote exclusion.
15:54 mark: “I want to take abortion out of politics. I want to keep the Republican Party focused on the vital economic and foreign policy issues — and leave moral issues such as abortion to the conscience of the individual. I believe abortion is an issue to be decided by women…
16:40 mark: “I pledge to lead the fight to strip the strident anti-choice language from the Republican National platform…”
_________
12 posted on Wednesday, March 07, 2012 1:31:22 AM by ansel12 (Santorum-Catholic and “I was basically pro-choice all my life, until I ran for Congress” he said))
Would you endorse a Presidential candidate, running on this platform?
Santorum did.
“I pledge to lead the fight to strip the strident anti-choice language from the Republican National platform…”
LOL, you mean other than trying to raise up Specter from obscurity to make Specter President and endorsing his campaign platform of, “I pledge to lead the fight to strip the strident anti-choice language from the Republican National platform…” 15 years ago?
Supporting Whitman in 1997, continuing to support Specter even into 2004, and Santorum being run out of office largely for that dedicated, never ending support?
Then Santorum going from Specter to Romney which was the closes thing to specter available last election?