Rick Santorum invokes Obama's race on abortion
Potential Republican presidential contender Rick Santorum has once again demonstrated his willingness to push the envelope. In an interview with the conservative CNS News, he linked President Obama's race to his position on abortion.
"The question is, and this is what Barack Obama didn't want to answer -- is that human life a person under the Constitution and Barack Obama says no," Santorum said. "Well if that human life is not a person then I find it almost remarkable for a black man to say 'now we are going to decide who are people and who are not people.'"
Santorum expanded on his comment in a statement Thursday. "For decades certain human beings were wrongly treated as property and denied liberty in America because they were not considered persons under the constitution," he said.
"Today other human beings, the unborn of all races, are also wrongly treated as property and denied the right to life for the same reason; because they are not considered persons under the constitution. I am disappointed that President Obama, who rightfully fights for civil rights, refuses to recognize the civil rights of the unborn in this country."
Garance Franke-Ruta points out that the comparison between abortion and slavery is fairly common in the contemporary anti-abortion movement.
Well known for his anti-abortion advocacy and his provocative public comments, Santorum has been banking on Iowa social conservatives to give him a boost in the 2012 primary, but he has competition. Sarah Palin, also expected to appeal to social conservatives, has reportedly sent out aides to gauge her support among grassroots activists in Iowa. And outspoken Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) is meeting with high-level Republicans in Des Moines Friday.
Nationally, a Post poll out Thursday shows Santorum has his work cut out for him. Only one percent of Republican-leaning respondents would vote for Santorum in the primary.
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