Rick Santorum goes after Gov. Rick Perry

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Rick Santorum goes after Gov. Rick Perry

The State Column | Staff | Saturday, July 23, 2011

Former Pennsylvania U.S. Senator Rick Santorum slammed Texas governor Rick Perry on Saturday, questioning whether the potential Republican presidential candidate supports conservative values.
Mr. Perry, who said Friday that he supports a recently passed measure in New York allowing gay marriage, said states should exercise their right in the debate over gay marriage.
“Our friends in New York six weeks ago passed a statute that said marriage can be between two people of the same sex. And you know what? That’s New York, and that’s their business, and that’s fine with me,” Mr. Perry said.
“That is their call. If you believe in the 10th Amendment, stay out of their business,” the Texas Republican added.
Tweeting Friday night, Mr. Santorum questioned the claim, tweeting: “So Gov Perry, if a state wanted to allow polygamy or if they chose to deny heterosexuals the right to marry, would that be OK too?”
Mr. Perry was speaking Friday at a forum held by the Aspen Institute as the Republican Governors Association held a fundraiser and convention in Aspen.
The comment comes as Mr. Perry continues to debate whether to enter the 2012 race for the Republican nomination. Mr. Perry has said he will announce his future plans by the end of the summer as many expect the Texas Republican to pursue the nomination.
A CNN poll released Friday shows Mr. Perry nearly tied with former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, the presumed front-runner.
“I’m asking the right questions,” Mr. Perry said in response to questions as to whether he will run. “I’m basically asking people, ‘Do you think there’s room in this presidential election for a full-throated, unapologetic fiscal conservative? And if you do think there’s room, are you going to help?’”
Meanwhile, Mr. Santorum continues to lag in the polls and in fundraising. The Pennsylvania Republican reported a lackluster $550,000 in fundraiser for the second quarter of 2011, the lowest amount raised by the pack of Republican candidates. Mr. Santorum has been vocal on the campaign trail in Iowa about his staunch opposition to gay marriage and civil unions, setting his sights on solidifying support amongst the party’s more conservative base.