Rick Santorum attracts audience of one to anti-gay campaign speech
Only one person showed up to a campaign event organised by Presidential wannabe Rick Santorum – where he warned about same-sex marriage.
The anti-gay Republican announced his plans to run for the White House again last month, after failing to secure his party’s nomination in 2012.
The former Senator, who has claimed that equal marriage would “destroy the institutions of America’s foundation”, turned up today to a campaign event in Iowa expecting a large crowd.
However, according to the The Des Moines Register, just one person showed up for the event in Hamlin – Audubon County Republican Party Chair Peggy Toft.
The politician decided to order lunch instead, and lectured Ms Toft, and three others in the restaurant, on the danger of same-sex marriage.
Santorum claimed that equality is a threat to family and religious liberty, telling his ‘audience’: “This is where the left is saying: ‘Here is what your belief system should be, and anyone who does not toe the line, you’re a hater, you’re a bigot, you’re intolerant and you will not be tolerated’.”
He sought to downplay the poor turnout, telling the newspaper: “People don’t understand. One guy in there said, ‘I’ll speak for you at the caucus’.
“That’s maybe eight votes that you wouldn’t otherwise get. Eight votes can make a big difference, as I know.”
Back in 2012 he claimed that equal marriage would destroy churches, families and “disintegrate” marriage. He said at the time that legalising same-sex marriage would “destroy the institutions of America’s foundation… and destroy the American family.”
Last year, as well as claiming that same-sex marriage damaged the economy by destroying families, Mr Santorum also claimed that homosexuality was a choice, stating, “I think anybody’s behaviour is a choice. Behaviour is a choice.”
In April – in case it needed clarifying – he confirmed that he would not attend the same-sex wedding of a family member or loved one, saying, “As a person of my faith, that would be something that would be a violation of my faith.
“I would love them and support them but I would not participate in that ceremony.”
And it is not just gay people Mr Santorum has an issue with – just last month he spoke out against Bruce Jenner’s televised interview regarding his transition.
