White House & RNC Issue Gag Order on Santorum Issue

Harrisburg News and the Hotline ^ | April 24, 2003 | Chuck Todd and Vaughn Ververs

[ewing]

The Harrisburg Patriot News Decoursey reports that Senator Rick Santorums (R-PA) defenders are now under gag order.

White House and Republican National Committee officials told GOP insiders yesterday by conference call, voice mail and e-mail not to comment about Santorum's comments letting them speak for himself.

[Jhoffa_]

I would agree with that.

Like you say though, it's more of a statement about their issues than their tactics.

The issues they choose (like the anti-war stance) alienate Americans at large.

It's like polishing a turd. Best tactics in the world aren't going to merit them much with 'issues' like that.

[johnb838]

Me think me smell the smell of troll, mon...

[VRWC_minion]

Nothing. The laws for the most part are off the books.

So what is the problem ? Can't you let the legislative process take its course ?

The real question: is there a government interest in a person's non-coercive sexual practices.

No, The real question is which government and which body within that gov't has the right to define what is the government interest and what is not.

non-coercive sexual practices

Surely your not sugesting that all non-coercive sexual practices should be beyond the reach of any restrictions are you ?

Thus the right to privacy.

Precisely the issue. Is there such a thing as the right to privacy that trumps all states interest. Some scholars believe as Santorum pointed out, that such a right will begin the slippery slope to making incest among other things lawful.

Not just by law. But now by custom. Thus becoming a judicial issue.

The question I had for you was if the majority of people believe as you say, why force the courts to do mental gymnastics to accomplish this goal and why not be satisfied that the legislators will accomplish it. It seems to me your premise that everybody doesn't want these laws is flawed or you don't get the issue of the slipper slope or the issue of states rights.

It is now conservative to be against laws regulating sexual behavior.

Who says ?

Santorum is the radical.

He is a radical but you have no idea what the word really means. radical (ME. < LL. radicalis < L. radix, a ROOT). -adj. (1a) of or from the roots; going to the foundation or source of something [as in a radical principle].

[VRWC_minion]

I know, but they scored big with Lott.

They scored zilch. They made the GOP remove an ineffective leader who was politically damaged with his own base even before he stepped his foot in it. They had more to gain by keeping him as a whipping boy.

[Cedric]

Come back, msimon! No need to skeedaddle just because you're getting pummeled mercilessly!

[VRWC_minion]

The libertarian wing is gaining ground

I get it now. If gays can have sex in the privacy of their own home libertarians can smoke joints in the same home.

[cynicom]

Bush salvoed Lott with direct action, this time he will say nothing and let Santorum hang by himself. Some team player.

[Jhoffa_]

Well, I don't agree.

They scored because he wasn't going anywhere prior to their whine-in.

I don't like Lott, but the perception is that they whined and we chucked him overboard because of it.

[mabelkitty]

Did you all hear Jerry Nadler was on Hannity and Combs and called Catholics bigots last night?

He accused the Church of "discriminating" against homosexuals? Like there is such a thing?

Wonder why this isn't getting played.

He should be forced to resign for discrimination against the Catholic Church. He didn't uphold the First Amendment.

[mabelkitty]

Big government and gun control are oh so Libertarian?

When did I miss that memo?

[Renatus]

Not government subpoena, but to church subpoena, yes.

Then those priests who are now in jail could have stated their "privacy rights" and be free today. Is that what you are saying?

[Jhoffa_]

There is a shift going on in the R. Party. The libertarian wing is gaining ground.

You couldn't be more wrong.

Witness the WOD, AWB renewal, CFR, the Patriot Act, etc..

No way, if anyone is making headway it's the globalists, the fiscal conservatives and the "NEO-CONS" (whatever the hell they are, exactly.. )

[Jhoffa_]

The Catholics (and other Christians) aren't discriminating against anyone.

God did that, they are just repeating it.

[k2blader]

Yeah, I'm hopeful msimon can learn to post something more credible than "Santorum doesn't believe in the 'right to privacy'" and "Libertarians are taking over."

[sinkspur]

Then those priests who are now in jail could have stated their "privacy rights" and be free today. Is that what you are saying?

The priests in jail today had sex with minors. A minor cannot, by definition, consent.

So, no, they should not be free.

[mabelkitty]

I know.

But Nadler slandered the Catholic Church on their beliefs.

A Church Santorum belongs to.

This is hugh and series!

[Jorge]

Karl Rove understands that when somebody's digging a hole, let him use his own shovel.

I think you're right.
When it comes to statements that lend themselves to such contentious political interpretation, it's best to let them speak for themselves.
Wise move by the White House.

[GretchenEE]

Karl Rove understands that when somebody's digging a hole, let him use his own shovel.

Yup. And the pubbies are also saying, IMO, There's no need for Santorum to apologize. Let the outrage die its own death by starvation.

[VRWC_minion]

Big government and gun control are oh so Libertarian?

Neither need the right to privacy. Smoking dope does.

[Jorge]

For one thing, the press started the "scandal" with a fabricated quote, fabricated by the spouse of a Kerry staffer disguised as an AP reporter. Eventually the republicans will start using tis line.

Even though the term (gay) was inserted in parenthesis, when read in context, it was obvious Santorum was refering to consensual gay sex...since this is what the case was about.