Santorum speaks at the Freedom Summit. (AP/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Rick Santorum, a former US Senator who may announce his presidential candidacy soon, emphasized that radical Islam is threatening America.
“Russia, China and yes, radical Islam, is threatening our country,” the former Pennsylvania senator said. “Heck, I would just be happy if our president would be able to tell the difference between our friends and enemies.
“Let me give our president a primer: Iran, enemy. Israel, friend.”
Republicans presidential hopefuls aimed to out-do each other Saturday in making their pitches to a conservative audience in a key early voting primary state.
All of the speakers mentioned President Barack Obama’s failures — from his 2010 health care overhaul to allegations of missteps on foreign policy to the rise in the national debt during his time in office.
Florida Sen. Marco Rubio took a hard-line on foreign policy, saying the U.S. must get tougher with terrorists.
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker touted his ability to beat whoever is nominated by the Democratic Party, reminding activists that he won three statewide elections in four years in a Midwestern state twice carried by Obama.
“The last time a Republican carried the state for president was 1984,” he said. “That’s a tough state.”
Carly Fiorina, the former Hewlett-Packard CEO, continued her tactic of going straight at Hillary Rodham Clinton, the Democratic favorite for 2016. “She is not trustworthy, and she does not have a record of accomplishment,” Fiorina said.
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal spent considerable time touting his credentials as a social conservative, including his push back against criticism from some in the business community over religious liberty laws that have become a flashpoint in the national debate over same-sex marriage.
“Don’t even waste your breath trying to bully the governor of Louisiana,” Jindal said, repeating what he said was his message to corporate leaders.
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz trumpeted his unapologetic approach on Capitol Hill. And he told activists that they should compare his style with his rivals, all of whom insist they are conservative.
“Have you had anyone up here today say, ‘I’m an establishment moderate who stands for nothing?'” he said. “So how do you tell the difference? The scriptures tell us, ‘You shall know them by their fruits.” That means, he said, asking candidates, “You say you believe these principles. When have you fought for them?”
Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry let loose a series of broadsides at Obama and his policies, drawing cheers from the crowd for a withering critique that covered immigration, health care reform, the Islamic State militant group and the federal budget.
His bottom line: “We’ve seen gross incompetence. We’re here to declare that we’re not going to take it anymore,” Perry said.
Ben Carson, the retired neurosurgeon who, like Fiorina, announced his candidacy earlier this week, is running as the outsider. “I’m not a politician,” he said. “That’s what sets me apart.”
Citizens United President David Bossie, whose group hosted the gathering on Saturday, said that along with criticizing Obama, Republicans should focus their ire on the favorite for the Democratic nomination, former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.
By: Bill Barrow and Mitch Weiss, AP and United with Israel Staff.
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