In the ongoing Duggar Family horror show, I’ve been surprised by how few of the Duggars’ political allies have had anything to say about them either way. Mike Huckabee came out first to defend the family and Josh in particular, but Huckabee has his own horrific issues with his son and Huckabee is tied to the Duggars in a unique way: Josh Duggar molested his sisters when Huckabee was governor of Arkansas and Huckabee’s relationship with the Duggars has always been extremely cozy. But what about the Duggars’ other far-right allies? What about Rick Santorum, who benefited (?) from the Duggars’ endorsement during his presidential campaign in 2012? Well, Santorum got the question.
Santorum announced his new presidential bid yesterday, because I guess he really thinks he’s got a chance at being president. He does not. But he’ll be a great spoiler. After the announcement, Santorum gave his first big interview to Good Morning America’s George Stephanopoulos (you can see the video here). And George asked him the Duggar question. Santorum’s answer was very interesting.
The morning after his big reveal, Santorum appeared on Good Morning America, where he discussed his aspirations with ABC News vet George Stephanopoulos.
“I’m ready to do this again,” he said on Thursday, May 28. “It’s an exciting opportunity to come back home…I’ve been working on this really my entire political career.”
Stephanopoulos then brought up Santorum’s previous run for president, during which he had the support of the Duggar family, who’ve dominated headlines for the last week because of a molestation scandal involving eldest son Josh Duggar, 27.
“I’m sickened by it,” Santorum said when asked for his thoughts on the controversy surrounding the 19 Kids and Counting star. “I’m just sickened by it. I pray for those girls, in particular. To have gone through that is just hard to think about.”
Well, at least someone prominent has made a public statement and specifically noted the trauma of what happened to Josh Duggar’s actual victims. I hesitate to say that Santorum is really throwing the Duggars under the bus though. Yes, “sickened” is a powerful word to use against a closely allied family, but he stops short of saying anything meaningful about what should come next, if he still offers any kind of support for the Duggars, etc.
Next up: we should definitely hear some words from Scott Walker, Ted Cruz and every other far-right Republican who has ever tried to play up their evangelical street cred by standing next to a Duggar.
Photos courtesy of Josh Duggar’s social media.
A safe answer. At least he acknowledged the victims, which is more than I can say for their own parents.
Right. But it’s hard not to feel like his “concern” about the victims is in any way sincere.
Oh I highly doubt it’s sincere. But at least he expressed concern for the victims in a public forum. It could help to convince all these loonies sharing “Why Josh Duggar Shouldn’t be Punished for Mistakes He Made as a Child” articles on Facebook to see some sense. But then again, that might be a lost cause.
I was shocked by the mike huckabe response, thought for sure he’d try to back pedal his way out. Because I’ve never given his special brand of politics any credit (Santorum and cucinelli included) I didn’t know that much about his past. Quick google search and bam- dog torture, crazy articles, blatant racism, alleged corruption, and Christmas pictures of the family and His family is um, well…..I guess it kind of makes sense. And his sons creepy history of torturing animals. (yes, there were multiple instances) —that boy ain’t right.
The response of the court and the local police is reprehensible.
Exactly. Mention victims. Mention you’re opposed to the horrible crime. Move on. Asked and answered in a way that to ask a follow-up would be caught by advisors flanking the camera angles.
And with that answer he’s appeasing the Duggars more than taking a stand against their actions and lack of actions. It’ll be interesting watching this come up in future interviews or random press pools.
“Well, at least someone prominent has made a public statement and specifically noted the trauma of what happened to Josh Duggar’s actual victims”
Bingo. Josh Duggar has been ELEVATED to hero status for “confessing” and asking people to pray for him (not the victims). His wife PRAISED him for telling her about his actions (read: criminal past) before they married, saying she “didn’t know why” he did so, except that’s the great kind of guy he is. This is all seen as a case of “boys will be boys” – plus don’t forget that Christian lesson on molestatio, which pointed out that victimized women should think about what they did wrong to deserve their abuse. I so sick of seeing this pervert’s smug face everywhere, smiling because he has been Forgiven for his little youthful indiscretion.
FINALLY sensible people can see how deeply sick the Duggars really are. But their supporters are still legion.
Nailed it shambles.
“Sickened” is a strong word to use but I’m afraid I’m not really buying it. I’d guess he and/or his handlers have been watching this closely and he’s only saying what he thinks people want to hear at this point.
Yup. Spoken like a presidential candidate.
Still, if I had to listen to one more religious conservative “pray for the Duggar family” I’d probably vom so this is….ok.
I agree. Anyone who is sane would say they were sickened by this. He is who he is. A zebra doesn’t change their strips.
Yes, it was a smart political statement made by a weenie. I can’t stand him.
not this assh*le again
http://www.spreadingsantorum.com/
This is all we need to do for Santorum, keep taking this badboy to the top of his search results
I heard that Savage wants to do the same thing he did to Santorum with Duggar. I shudder to think what a ‘Duggar’ would be.
this whole story literally makes me nauseous every time I read more about it. That show needs to be canceled, the girls need to get away from that crazy family & get some therapy, & he needs to be actually punished for his actions
Yes. I’d add that this entire family needs to fade into obscurity as soon as possible.
A politician is always going to be a politician so… that’s a pretty good statement and focused on the right people (the victims) in this situation.
Word. I understand people’s hesitation to believe him or accept that this was actually a pretty good statement but the man is above all a politician. What else was he supposed to say? He played it safe, focused on the right people, and didn’t hand anyone ammunition. I find him despicable for several reasons but this is one of his brighter moments.
+1 to you both.
I agree.
I have to agree. He’s awful in general, but at least he mentioned concern for the victims, which is more than can be said for many of their supporters and the parents themselves.
I’m confused about why folks would question if he is genuinely disgusted by child molestation ….because he’s ….politically conservative? Maybe I don’t know enough about Santorum. …
Add me to the confused group. Until someone acts to the contrary (like the duggers and the mother from honey boo boo) I tend to assume everyone is opposed to and indeed is disgusted by child rape.
Well sort of…just because so many religious cons politicians cater to the evangelical crowd, who still largely support the Duggars.
It’s good that he said the right thing though. No doubt.
I am sure he is sickened by child molestation.I am also sure he would be more outraged if the perpetrator was a liberal democrat.Then he would be talking about the perpetrator and his parents lacking” family values”.Because Conservative Republicans= traditional family values.
I basically said the same thing to supporters on the Josh&Anna fb page-if this was a case of a non-white, non-Christian molesting children, would you be so “forgiving”? Or would you be calling for blood? So while I give credit to Santorum for being on the morally right side of this issue, I also wonder if the how much harsher he’d be if the young man in question was say, Muslim or Black. Want to bet he’d use it to rail against Islamic extremists or social welfare programs?
BINGO. This is why I take his statement with a big grain of salt.
EXACTLY.
This isn’t anyone’s first rodeo.
If this crime was just a tiny bit less detestable they’d be singing Josh Duggar’s praises from the top of their lungs. But as has been discussed before there are no ‘misunderstandings’ in child molestation. It’s just 100% bad.
So now men are grudgingly having to admit it…that another religious down home good ol’boy love God, the South, and my Momma religious fanatic from a well-off family is a hypocritical monster. Rings too close to home.
If this had been a Democrat or Muslim? OMG they’d have blown the doors off the place in joy. Now they’ve got to admit the truth through grit teeth.
Dan Savage – the same rights activist who forever changed the definition of “Santorum” – is now suggesting that everyone do the same with “Duggar.” Bit of a debate about whether or not that’s fair to the daughters/victims who still share that name.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/05/27/dan-savage-duggar-santorum_n_7456736.html
I’m sorry but that’s a horrible idea. I like Savage and you could argue that Rick S. is also not the only one living with that name and association but this is different. No, Dan. No.
I loathe Rick Santorum, but I’m glad to see at least one Republican wingnut refrain from supporting Josh Duggar in favor of pointing out that this conduct victimized children and that they are probably hurting. He’s right, it is hard to think about, and Mike Huckabee is obviously too cowardly to do so.
You know who I loathe.
I loathe Ted Cruz.
To the point every time I hear that gawd awful squeaky voice… I have to change the channel. Even the GOP of Texas, is tired of his ass.
And that is short of a miracle… for the Texas GOP politics to dump one of their own.
Ted Cruz has not shut up, in the last three years. He is going to be president y’all! *cough*notAsnowballChanceInHell*cough*
It is on and on about his great Christian values. I have waited patiently, for the mistress scandal to pop up. Because we all know there is one. There always is always a mistress with the ultra preachy set of GOP politicians.
I am just hoping that he p*sses his off…. during his campaign run. And she or he…. (ya!) tells all to MSNBC during prime time.
Not surprised by the lack of vocal condemnation from the party most in support of the Duggars, glad for it. I personally prefer to see their disgusting nature front and center and it just reinforces their true attitude toward women. With a shrinking base you have to hold tight to your core – that includes the child molesters, those that hid it, and the religious wing-nuts who defend them.
THIS though.
This is accurate. When there’s any context in which Santorum is a voice of reason, you know there’s a substantial institutional problem.
I think Santorum might be too marginal/outsider and dumb/uncalculating a candidate to get the memo that it’s good for the GOP to give these monsters (meaning the predator, the people who covered up his crimes, and the people who defend the Duggars) a pass. This story should be all about outing and punishing the predator and helping to prevent future victims while appreciating the enormity of what the existing victims suffered. Instead it’s basically “why the heck aren’t we as a society uniformly condemning the monsters.” Saddening.
This seems like a pretty reasonable comment to me. Maybe there is back story with Santorum (giving reason to doubt his statement) that I’m unaware of, but I don’t see any reason to doubt that he would find child molestation sickening. As well, it’s good to see someone highlighting the victims and not making excuses for Josh Duggar.
Huckabee has really dug his heels in because of his own ties to Arkansas. If he has to go back there — too many people think the same way as the Duggars, clearly.
This is not true. I’m originally from Arkansas, and very few people think that way. Huckabee just happens to be one of the few.
“Sickened” is the only appropriate response. The fact that RICK SANTORUM is the one saying it makes my head spin. Every single one of them should be embarrassed to be defending Josh Duggar when they should be decrying his crimes.
Screw the Duggars. Screw the religious fanatics supporting them. And screw Rick Santorum for making me agree with him.
Is it just me or in every photo does josh dugger look like a big fake..? I’ve always thought this even before his sexual crimes where revealed. He has always looked like he was riding on his parent’s or the show’s coat tails and he is just a fat, lazy fake. Yes I realise adding his appearance ( weight) into my critique sounds shallow but honestly it’s what I’ve always thought when viewing his social media pics.
He is not going to age well — at all.
His nickname was smugg
Santorum is a loathsome worm, but I do appreciate having a right wing nut job actually say the right thing.
Sad as it is to say, I think this kind of statement is what is needed in order to legitimize the feelings of disgust of other right wingers. I feel like many of them support the Duggars because they toe the crazy right wing party line.
If Santorum and others like him can encourage more people to express disgust with he Duggars rather than support, all the better.
Where is mama bear at? She need to give us some gotcha sentences. I would love to hear what George bush would have to say about this, I thinking it would be some good stuff against the duggars. What I liked about bush was he’s religious but was never a right winger IMO. He was more about helping his buddies get richer. And he does have two daughters, Megan McCanie, and where is that Ann chick that always writes books about how liberals are so stupid, would like to hear what she has to say…
Please, I don’t want to hear what Ann Coulter has to say. She would blame the liberal media for exposing it, and turn Josh and Ma & Pa Duggar into martyr’s for having to “defend their Christian faith” against all the hateful liberals.
Though I’m not socially conservative or religious, I actually think the stuff George w bush did to get his buddies richer victimized and harmed way more people than a gay marriage and abortion ban would. He made a lot of bad things happen:(
Exactly the right comment.
The parents are focused on each other right now and their faith, no room for focusing on the daughters.
Correct answer Rick! You win “My thoughts on Duggar’s as I try to not offend the far right” for $100
I can’t believe Santorum has the audacity to try to run for president (and that there are nutcases around there that vote for him). His religious bs ideas aside, he has flat out lied and concocted his own ”facts”, like when he claimed that 10% of all deaths in the Netherlands were by euthanasia, and that half of those were involuntarily. http://www.forbes.com/sites/timworstall/2012/02/26/but-rick-santorums-sorta-right-about-dutch-euthanasia/
If that was his entire answer, as much as I can’t stand him, I will give him credit where it’s due.
You’re 100% right about the ‘if that’s the whole answer’ part.
He’s playing the game a little smarter this go round. Same thing with his comments about Bruce Jenner, the initial comment sounded empathetic and gentle and then he clarified it to be even more insulting. So I’m just waiting to see how he clarifies this one.
“Duggar Family horror show” – that sounds like it could be a season of American Horror Story: Christian Fundamentalism.
I was reading comments on Josh and Anna’s Instagrams and most of the comments were sympathetic and along the lines of “praying for you.” And God will forgive Josh. This is one of the reasons I stopped going to church a long time ago.
I actually think Santorum is sincere and it’s not a political answer at all. Look, Santorum has scary ass beliefs . I wouldn’t vote for the man if you put a gun to my head. But one thing I noticed about him from following the 2012 election is he’s authentic. He isn’t bullshitting with those scary ass beliefs. lol So yeah I guess – good for you Santorum? Huckabee is more politically calculating. I think Santorum was just expressing what most people felt – disgust and sadness for the girls. To be honest I was surprised the Duggars supported Santorum given that he’s a Catholic.
Liberty on the Duggars: “I;m just hoping the karma mothership is circling the planet looking for a landing pad near you.”
Two scary creeps!
Finally…it’s about TIME…
Those poor girls!
I’m from Wisconsin and have to deal with D-Bag Walker. He’ll ignore the question because that’s what he does when he doesn’t want to answer something.
It’s quite possible to be a political extremist but also very much against child molesting. I doubt that many conservatives think it’s dandy, either. I don’t even think the Duggers think it’s wonderful. They may not have a clue about how to handle it, then or now, but that doesn’t mean they think it’s right.
Really, folks, on CB it seems Santorum is damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t. Nothing he says will satisfy some folks here because they don’t like him. What he said was very appropriate and quite sufficient. Doesn’t make him any more sane in other areas, but people are complicated and can’t be clearly labeled like cans of soup.