Rick Santorum says he almost threw up

Listen to Dave Ross Commentary: Rick Santorum says he almost threw up

Candidate Rick Santorum told a group over the weekend that his gastric distress was in reaction to a speech he read.

“I had the opportunity to read the speech and I almost threw up.”

He was referring to this speech given in 1960 by then candidate John F. Kennedy.

“I believe in an America where the separation of church and state is absolute,” said Kennedy.

“You bet that makes you throw up. What kind of country do we live in that says only people of non-faith can come in the public square and make their case?” said Santorum.

Kennedy at the time was fighting suspicions that as the first Catholic president, he would have to take orders from the Pope:

“Whatever issue may come before me as president on birth control, divorce, or any other subject, I will make my decision in accordance with what my conscience tells me to be in the national interest and without regard to outside religions pressure or dictates,” said Kennedy.

Kennedy felt the Constitution was pretty clear on this. But half a century later we’re at the point where a politician is actually sickened the idea that religion should not be allowed to dictate a president’s policies.

— Half a century later we have politicians who worry aloud about the will of the voters putting them at odds with the teaching of their church.

Kennedy had a solution for that — for what do to if an elected leader finds himself religiously conflicted:

“If the time should ever come when my office would require me to either violate my conscience or violate the national interest, then I would resign the office,” said Kennedy.

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