The College Convention 2012 at New England College in Concord, New Hampshire provided a true test of Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum’s religous views regarding gay marriage Thursday.
The former Pennsylvania senator was one of four Republican candidates to attend the convention, as Newt Gingrich, Jon Huntsman and Buddy Roemer also attended the event.
New England College has played host to the College Convention since the year 2000.
Mr. Santorum countered questions about his views on gay marriage by comparing it to polygamy several times, while not actually defending his views regarding gay marriage. He became engaged in several back and forth exchanges with one particular female student, who continued to demand that he define why he opposes same sex marriage.
“Well what about three men? If reason says that if you think it’s OK for two, then you have to differentiate with me as to why it’s not OK for three.”
Finally, Mr. Santorum attempted to explain his views and beliefs regarding gay marriage.
“I believe we’re made that way. God made men and woman to keep civilization and provide the best environment to raise children,” said Mr. Santorum. “I have no problem if people want to have relationships, but marriage provides a good to society. It’s unique because it is the union that causes children to be raised.”
Mr. Santorum’s rival candidates have had several run ins with gay issues, or gay voters asking them about their views regarding same sex marriage.
Minnesota congresswoman Michele Bachmann was told by an eight year old child at a book signing that his gay mother “doesn’t need fixing.”
During a December campaign event in Iowa, Mr. Gingrich told a gay voter to “support Obama,” after listening to the man’s view about marriage.
In August, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney signed a pledge promising to support a constitutional amendment to define marriage as being between a man and a woman.
Texas Governor Rick Perry received criticism from gay voters at events in Iowa, after releasing an ad advocating for the military to bring back their “Don’t ask, don’t tell,” policy.
According to a Rasmussen poll released Wednesday, Mr. Santorum is surging in popularity nationally, his views on gay marriage should not hurt his surge at all, since the majority of his opponents have the same views.
