Rick Santorum doesn’t believe the Supreme Court should have the “final word” in the gay marriage debate should the justices decide to legalize same-sex unions nationwide in coming weeks.
During an interview on NBC’s Meet the Press Sunday, the former Pennsylvania senator and GOP presidential candidate alleged that, should he be elected president in 2016, he would not accept an affirmative ruling on the constitutionality of gay marriage.
“I think it’s important to understand that the Supreme Court doesn’t have the final word,” Santorum told NBC anchor Chuck Todd. “It has its word, its word has validity, but it’s important for Congress and the president, frankly, to push back when the Supreme Court gets it wrong.”
In June, the Supreme Court justices will listen to oral arguments on a case that could ultimately lead to a historic decision on the issue of same-sex marriage. Should the justices decide on legalization, Santorum will be prepared for a “fight.”
“Of course I’d fight it,” the presidential candidate said, citing his continuous pushback on the ruling regarding abortion in Roe v. Wade to illustrate his persistence in tackling decisions that he deems “wrong.”
“If the court decides this case in error, I will to fight as we have on the issue of life,” explained Santorum. “That’s the role of a citizenry. We’re not bound by what nine people say in perpetuity. We have an obligation and a right in a free society to push back.”
However, Santorum stopped short of recommending that states ignore the law should the Supreme Court rule in favor of same-sex marriage, as competing GOP candidate Mike Huckabee has suggested.
