Santorum Calls Obama a 'Sore Winner;' Says White House Won't Push Immigration Reform
Former Pennsylvania Senator and 2012 GOP presidential contender Rick Santorum said Sunday that President Obama is a "sore winner" based on how he is handling many key issues and that in the end, he doesn't want immigration reform to pass because it might help the GOP.
"That's the problem with this administration. They don't – they're not very gracious winners. And I always said, you know, there's one thing worse than a sore loser, and that's a sore winner. And the president's a sore winner," Santorum told ABC's George Stephanopoulos on "This Week." "He could get something done on deficits and entitlements, but he's got to move his people to do that, instead of forcing Republicans always to come his way. And that's the problem."
Santorum's statements highlight a growing concern among Republican leaders that the president could bring Democrats to vote for some type of compromise budget, but doing so would most likely require the president himself to twist arms for some to vote to decrease or cut entitlement spending.
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The former Republican senator also hit Obama on immigration and gun control by questioning his true desire to pass a comprehensive immigration reform package and an apparent unwillingness to go after the entertainment industry on violent video games.
"I think the Republicans are ready to do something on immigration," said Santorum.
"They're not willing to give the president everything he wants, because I think they believe the rule of law still matters in this country and that – and that we have to respect those who did it the right way, who waited in line, and did – and made sacrifices, and that they shouldn't be treated the same as people who broke the law and came here," he said.
However, Santorum said Obama doesn't want to compromise on immigration reform, fearing it might in the end help the GOP.
"There's not a single Republican up on Capitol Hill who believes he wants to get it done. They all believe ... he will put a measure that the Republicans can't accept and then blame Republicans and then continue to drive a wedge between Republicans and Hispanics."
On gun control, Santorum advised Republicans to "stick to our guns" and Congress should never pass legislation making it harder for citizens to defend themselves.
"Fifty years ago, you could go on a catalog and buy a gun," he said. "There were no restrictions on gun ownership. There were no restrictions on magazines. There were no restrictions on anything. And we had a lot less violence in society than we do today."
Santorum, who some believe is already preparing to run for president in 2016, butted heads with former Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm on Obama's desire to ban assault weapons.
"Deer don't wear armor. Why do you need an armor-piercing bullet?" Granholm said.
"But criminals could … having the ability to defend yourself is something that is a right in our country," Santorum responded.
