Conservative GOP Presidential Candidate Rick Santorum ‘Taken Aback’ By ‘The Marriage Vow’

No one wants to see ugly media spectacles of infidelity conducted by those in political office. But a new pledge in regards to personal marital fidelity of candidates even took social conservative 2012 Republican candidate Rick Santorum by surprise. Santorum discusses his reaction to the Family Leader "Marriage Vow" with CNN "State of the Union" moderator Candy Crowley :

Santorum has been campaigning on a two-pronged policy attack. One side calling for far-reaching entitlement reform, the other affirming himself as what many already consider to be the strongest social conservative among 2012 presidential candidates.  In CNN's interview Santorum acknowledges that he would only appoint conservative judges and remove anti-marriage provisions in the tax code. Santorum did not agree that The Family Leader's pledge was overly intrusive, but did admit it at first took him aback.

"When I first read it I was taken aback by it. I can't argue that I wasn't. But I understand why they're saying it, because it does undermine people's respect for the institution, respect for the people governing this country," said the former Pennsylvania Senator. "If you can't be faithful to the people that you're closest to, then how can we count on you to be faithful to those of us who you represent."

So far the pledge has received mixed reactions from 2012 Republican candidates, as Michele Bachmann also decided to sign the vow while fellow candidate former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson said the pledge gives Republicans a bad name.

In addition to personal fidelity to his/her spouse the vow calls on candidates to also pledge; vigorous opposition to any redefinition of the institution of marriage, rejection of Sharia Islam, commitment to downsizing government and the enormous burden upon American families of the USA's $14.3 trillion public debt, fierce defense of the first amendment's rights of religious liberty and freedom of speech, among other pro-family commitments.

The Family Leader is an Iowa-based organization that "provides a consistent, courageous voice in the churches, in the legislature, in the media, in the courtroom, in the public square…always standing for God’s truth." The organization recently apologized and removed a controversial opening statement on the first page of the document, not on the candidates vow, that compared the state of the black family during slavery to today.

Santorum spoke at The Family Leader lecture series this past May.