What Did Rick Santorum Say? Welfare Comments Scrutinized
EmailRick Santorum either stumbled on his words or singled out African-Americans when deriding welfare Sunday.
The former Pennsylvania senator is under fire after several news reports quoted him as saying, ”I don’t want to make black people’s lives better by giving them somebody else’s money. I want to give them the opportunity to go out and earn the money and provide for themselves and their families.”
Santorum was addressing entitlements at a town hall in Iowa, as he does at almost every campaign event, but it’s unclear whether the GOP candidate actually said “black” people or simply stumbled on his words.
When asked for an explanation by Fox News’ Sean Hannity, Santorum neither confirmed nor denied his wording, only saying that he doesn’t recall.
“I haven’t heard the context of the question,” he explained. “I haven’t heard it. All I can say is that I don’t single out any one group of people. That’s one thing I don’t do. I don’t divide people by group or race or class.
“I condemn all forms of racism,” he added.
His comments were in response to a question asking him about foreign influence and how the country can get off “this crazy train.”
The number of Medicaid recipients has surged in recent years because of high unemployment and a weak economy, but the majority of recipients are white. Nationally, 43 percent of those who received Medicaid in 2009-2010 were non-elderly white Americans, compared to Hispanics, who comprised 28 percent Hispanics and blacks at 22 percent. African-Americans make up only about 12 percent of the total population.
In Iowa, that gap widened considerably. That same year, 74 percent of those who received Medicaid were whites and 8 percent were blacks, according to statistics compiled by the Kaiser Family Foundation.
Although it’s unclear whether Santorum specifically singled out blacks, his other comments about Medicaid appeared to be off the mark.
“I was in Indianola a few months ago and I was talking to someone who works in the Department of Public Welfare here, and she told me that the state of Iowa is going to get fined if they don’t sign up more people under the Medicaid program,” Santorum said. ”They’re just pushing harder and harder to get more and more of you dependent upon them so they can get your vote. That’s what the bottom line is.”
First, there is no “Department of Public Welfare” in Iowa, as Santorum stated. It’s the Department of Human Services that disburses Medicaid grants.
Second, it is unclear to what “fine” Santorum was referring. Iowa, like other states, receives federal reimbursement for the money it disburses in Medicaid fees. There is no quota system or target that the state has to meet in order to be eligible for federal money. The amount of money that each state receives is dependent on its economy.
“The formula is based on how well that state is doing economically and since Iowa is improving its economic status, we are soon to lose a couple percentage points,” said Roger Munns, a spokesman for the Iowa Department of Human Services. “This is not a punishment. This is a recognition that Iowa’s economy is improving relative to other states.”
Although the number of Medicaid recipients in Iowa has increased, like the rest of the country, the number has flattened out in recent months.
“Iowa is in remarkably good shape,” Munns said. “The Medicaid program is fully funded for this fiscal year. Many state legislatures are asking for supplement. Our cost per member continues to be flat and low compared to other states and we continue to be aggressive in making sure that we squeeze out mistakes or fraud.”
What Santorum might have been referring to is the new federal health care law, which expands coverage to people who are at or below 133 percent of the federal poverty level. Like other states, Iowa will have to expand its eligibility requirement or face penalization when that clause in the Affordable Care Act goes into effect in 2014.
Santorum’s comments were first reported by NPR.
ABC News’ Z. Byron Wolf contributed to this report.
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Posted by: The Cynic | January 3, 2012, 1:25 pm 1:25 pm
Is learning to read a bar graph no longer part of the required curriculum for a journalism degree? Or for eighth grade, for that matter? 43% of nonelderly Medicaid recipients were white, not 43% of nonelderly whites received Medicaid. And you made the same mistake with all the other Medicaid stats you quote.
Posted by: E | January 3, 2012, 1:36 pm 1:36 pm
Just what we need. A draft dodger that wants to lead us to a war over lies, just like Bush!
Posted by: bob | January 3, 2012, 1:36 pm 1:36 pm
We here in PA voted Ricky out of the state senate as soon as we could, by a huge majority, once we became aware of his true self and agenda. He despises anyone who doesn’t look, think, and act the same way he does. He has no humanity or respect for most of us, and is obsessed with his extremist right-wing religious views, and to H#%L with everyone else. His ideal US. would be a religious theocracy, ruled by a fanatical Christian taliban.
Posted by: J.C. | January 3, 2012, 1:38 pm 1:38 pm
I believe that there is some bad grammar in this article.
Surely, you meant 43% of all non-elderly Medicaid receipients are white, instead “43 percent of non-elderly white Americans received Medicaid”. Iowa would be in a really bad way if “73 percent of whites and 13 percent of Hispanics were on Medicaid”.
Posted by: Mark Scott | January 3, 2012, 1:42 pm 1:42 pm
He’s right, it’s better to let people earn their own living and feel good about themselves than keep them addicted to govt money.
Posted by: Tilly | January 3, 2012, 1:43 pm 1:43 pm
Please explain why GOP & Santorum are against abortion, but they wants to send young people to their death in a war based on lies? Ironic!
Posted by: blind spot | January 3, 2012, 1:50 pm 1:50 pm
“He’s right, it’s better to let people earn their own living and feel good about themselves than keep them addicted to govt money.”
Yes he is BUT that it NOT what he said. By him specifically citing Blacks instead of just citing all lower income people doesn’t come across well. Is he one of those who believe it is only Blacks who take federal money?
Posted by: MyTakeOnThis61 | January 3, 2012, 1:51 pm 1:51 pm
Juxtapose “really REALLY whacky ” against merely ” whacky ” and as a natural consequence the latter predictably becomes at least somewhat preferable to the former , particularly as regards the latest US conservative presidential nominees . This is the RNC strategy ; i.e. run a bunch of real “out there” right wing nuts against the RNC’s preferred main horse ( i.e. Romney ) , nuts who are so loony and outlandish that they and their preposterous remarks and laughable ( read: scary ) future political plans will ostensibly make Romney , hopefully anyway , look more palatable to the dumbed-down US electorate / dupes . It’s a plan that really might work too as the American people are too busy watching American Idol or drinking beer or shooting each other to pay attention / investigate much anyway . Just Duh…..
Posted by: leeroybrown | January 3, 2012, 1:51 pm 1:51 pm
I’m African-American and I work everyday–I have since I was 17 yrs old. All of my friends and relatives work, and their friends, etc. I can honestly say that I don’t know of anyone who receives ‘welfare’. I have one friend who has two lazy relatives that live on public assistance–but that is IT. I am so sick of people telling me what my reality is when they haven’t a clue. I also know of people who are disabled and/or in poor-health; some of who receive disability and/or social security payments, and are often assumed to be welfare recipients. One person, specifically, was injured while servingthis country in the army. So people need to stop passing judgment when they don’t know what they are talking about: and then need to worry about themselves. This includes Rick Santorum and anyone else who believes that (only or mostly) black people are on welfare. Go pick up a book. Santorum struck and killed a black man with his car about 8-10 yrs ago: wonder why he’s not discussing THAT on the campaign trail. What a smug, narrow-minded, unattractive fool he is. Obama 2012!!!
Posted by: lovetheskiniamin | January 3, 2012, 2:00 pm 2:00 pm
He said, I am a racist or you lower class people. Either way, it is the evangelical outlook that is coming through his message (read Christian right, or moral majority) that won’t play across all of the country. Or, the GOP is also using the term “class warfare” being used in Obama’s speech’s. Using the terms “earn the money” definitely refers to welfare recipients hence, lower class people. He said what he said. How many millionaire GOP candidates are running? Now look in your pocket.
Posted by: Indymind | January 3, 2012, 2:02 pm 2:02 pm
Puhhleese! When ABC news becomes concerned with the mis-step, mistake and out right blunders of their current candidate running on the far left for his second term, that is when I will care about some taken out of context statement supposedly uttered my Mr. Santorum.
Posted by: Promulgator | January 3, 2012, 2:02 pm 2:02 pm
“Puhhleese! When ABC news becomes concerned with the mis-step, mistake and out right blunders of their current candidate running on the far left for his second term, that is when I will care about some taken out of context statement supposedly uttered my Mr. Santorum.”
Rarely happens. When the errors happen the press do call the President on them. Because… well.. do you NOW see the use and purpose of a teleprompter? They can be quite helpful…
Posted by: MyTakeOnThis61 | January 3, 2012, 2:11 pm 2:11 pm
Juxtapose “really REALLY whacky ” against merely ” whacky ” and as a natural consequence the latter predictably becomes at least somewhat preferable to the former , particularly as regards the latest US conservative presidential nominees . This is the RNC strategy ; i.e. run a bunch of real “out there” right wing nuts against the RNC’s preferred main horse ( i.e. Romney ) , nuts who are so loony and outlandish that they and their preposterous remarks and laughable ( read: scary ) future political plans will ostensibly make Romney , hopefully anyway , look more palatable to the dumbed-down US electorate / dupes . It’s a plan that really might work too as the American people are too busy watching American Idol or drinking beer or shooting each other to pay attention / investigate much anyway . Just Duh…..
Posted by: leetroybrown | January 3, 2012, 2:14 pm 2:14 pm
….some taken out of context statement supposedly uttered by Mr. Santorum. Posted by: Promulgator | January 3, 2012, 2:02 pm
“The former Pennsylvania senator is under fire after several news reports quoted him as saying, ”I don’t want to make black people’s lives better by giving them somebody else’s money. I want to give them the opportunity to go out and earn the money and provide for themselves and their families.”” ———- What context are we missing here? He hasn’t denied he said it, he said he ‘doesn’t recall’ saying it or the context in which it was presumably said. So – what context are we missing here?
Posted by: A Cynic | January 3, 2012, 2:17 pm 2:17 pm
A cynic….. i agree……there are people out there that dont want to admit that Rick Santurum made an IGNORANT statement……It is time to put his campaign to REST!
Posted by: american | January 3, 2012, 2:34 pm 2:34 pm
Why didn’t you people cover Obama the way you are and will cover the Republican candidates. If you had, we probably won’t have been in such an economic mess right now.
Posted by: migraine | January 3, 2012, 3:16 pm 3:16 pm
No surprise here. Rick Santorum undid himself in his own state because he is ignorant and arrogant (redundant?), and he displayed with appalling regularity. Given him a bigger stage, and it is just a matter of time before he shows his arse for what it truly is.
Posted by: T Ganski | January 3, 2012, 3:35 pm 3:35 pm
Ha…what’s even sadder is the folks saying he didn’t actually say ‘black’…he said some other word.
What word was he saying that fits that sentence? “I don’t want to make BLOCK poeple’s lives better”? Noooo… “I don’t want to make BRICK people’s lives better”? Noooooo….
Posted by: anonymous | January 3, 2012, 3:57 pm 3:57 pm
You have to insult what is considered the other in a true republican/conservative fashion to get conservative votes. How else is he going to gain conservative votes? by preaching love and tolerance and understanding and reconciliation? That is what Christians preach and liberals practice. As to the GOP the tried and true method of fear and prejudice will do!
Posted by: dabu | January 3, 2012, 4:22 pm 4:22 pm
You have to be kidding me there is a question over what Santorum said. Spineless.
Posted by: Raoul | January 3, 2012, 4:27 pm 4:27 pm
They should nominate him. He represents his constituency well and he would be a worthy opponent for Obama. I’m sure there is some logical explanation for what he said, which includes that he might be a racist.
Posted by: sameagain | January 3, 2012, 4:28 pm 4:28 pm
opps!
Posted by: newcountryman | January 3, 2012, 4:30 pm 4:30 pm
Why didn’t you people cover Obama the way you are and will cover the Republican candidates. If you had, we probably won’t have been in such an economic mess right now. Posted by: migraine | January 3, 2012, 3:16 pm.
Obama WAS covered. A lot. By everyone. Including FOX and the Republicans opposing him. You must have forgotten, or not been paying attention. And realistically, what do you think a McCain presidency would have done differently from an Obama presidency regarding the economy? You must admit, when Bush left office, the place was a real mess. How would McCain have fared better?
Posted by: A Cynic | January 3, 2012, 4:55 pm 4:55 pm
The Problem is most people don’t do their research. Even with politicians on my side I do research when they make comments. Now with the comment that Rick Santorum made about walfare and blacks, if people go use the large library called the internet and do some researching, you will fine that more whites are on welfare than blacks. Yeah Yeah the image of welfare receivers are lazy uncleaned black women breeding to get welfare but the fact is most are white people.
go and Google …. the Business Library AND who get walfare
Posted by: Doyourresearch | January 3, 2012, 6:35 pm 6:35 pm
HA HA HA
Posted by: RB | January 3, 2012, 8:30 pm 8:30 pm
Why did he specifically call out blacks in relation to social programs? Do whites, hispanics, asians etc. not benefit from these programs as well? hmmm… you sir are a racist, or stupid for making the comment. Neither one is good and you won’t be my president.
Posted by: beastwork | January 3, 2012, 11:02 pm 11:02 pm
People should never forget that real health depends how well you take care of yourself and not what health insurance you carry but I agree health insurance is important for every one. Search “Penny Medical” or online for dollar a day insurance plans.
Posted by: SteveRNewman | January 4, 2012, 1:00 am 1:00 am
Listened to it twice and he diden’t say black. What has happened to ABC and actual news
Posted by: Donkey Kong | January 4, 2012, 8:13 am 8:13 am
ABC needs not to couch this as a slip of the tongue in the first line.”Rick Santorum either stumbled on his words or singled out African-Americans when deriding welfare Sunday.” He said what he meant. ” I don’t want to give black people other people’s money.” point blank. Call it what it is. Gracious
Posted by: KC | January 4, 2012, 2:50 pm 2:50 pm
I am a 47 year old black male who has served my country for 22 years and continued for another 7 years in law enforcement. I am now a government employee working to the tune of over 30 years of blood, sweat and tears. Everything I have I have earned, and not had it given to me. Mr. Santorum, do your homework before you generalize.”HOW DARE YOU”
Posted by: Robert | January 4, 2012, 8:33 pm 8:33 pm
Someone should really listen to what he said before reporting. I dont like him either but he didnt say black. He jumbled some words together. He doesnt deserve this. He told the white people in the room that the government wanted to make them dependent on gov. Why would then say something about blacks right after that. Ridiculous. Poor shameful biased reporting.
Posted by: Rod in SC | January 4, 2012, 8:52 pm 8:52 pm
I love it when a lie ends up illuminating the truth. 73 percent of recipients in that state are white WOW
Posted by: traci | January 5, 2012, 3:04 am 3:04 am
Im so sick and tired of dumb stupid people trying to put ever thing thats wrong with the economy on President Obama!! When President Obama took office, the economy was losing more than 700000 jobs per month. I guess we just forgot about the jacked up mess that Bush had us in. Rick Santorum is ignorant and I pray that people pay attention to the dumb stuff that comes out his mouth before they elect him!!! Because if you cant represent everyone why waste anyones time dummy!!!!
Posted by: Wendy Sullivan | March 20, 2012, 6:30 pm 6:30 pm
This fellow is both a LIAR and a scondrel. After mentioning black people here–in a state where more than 70% of welfare recipients are white–he dined it. In this appearance he is telling people that unemployment is higher for non-gradutes. Implying that a degreed job seeker is better off. In another appearence more recently and much later than this one he is lambasting the President for talking up college education because quote “he wants to re-make people in his image.” What a scondrel. White Americans need to learn about the “dog whistle” and Pavlov’s law of conditioned reflexes and stop being played by your own people. Who are not looking out for your interest. If they were they would not HAVE TO LIE SO MUCH.
Posted by: Syl Isi | March 31, 2012, 6:26 pm 6:26 pm
I believe some of the logic I’ve seen here misfires. It’s true that 61% of white people take the lion’s share of the annual $700B in welfare money, with black people taking 31%, but there are seven times more white people in the country. If you do the math, (based on 39M blacks and 225M whites) it shows that for every white person on welfare there are four blacks receiving it. Another interesting fact is that the black population is 12.4% and Hispanics are 16.5%, but the ratio of blacks on welfare increases to almost 10-1 when compared to hispanics. I don’t profess to understand why this exists, nor will I make any value judgments on anyone. I only look at numbers. The question we all should focus on is how to improve the quality of life for all Americans.
Ricardo
Posted by: Ricardo | May 14, 2012, 11:50 am 11:50 am