Rick Santorum On Gay Soldier Booed During Debate: ‘Did Not Hear Those Boos’

On Friday afternoon’s edition of America Live, host Megyn Kelly, who acted as a co-moderator in last night’s Fox News/Google Republican Presidential Debate, asked one of those participating candidates — Rick Santorum — about a controversial question that came up during the debate. And it wasn’t about Santorum’s particular answer to a question he had received from a gay soldier named Stephen Hill via YouTube, but, rather, about the audience’s reaction to the soldier’s question. As you’re likely well aware, there was some scattered, but robust, booing emanating from some in the crowd last night after Hill asked “Do you plan to circumvent the progress that has been made for gay and lesbian soldiers in the military?”

Santorum offered his take on what happened last night:

I condemn the people who booed that gay soldier. That soldier is serving our country. I thank him for his service to our country. I’m sure he’s doing an excellent job; I hope he is safe and I hope he returns safely and does his mission well.

I have to admit I seriously did not hear those boos. Had I heard them, I certainly would have commented on them. But, as you know, when you’re in that sort of environment, you’re sort of focused on the question and formulating you answer, and I just didn’t hear those couple of boos that were out there. But certainly had I, I would’ve said, “Don’t do that. This man is serving our country and we are to thank him for his service.”

Kelly brings up an excellent point, sharing that it was unclear whether those booing were doing so because of the soldier, or the content of his question.

Moral of the story? Think before you do something as juvenile and unproductive as booing during a debate among presidential hopefuls. Because, if you don’t, we’re left following a distracting and potentially damning thread of conversation, while the larger issues at hand — DADT and the fate of gay soldiers in the military — are shoved into the background. And, with that, I’ll just take my soapbox and be on my way.

Have a look at the segment, via Fox News:

This is an opinion piece. The views expressed in this article are those of just the author.