Law School Graduate Rick Santorum in 2012: “College is for snobs.” Santorum in 2006: “I want to help all Pennsylvanians attend college.”

Rick Santorum vs Mitt Romney - Editorial Cartoon
Santorum is using his recent popularity boost to bring social issues back to the forefront of 2012 election.

 

Rick Santorum vs Mitt Romney - Editorial Cartoon

Santorum is using his recent popularity boost to bring social issues back to the forefront of 2012 election.

 

Rick Santorum has been criticizing President Obama’s recently announced initiative to lower the financial barriers preventing many low-income families from sending someone to college. Here is one such remark, delivered during a speech to Americans for Prosperity group in Michigan on Saturday:

 

“President Obama once said he wants everybody in America to go to college. What a snob. There are good, decent men and women who go out and work hard every day and put their skills to test who aren’t taught by some liberal college professor that tried to indoctrinate them. I understand why [Obama] wants you to go to college… he wants to remake you in his image.”

 

This is from a guy with a B.A., M.A., and J.D. in law. Santorum was on Meet The Press earlier today defending his recent anti-college rhetoric:

 

“What I’ve said is I want everyone to have the opportunity to go to college, or whatever other higher training skills. But it doesn’t mean you have to go to a four-year college degree… I think everyone should have the opportunity. It’s about what’s best for you.”

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What’s interesting about this defense is that President Obama has often pushed for more funding for local community colleges which offer 2-year or less degree and certificate programs.

Talking Points Memo has dug up an old archive of Santorum’s 2006 Senate campaign website in which he states his views on higher education which happen to be very similar to President Obama’s:

 

In addition to Rick’s support of ensuring that primary and secondary schools in Pennsylvania are equipped for success, he is equally committed to ensuring [that] every Pennsylvanian has access to higher education. Rick Santorum has supported legislative solutions that provide loans, grants, and tax incentives to make higher education more accessible and affordable.

Rick Santorum supports increased funding for Pell Grants, and since 2001 funding for the Pell Grant program has increased 47 percent. Pennsylvania students have benefitted tremendously from Pell Grants; providing a college education for our state’s youth who otherwise might not be able to afford one.

In addition, Rick has worked to strengthen the many higher education institutions across Pennsylvania from community colleges to four-year universities. Through grants and policy initiatives, Rick Santorum is proud to further the priorities of Pennsylvania’s colleges and universities.

That’s right folks, a politician that is a hypocrite. Go figure.