Candidates spar over women in combat roles

Rick Santorum and George Pataki sparred over the Obama administration’s recent move to allow female service members to take any role within the military on Tuesday after Santorum panned the administration for ignoring studies that questioned the policy.

“They pushed a political agenda above what is in the best interest of the safety, security, and effectiveness of our fighting units,” the former Pennsylvania senator said during CNN’s undercard Republican presidential debate.

“I would go back to using what we should be doing, which is putting people on those front line positions who are best prepared to do the job, survive the job, and come home safely.”

{mosads}Santorum quibbled with the former New York governor when he pushed back and accused the former senator of calling to reverse the ban outright. Santorum clarified that he only meant that people should only serve in combat roles if qualified but refused to say he would support women in all roles.

“I’ve got a son who is going into the Air Force right now and as a father … I want to make sure that the person who is responsible for his wing has the ability to do the job they are doing,” he said.

“If we are doing social promotion instead of what is best for the efficacy of our fighting force, and for the survivability of our men and women, I’ll change that policy.”

Pataki, who has two veteran sons, pushed back repeatedly and noted that the current policy still keeps the bar equally high for male or female soldiers.

“I completely disagree with Rick. This is America and we’ve made enormous progress. I don’t care if you are a man or a woman. I care if you are good,” he said.

“If a woman is capable of doing these jobs, there is no reason we should deny a patriot who wants to serve and defend our country.”