Gingrich disagrees with fellow Catholic Santorum about historic Kennedy speech on religion

By Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Newt Gingrich disagrees with Rick Santorum’s harsh criticism of the famous speech on religion that John F. Kennedy delivered as he campaigned to become the nation’s first Roman Catholic president.Gingrich and Santorum, each a Catholic seeking the GOP nomination, view Kennedy’s words differently. Santorum says he felt sick after reading Kennedy’s 1960 speech and believes it advocated absolute separation of church and state.

( Evan Vucci / Associated Press ) – Republican presidential candidate, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich speaks during a campaign rally at the State Capitol on Monday, Feb. 27, 2012 in Nashville, Tenn.

Gingrich calls it a “remarkable speech.” He told Fox News Channel on Tuesday that Kennedy was reassuring voters that he wouldn’t obey any foreign religious leader. Gingrich said Kennedy was declaring “that his first duty as president would be to do the job of president, and I think that’s correct.”Gingrich does share Santorum’s position on President Barack Obama, however. Gingrich said Obama’s administration is “anti-religious.”

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