He didn’t refer to Perry by name during his remarks on stage. That didn't dissuade Santorum, who has obviously been following Perry's comments closely. Perry, citing 10 th Amendment protections of states’ rights, had also said that it was “their business.” Perry has since backtracked from the remarks, telling a prominent social conservative leader that he was not actually "fine" with New York's gay marriage law. Santorum was referring to Perry’s now-famous statement last week in Aspen that he was “fine” with New York adopting a gay marriage law. It is not fine with me that New York is setting a template that will cause great division in this country.” “It is not fine with me that New York has destroyed marriage. “States do not have the right to destroy the American family. Then, during a question-and-answer session with activists, Santorum unloaded on the governor. First, before a book signing event, Santorum told reporters he had a “difference of opinion” with Perry on gay marriage and said it was wrong and divisive to create a patchwork of marriage laws in the 50 states.
Santorum, a former Pennsylvania senator, criticized Perry three different times at the Western Conservative Summit, where both are speaking to conservative activists. It was the first time Perry, who is assembling a cadre potential donors for a likely presidential race, has come under sustained attack from a GOP White House contender.
DENVER - Rick Perry drew direct fire from a potential rival Friday night when GOP presidential contender Rick Santorum attacked the Texas governor’s recent comments about how far states can go in setting policies on gay marriage and abortion.