Santorum equates gay marriage with polygamy (again)

Rick Santorum had a testy exchange with college students from a New Hampshire college today over - what else - gay marriage.

Santorium was speaking at the College Convention 2012, a forum organized by New England College and open to students from all over the state, regardless of political party, the New York Times reported on Thursday. The event was described by the college as "a unique opportunity for students to participate in this important dialogue."

The Times says that when asked about gay marriage, Santorum "began a Socratic lecture about changing the laws on marriage, repeatedly asking the students questions.

" 'Don't you have to make the positive argument why the law should be changed?' he asked several of them."

Pressed further, Santorum "compared changing marriage laws to building a bridge. You have to have a reason to build the bridge, he said. He then said that many of the things that same-sex marriage advocates want - like the ability to visit loved ones in hospitals - can be accomplish through contract law.

" 'Can that right be legally done right now through contract?' he asked. 'Yes it can.' "

But the more heated exchange followed when a woman asked if Santorum felt that two gay men had the right to marry to be happy.

"In response, Mr. Santorum asked whether she thought that more than two people should be allowed to marry, apparently trying to suggest that the questioner was advocating an extreme position.

" 'If you're not happy unless you're married to five other people, is that O.K.?' he asked."

Some members of the audience booed his response, leading Santorum to admonish the audience about having "a civil discussion."

When the woman dismissed Santorum's argument advocating bigamy, the senator persisted.

"What about three men?" he asked.

"That's not what I'm talking about," the woman replied.

The Times says that Santorum was booed by some students when he left the session.