Washington is in an uproar this week over comments made by a Republican leader that appear to condemn homosexuality.

Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Penn., said in an interview with The Associated Press allowing people to engage in homosexual relations would open the door to a variety of other sex acts including adultery, incest and polygamy. He also said he did not approve of sexual relationships other than traditional heterosexual ones and homosexuality is a threat to the family and society, according to CNN.com.

Democrats and gay rights groups alike called for measures ranging from an apology from Santorum to his removal from his position as chairman of the Republican Senate Caucus. Thus far, the only action Santorum has taken is to release a statement calling the AP story “misleading.”

Some have called for President Bush to take a stance on the controversy, but so far he has not given any comment. This neutral position from the White House stands in sharp contrast to similar events of past months, when congressional slips of the tongue led to public outcry.

Many still remember the controversy surrounding Sen. Trent Lott’s resignation from his post as Senate majority leader following comments that seemed to espouse segregation. More recently, Rep. Jim Moran forfeited his position as a Democratic regional whip in response to comments implying that Jewish people were to blame for the U.S. invasion of Iraq.

It was easy for the White House to call for the demotions of these congressmen because racism and anti-Semitism is almost universally frowned upon – by Democrats and Republicans alike. However, Bush is unwilling to denounce a belief held by so many members of his own party (and probably himself as well) – the belief in “family values.”

While no one dares argue that segregation would be beneficial to mankind, many still believe that homosexuality is antithetical to a decent society. Although a few Republicans have denounced Santorum’s comments, it is doubtful that the more conservative wings of the party will follow suit.

Bush should put the positions of his party aside and do to Santorum exactly what was done to Lott and Moran: call for his demotion. In Santorum’s case, expressing a more moderate view of homosexuality would have saved him all this trouble, and his own party would not have been affected. If the Republican Party is truly interested in a bipartisan government, its leaders should keep opponents’ views in mind when voicing their own opinions.