Santorum tries to recapture 2012 Iowa campaign magic with 80 stops
GREENFIELD, Ia. – Former Sen. Rick Santorum has begun an all-out sprint to the finish line for the Feb. 1 Iowa caucuses, hoping to recapture some of the magic he had in winning the 2012 Republican caucuses.
Santorum said Tuesday he plans to make 80 campaign stops in Iowa between now and caucus night, dashing from one town to another in GMC Yukon sport utility vehicle driven by an aide.
During a campaign visit Tuesday afternoon at The Corner coffee shop/antique store here, retired construction executive John Schildberg gave Santorum some friendly advice: “My wife tells me you might not get elected because you’re too nice a guy, and you know that.”
Santorum was undeterred and replied, “You can be nice, but you can be tough.”
At each event Tuesday, Santorum implored potential caucus-goers to rally to his side.
He contrasted himself with other candidates, saying he’s strong on national security issues, and particularly regarding threats from ISIS and Iran. He also pointed to his advocacy for two-parent families and his support of blue-collar workers, which includes supporting the restoration of the nation’s manufacturing base and increasing the minimum wage.
“If you want to shake things up in the race, Iowa can do that. There is nothing that would shake things up more for me to be vaulted from where I am to a strong finish in Iowa,” he told about 25 people at a Pizza Ranch in Altoona.
Santorum lags far behind in Iowa polls, registering only 1 percent in a Des Moines Register/Bloomberg News survey conducted earlier this month. But he and his campaign strategists remain optimistic that his relentless grass-roots campaigning will pay off with better results on caucus night.
It’s also clear that while Santorum has lost some key supporters in Iowa from his 2012 race, there are still some Iowans who embrace his candidacy and his message of social and fiscal conservatism.
Rick and Dawn Cowman of Monroe, who have home schooled their four children, both said they are supporting Santorum for a second time. They like his pro-family views and his stance in support of religious liberties.
“He is the same guy in person and on the stage. He speaks from his heart and tells the truth, whether you want to hear it or not,” Dawn Cowman said.
AT THE EVENT
SETTINGS: Speech to 10th Annual Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit at Prairie Meadows Events Center in Altoona, and town hall meetings at the Pizza Ranch in Altoona and The Corner coffee shop/antique store in Greenfield.
CROWDS: About 400 at Prairie Meadows, 25 at the Pizza Ranch, and about 10 at The Corner store.
REACTION: Positive and friendly crowds at each stop. Many people on the campaign trail were renewing friendships with Santorum from his 2012 race, and he warmly greeted them.
WHAT'S NEXT: Santorum finishes up a three-day Iowa campaign trip on Wednesday morning with stops in Sibley and Rock Rapids, and he returns Saturday for campaigning through the Feb. 1 Iowa caucuses.