Santorum comfortable with poll numbers ahead of caucus

Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum says he’s still in a good position to win the Iowa caucuses on Feb. 1.

The Republican presidential candidate met with potential Des Moines caucusgoers on Tuesday night in Waukee at the home of the candidate’s county field representative. He addressed the “elephant in the room” right off the bat — his low polling numbers.

According to the latest Des Moines Register/Bloomberg Politics Iowa Poll, Santorum sits at 1 percent in Iowa. Reflecting back on his victory in 2012, Santorum said he was at 3 percent until 12 to 15 days before he won the first-in-the-nation vote.

He attributes the low numbers to undecided voters who are still “sorting through” 11 options for the Republican nominee. It was the same in 2012, he said, but with fewer candidates — meaning it may take voters longer than normal to decide who they will caucus for.

“I’m counting on Iowa to do what they did four years ago. And that is lead, not follow,” Santorum said. “That is, don’t settle for a candidate that somebody says can win because they’re high in the polls or they have a lot of money or endorsements or whatever. Do what you think is right for the country.”

Santorum said voters need to look for a candidate who has consistently proven fundamental values of the Republican Party. He said he believes Iowans relate to his campaign because he addresses the American worker — not just the business owner. Santorum said he will work to increase manufacturing and trade to “create wealth” for working Americans.

“I think that’s the difference maker,” he said.

Bill Brown, a Des Moines attorney who hosted Tuesday’s event along with his wife, Patti, said he likes Santorum’s position on reinvigorating manufacturing, his stance on traditional marriage and his experience with foreign policy.

“He’s convinced that the way to middle class renewal and good jobs is going to be a reinvigoration of manufacturing,” Brown said. “And that entails policies that are friendly to manufacturing rather than driving them away to China and elsewhere.”

ABOUT THE EVENT

SETTING: The home of Bill and Patti Brown on Napa Valley Drive in Waukee. 

CROWD: About 30 sat in the family's living room, dining room and kitchen while the former senator spoke. 

REACTION: Attendees politely listened and asked questions, giving Santorum an applause before he left for the evening. 

WHAT'S NEXT: Santorum has three house parties scheduled in northwest Iowa on Wednesday. See the candidate tracker for more details.