Rick Santorum wants to talk about Iran.
In a recent debate and in a new radio ad titled “Disaster” that he’s airing in Iowa, Santorum said he’s the only candidate discussing the regime in Tehran.
“Some say Barack Obama is a disaster. The truth, he’d have to dramatically improve to be considered a disaster. And now, a new report exposes how Iran is moving rapidly to develop a nuclear weapon and once again Obama has no plan,” the ad says. It refers to a report released last week by the International Atomic Energy Agency – the world’s nuclear watchdog.
Santorum’s spot leverages his foreign policy experience, saying:
“Rick Santorum served on the Armed Services Committee for 8 years and he wrote tough legislation to help stop Iran’s growing aggression. Even Newt Gingrich said no one has done more than Santorum to alert America to the dangers posed by Iran.”
Santorum had a chance to showcase his foreign policy and national security credentials Saturday during the CBS/National Journal GOP debate in Spartanburg, SC – though he received far fewer questions than the front runners in the race.
Check out the National Journal’s look at Santorum’s foreign policy positions.
The Narrowing Window
The GOP presidential race is shaping up to be a race between former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and the other guy, and Santorum is determined to prove that he can be that other guy.
Between Rick Perry’s unforgettable ‘oops’ moment at Wednesday’s CNBC Republican debate and the sexual harassment allegations against Herman Cain that are flooding the media, Santorum’s path to victory is emerging as the next Romney alternative. It looks like Newt Gingrich may beat him to it – the former House Speaker has recently risen in many polls.
According to a recent Gallop Poll, 45 percent of Republican voters believe Mitt Romney is most likely to win the 2012 Republican presidential nomination regardless of whom they support. The results indicate that Republicans are more than twice as likely to believe Romney will win the nomination as to prefer he be the nominee.
On a national level, according to Gallup, Romney and businessman Herman Cain are in the lead with 21 percent. Gingrich receives 12 percent, followed by Texas Governor Rick Perry with 11 percent, Texas Congressman Ron Paul at 8 percent, Minnesota Congressman Michele Bachman with 3 percent. Santorum trails with 2 percent of the vote.
With the Iowa caucuses less than two months away, Santorum’s campaign is focused on the Hawkeye state.
Santorum is the only candidate that has been to all 99 counties of Iowa developing relationships with voters. He’s hopeful that he can win Iowa in January and turn his campaign around.
“I think we’re going to win Iowa. I’m feeling better about that every single day,” the former Pennsylvania senator said on a campaign stop in South Carolina. “It’s not going to show up in the polls. My projection is we’ll never be ahead in the polls prior to caucus day.”
One Response
I have figured it out. I wondered how Rick Santorum could ever think of winning the election without winning his former home state. Now I know. Rick Santorum is running for Sec. of State in the Perry Administration.
Rick Perry, actually, means what Rick Santorum says.