Rick Santorum Announces 'Patriot Voices'

Daniel, 

Over the past two months, I've spent a lot of time reflecting upon the past year. I've been thinking about the campaign we ran, the overwhelming support from our grassroots family, and how we accomplished what nobody thought we could: we reminded the nation that conservative values are alive and well all across America. 

I knew that we had to harness that success and momentum, and keep propelling forward our shared commitment to promoting faith, family, freedom and opportunity in this country.

That is why I've decided to launch a new organization, Patriot Voices. This grassroots and online organization is founded on the values you and I hold in the highest regard, and is a platform for Americans across the country to stand together to affect change that otherwise could not be accomplished alone.

We have a goal of recruiting one million members who share our convictions, and who:

• Believe that family is the foundation for a healthy society and a strong economy;
• Believe in freedom and American exceptionalism, entrepreneurship and opportunity, and personal responsibility;
• Seek to be a voice for those who often cannot find for themselves: the unborn, the disabled, the elderly, and those struggling economically in these difficult times

With our one million members united in Patriot Voices, we can drive the defeat of Barack Obama in November, offer support to candidates who will stand up for conservative values, and continue to transform the political landscape of our country.

I couldn't have run my campaign without you, and I can't make Patriot Voices the organization it should be without your help, either. Would you consider learning more about Patriot Voices by watching my video, and becoming one of the first members on our website?

I remain forever grateful for your support, and look forward to continuing our message with Patriot Voices. 

 

Rick Santorum

Senator Santorum Endorses Romney

Senator Rick Santorum

In the following E-mail sent tonight to campaign supporters, Senator Santorum endorsed Mitt Romney, the presumptive GOP presidential nominee.

We hope voters in upcoming primaries will vote principles, not presumption, and let delegates and GOP leaders know their true preference for the party nominee.  There is no nominee until 1144 convention delegates agree upon one.

In the meantime, we salute Senator Santorum for the very honorable way he conducted his campaign, for fighting the good fight, and for representing the views of millions of principled conservative voters. We know Rick Santorum will play an important role in the future of our nation and we wish him and his great family God's richest blessings.

Daniel

Thank you again for all you did as one of my strongest and committed supporters. Your belief in our campaign helped us start a movement of Americans who believe deeply that our best days are ahead as long as we fight to strengthen our families, unshackle our economy and promote freedom here and around the world. Karen and I will be forever grateful for the support, kindness and commitment you showed us, as well as our children, over these last months.

On Friday, Governor Romney came to Pittsburgh for an over-hour long one-on-one meeting. The conversation was candid, collegial and focused on the issues that you helped me give voice to during our campaign; because I believe they are essential ingredients to not only winning this fall, but turning our country around.

While the issue of my endorsement did not come up, I certainly have heard from many of you who have weighed in on whether or not I should issue a formal endorsement. Thank you for your counsel, it has been most helpful. However, I felt that it was completely impossible for me to even consider an endorsement until after a meeting to discuss issues critical to those of us who often feel our voices are not heard by the establishment: social conservatives, tea-party supporters, lower and middle income working families.

Clearly without the overwhelming support from you all, I never would have won 11 states and over 3 million votes, and we would not have won more counties than all the other candidates combined. I can assure you that even though I am no longer a candidate for president, I will still continue to fight every day for our shared values - the values that made America the greatest country in the history of the world.

During our meeting I felt a deep responsibility to assess Governor Romney's commitment to addressing the issues most important to conservatives, as well his commitment to ensuring our appropriate representation in a Romney administration.

The family and its foundational role in America's economic success, a central point of our campaign, was discussed at length. I was impressed with the Governor's deep understanding of this connection and his commitment to economic policies that preserve and strengthen families. He clearly understands that having pro-family initiatives are not only the morally and economically right thing to do, but that the family is the basic building block of our society and must be preserved.

I also shared with Governor Romney my belief that we cannot restore America as the greatest economic engine the world has ever seen until we return America to being a manufacturing superpower. He listened very carefully to my advice on this matter, and while our policy prescriptions differed, he clearly expressed his desire to create more opportunities for those that are feeling left behind in this economy.

As it is often said, "personnel is policy." I strongly encouraged Governor Romney as he builds out his campaign staff and advisors that he add more conservative leaders as an integral part of his team. And you can be sure that I will work with the Governor to help him in this task to ensure he has a strong team that will support him in his conservative policy initiatives.

Of course we talked about what it would take to win this election. As you know I started almost every speech with the phrase that this was the most important election since the election of 1860 and four more years of President Obama is simply not an option. As I contemplated what further steps I will take, that reality weighed heavy on me. The America we know is being fundamentally changed to look more like a European socialist state than the land of opportunity our founding fathers established.

Freedom and personal responsibility are being replaced with big government dependency. The greatest and most productive workers in the world are being hamstrung by excessive regulations making it impossible to compete. Our healthcare system had been socialized, and the worth of each life dictated by some government bureaucrat. Our allies are insulted while our enemies are appeased. And our religious beliefs and freedom have come under attack.

What is even more troubling is what a second term of an Obama administration could bring. President Obama's admission to the Russians that he will have more flexibility in a second term can only be translated to "if you thought I was liberal in the first four years you haven't seen anything yet!"

The primary campaign certainly made it clear that Governor Romney and I have some differences. But there are many significant areas in which we agree: the need for lower taxes, smaller government, and a reduction in out-of-control spending. We certainly agree that abortion is wrong and marriage should be between one man and one woman. I am also comfortable with Governor Romney on foreign policy matters, and we share the belief that we can never allow Iran to possess nuclear weapons. And while I had concerns about Governor Romney making a case as a candidate about fighting against Obamacare, I have no doubt if elected he will work with a Republican Congress to repeal it and replace it with a bottom up, patient, not government, driven system.

Above all else, we both agree that President Obama must be defeated. The task will not be easy. It will require all hands on deck if our nominee is to be victorious. Governor Romney will be that nominee and he has my endorsement and support to win this the most critical election of our lifetime.

My conversation with Governor Romney was very productive, but I intend to keep lines of communication open with him and his campaign. I hope to ensure that the values that made America that shining city on the hill are illuminated brightly by our party and our candidates thus ensuring not just a victory, but a mandate for conservative governance.

Karen and I know firsthand how difficult the campaign trail can be particularly as governor Romney faces relentless attacks from the democrats. We have been praying for him and his family and will continue to do so in the weeks and months ahead.

Thank you again for all you have done for us, and I look forward to working together to defeat President Obama this fall and to protect faith, family, freedom and opportunity in America.

With Gratitude,

Rick Santorum

P.S. As promised, very soon we will be making another big announcement, and I will be asking you to once again join forces with me to keep up the fight, together. Stay tuned.

Santorum Declines to Endorse Mitt Romney

Surrounded by his wife, Karen, and members of his family, former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum announces he will suspend his campaign during a press conference in Gettysburg, Pa. (Getty Images / April 10, 2012)

Rick Santorum pointedly declined Monday night to endorse presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney, instead pointing out that he has not backed a candidate in the race and urging his supporters to vote their conscience.

“As far as how you vote, that’s up to you,” Santorum told thousands of supporters during a conference call. “I haven’t supported any candidate at this point, so that’s really up to you.”

Read the rest of this entry >>

Rick Santorum's Daughter: What is Trisomy 18?

From The Christian Post

By Ivana Kvesic

Republican presidential hopeful Rick Santorum took time off of his busy campaign trail this past weekend to visit his 3-year-old daughter Isabella, or "Bella," at a Philadelphia hospital.

The youngest child of the GOP hopeful was hospitalized due to complications with a genetic disorder known as Trisomy 18.

It Is Hard to Be Catholic in Public Life

 ". . . our founders, rooted in their own faith convictions, knew that faith was not just an essential element, but the essence of civilization and the inspiration of culture."

By Rick Santorum

 

Of all the great and necessary freedoms listed in the First Amendment, freedom to exercise religion (not just to believe, but to live out that belief) is the most important; before freedom of speech, before freedom of the press, before freedom of assembly, before freedom to petition the government for redress of grievances, before all others.

This freedom of religion, freedom of conscience, is the trunk from which all other branches of freedom on our great tree of liberty get their life. Cut down the trunk and the tree of liberty will die and in its place will be only the barren earth of tyranny. Our founders understood this, and that is why James Madison described the First Amendment's protection of religious freedom as "the true remedy."

Santorum Easily Defeats Romney in Louisiana

(CBS News) Rick Santorum easily won the Republican presidential primary in Louisiana on Saturday, garnering close to twice as many votes as his next closest competitor. Santorum's victory is fresh evidence of the weakness of front-runner Mitt Romney, who is nonetheless increasingly likely to be the Republican who takes on President Obama in November.

Santorum, a former Pennsylvania senator and social conservative, did well among evangelicals, Catholics and those who identify themselves as "very conservative," according to CBS News exit polls. The win marks the 11th victory for Santorum, who has done well in the Deep South, including victories earlier this month in Alabama and Mississippi.

With all 4,267 precincts reporting, Santorum had about 49 percent of the vote, or 91,305 votes, while second place Romney had 27 percent, or 49,749 votes. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich was a distant third with 16 percent and Texas Rep. Ron Paul had just 6 percent of the counted vote.

Complete Louisiana GOP results
Louisiana primary results by county
Full Louisiana exit poll

Santorum or Romney? Culture War or Class War?

From The Center for Vision and Values, Grove City College

By Paul G. Kengor

The question for Republicans right now seems obvious: Would you prefer Rick Santorum or Mitt Romney to run against Barack Obama?

Well, it depends on whether you prefer to engage President Obama on cultural grounds or on terms of class warfare. Obama and his chief political strategist, David Axelrod, are going to give us one or the other. Thus, maybe the better question is: Can Santorum articulate and defend social conservatism better than Romney can defend free markets? Which of the two is a more forceful, eloquent spokesperson for the area that Obama and Axelrod will use to define and malign him?

Not only has President Obama been employing class rhetoric unceasingly for three years now, but David Axelrod has been planning precisely such an assault against Mitt Romney. “Obama officials intend to frame Romney as the very picture of greed in the great recession—a sort of political Gordon Gekko,” reported an August 2011 Politico piece titled, “Obama plan: Destroy Romney.” The piece quoted Axelrod: “He [Romney] was very, very good at making a profit for himself and his partners but not nearly as good [at] saving jobs for communities. He is very much the profile of what we’ve seen in the last decade on Wall Street.”

This was the plan even before the Occupy Wall Street movement exploded. Axelrod and Obama view Mitt Romney as red meat for the Occupy movement, the poster-boy for Wall Street greed.

“[Romney] says he represents business,” Axelrod told MSNBC in October, “but he really represents the Wall Street side of business.”

Axelrod told George Stephanopoulos that Romney is “not a job creator” but a “corporate raider” who outsourced “tens of thousands of jobs,” “closed down more than 1,000 plants, stores, and offices,” and joined “his partners” in making “hundreds of millions of dollars” at the expense of the poor. Axelrod calls this the “Bain mentality.”

This caustic, class-warfare rhetoric is just a taste of what will come if Romney gets the GOP nomination. The class envy will get far worse. And no one will do it better than a smiling Obama.

Perhaps the only thing that might energize the president and his team more is a battle with the Catholic Church over his HHS mandate on “contraception.” And that’s where Rick Santorum comes in.

I’m increasingly convinced that President Obama wants this fight with the Catholic Church. I think this is a fight not only close to Obama’s ideological heart, but one he perversely feels can help him politically. If he can frame this debate as not about taxpayer support of abortion drugs, or about religious liberty, or freedom of conscience, or the First Amendment and Constitution—all of which it is—but about “women’s rights” vs. the stodgy old men who run the Catholic Church, he will make headway with certain voters. Don’t underestimate Obama’s ability to do just that.

If Rick Santorum becomes the 2012 GOP nominee, he’ll be an automatic spokesman for the Catholic Church’s position. He’s a living, breathing testimony to the Church’s teaching, from his own personal life to his well-informed intellect on Church teachings. Rick Santorum is the rarest candidate who has actually read Church encyclicals like Humanae Vitae and Evangelium Vitae.

That’s just fine for President Obama and David Axelrod. They’ll take that guy any day. Hey, buddy, you want a culture war based on Catholic Church teachings? You got it!

Never mind, of course, that President Obama started this fight with his heavy-handed decree to the Catholic Church. The president’s protective media will behave as if Rick Santorum is the intrusive one, rudely and righteously thrusting his faith into the “public square.” The media will not portray Santorum as simply reacting to Obama’s totally unnecessary decree and intrusion—which is what really happened—but as a sexist Neanderthal who just can’t pull his nose out of your bedroom.

So, that brings us back to my original question for Republicans: Which of the two—Romney or Santorum—is a more forceful, eloquent spokesperson for the issues that Obama and Axelrod will use to define and malign him? I think the answer is Santorum, which is less a vote for Santorum than a vote of no confidence in Romney’s persuasive abilities. Or does that bring us back to Newt, assuming Newt remains politically viable?

One thing is certain: Neither of these Obama-Axelrod tactics will unify Americans; it will divide them, pitting them against each other by class or religion, by income or faith, by money or conscience. And that isn’t a good thing, especially from a president who promised to be a unifier and symbol of “hope.”

Dr. Paul Kengor is professor of political science at Grove City College, executive director of The Center for Vision & Values, and author of the newly released Dupes: How America’s Adversaries Have Manipulated Progressives for a Century. His other books include The Crusader: Ronald Reagan and the Fall of Communism and God and Ronald Reagan.

The Faith and Worldview of Rick Santorum

Address to pastors at the Bella Donna Chapel, Dallas, Texas, 2/8/12 

"God created reason, His truth and reason are gonna end up in the same place. We have an obligation as a public official to rigorously advance both. The intolerance of the secular left is a religion unto itself, it's just not a biblically based religion" - Rick Santorum

YES! SANTORUM SWEEPS ALABAMA AND MISSISSIPPI

Rick Santorum's wins tonight in Alabama and Mississippi, on the heels of wins in so many other battleground states in the American heartland, pose a serious dilemma to an establishment hellbent on foisting a weak and bleeding candidate on the Republican Party.  Do they really want to take responsibility for the debacle that would be a Romney candidacy?  Does it really help to have a candidate who would lose, but by respectable margins in New York, Massachusetts and California, or do they want to beat Barack Hussein Obama where it matters, in the heartland battleground states?

David has confronted Goliath and keeps on winning. Outspent 10 and 12 to 1, Rick Santorum keeps connecting with average Americans who desperately want to save America from a hellish nightmare of debt, dependency, depression and ruin.  It's time -- long past time -- for Gingrich and Romney supporters to recognize there is one conservative candidate, untainted by scandal, whose principled and consistent record offers a stark contrast to the thug regime.  For the sake of America and a free and prosperous future, it is time for Republicans to rally around the candidate who is clearly the people's choice.

A Family Produced Original Campaign Song for Rick Santorum - "Game On"

This great song was written by Oklahoma sisters Camille and Haley Harris and their parents, David and Cherri Harris, just in time for Rick Santorum's decisive win in Oklahoma.  The Harris' go the Santorum's one better.  There are eight children in the Harris family.  Their viral video posting on YouTube states:

"We believe in Santorum's character and his ability to boldly lead this country in the right direction. We Love Rick Santorum & His family!

A Super Night for Rick Santorum!

Rick Santorum had a great night last night with decisive wins in Tennessee, Oklahoma and North Dakota added to wins in Iowa, Missouri, Colorado and Minnesota.  That he lost Ohio by a hair, after being outspent 12 to 1 by his rival and independent pro Romney PACS, is not so much a loss by Santorum as another reminder that North and South, East and West, the broad mainstream of the Republican Party do not want the Massachusetts chameleon being foisted on us by the Republican establishment.

In every state except Massachusetts, there have been far more votes cast against the notorious flip-flopper, than for him.  And even in liberal Massachusetts many voters have misgivings about Romney's signature legislation, Romneycare, the forerunner to Obamacare.

It is time conservatives recognize there is only one viable, conservative alternative to the very weak and unappealing Massachusetts liberal.  Rick Santorum has demonstrated, again and again, a powerful connection with middle-Americans, independents, blue collar workers in those states which will determine the outcome of the November election.  Here in South Carolina, Mitt Romney connected with only one demographic -- those whose annual income exceeds $200,000.  His talk of $10,000 bets and multiple Cadillacs, and knowing all the venture capitalists who own and sponsor NASCAR, has done little to endear him to ordinary Americans.  Indeed, we believe he would be an even weaker candidate than the establishment's previous losers -- John McCain, Bob Dole and Gerald Ford.

The Republican nominating process has worked extremely well in exposing and ferreting out inadequate candidates.  It's now time for Republicans to vote strategically, to rally around the one principled, consistent, viable conservative remaining in the race, and ensure that Rick Santorum becomes the next President of the United States.  If you can help him financially, please do so here, but let us all pray for our country and ensure that this time the people nominate a man who knows to his core, the Office of the President must be of, by and for We the People.

Rick Santorum, Mitt Romney Neck and Neck in Ohio

From The Boston Globe

By Shira Schoenberg

 

Rick Santorum is narrowly leading Romney in the crucial Super Tuesday state of Ohio, according to a Suffolk University poll out this afternoon.

The poll found Santorum with 37 percent support among likely Republican primary voters in Ohio, followed by Romney with 33 percent. Former House speaker Newt Gingrich came in a distant third at 16 percent trailed by Texas Representative Ron Paul with 8 percent. Santorum’s lead was just within the poll’s 4.4 percent margin of error.

The former Pennsylvania senator was ahead of Romney by a large margin (17 points) among voters who cast early ballots, but his margin shrank to three points among those who have not yet voted.

Ohio, with its 66 delegates, is considered a top prize among the 10 states voting on Tuesday. Romney and Santorum have been hotly contesting the race. Santorum surged in the polls, overtaking the former Massachusetts governor, after his Feb. 7 victories in Colorado, Missouri, and Minnesota. But Romney has been going after Santorum aggressively in advertising and on the campaign trail and has been closing the gap.

According to the Suffolk poll, Santorum’s strength is in his ability to relate to voters. Thirty three percent said Santorum’s political beliefs were the closest to their own, compared to all the GOP candidates.

 But Romney, as he has been throughout the race, remains the strongest when it comes to electability. A full 44 percent of voters ranked Romney as the candidate with the best chance of beating Democratic President Obama. If Santorum becomes the nominee, 15 percent of Republican voters said they would either vote for Obama or a third party candidate. If Romney were the nominee, that number would drop to 10 percent.

Overall, the Suffolk poll found that voters are not happy with the Republican race. Half of respondents said they are not happy with the current crop of candidates, and 47 percent would like to see a new candidate enter the race.

The survey of 500 likely Ohio Republican primary voters was conducted March 3-4.

 

 

Rick Santorum's Message for America

Michigan is Santorum Country, but Congrats to Mitt for Winning Detroit

Mitt Romney's razor thin margin in his home state over Rick Santorum will yield him the same number of delegates as those won by Senator Santorum.

The latest, unofficial reports indicate that Romney and Santorum will each gain 15 delegates from Michigan.  That Romney with unlimited funding barely managed to defeat an underfunded challenger in his home state is not a victory.  It is a disaster for the Romney campaign and another red flag warning that Romney is a seriously unpopular and weak candidate.

If GOP conservatives  want to avoid nominating another "Less of the Same" establishment RINO, Super Tuesday may be their last chance.  A win for Santorum in Georgia and Ohio on Super Tuesday will mean that today's Rockefeller Republicans have finally lost their lock on the GOP.  Wins for Romney in Ohio and Gingrich in Georgia may ensure a joyless convention and a replay of 1976, 1992, 1996 and 2008.  

Newt has lost any possibility of being the Republican nominee.  It's time to rally to the last conservative standing.  Georgia, please don't waste your votes.

Ohio Poll: Santorum Up By 11 Points

Rick Santorum greets diners at the Rainbow Grill on Feb. 28, 2012 in Grandville, Mich. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

With Ohio looming as one of the next big presidential battlegrounds, a new poll finds that Rick Santorum has a significant lead over Mitt Romney in the Buckeye State. But the poll, released Tuesday, also concludes that Ohio is in play because nearly half the likely GOP primary voters say they could change their mind between now and the March 6 primary, when Ohio will be one of the largest states to vote on Super Tuesday.

Read the rest of this entry at The Wall Street Journal >> 

Poll: Santorum Best Against Obama in Swing States

From The Hill

By Christian Heinze

Here's a "Wow" poll that will simulate caffeine for your morning.

A new USA Today/Gallup poll of swing states shows Rick Santorum running strongest against Obama in swing states.

So strong that he leads Obama, 50%-45%. Mitt Romney also bests Obama by a slightly smaller 48%-46%.

Rev. Graham: Obama Seen as 'Son of Islam'

From US News on MSNBC.com

Rev. Franklin Graham, the son of evangelist Billy Graham and a prominent evangelical leader in his own right, waded into contentious waters Tuesday when asked for his views on the religious beliefs of President Obama and the GOP hopefuls.

Graham, the CEO and president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, told a Morning Joe panel he couldn't say for certain that Obama is a Christian.

“You have to ask him. I cannot answer that question for anybody. All I know is I’m a sinner, and that God has forgiven me of my sins," Graham said. "You have to ask every person. He has said he’s a Christian, so I just have to assume that he is.”

But Graham also said he couldn't "categorically" say Obama wasn't a Muslim, in part, because Islam has gotten a "free pass" under Obama. Graham also said the Muslim world sees Obama as a "son of Islam," because the president's father and grandfather were Muslim.

Santorum Is Endorsed for Nomination by Former Romney Supporter

From Bloomberg Business Week
By Lisa Lerer and Mark Niquette

Republican presidential candidate, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, accompanied by Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine leaves a news conference outside the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus Friday, where DeWine announced his support for Santorum.

Rick Santorum was endorsed in the Republican presidential race by Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine, another sign he is gaining ground on rival Mitt Romney.

Standing next to Santorum yesterday on the steps of the Ohio statehouse in Columbus, DeWine said he backed Romney last October because he thought the former Massachusetts governor was the best candidate to defeat President Barack Obama. DeWine said he no longer believes that after the campaign run by Romney, with support from an outside political action committee, Restore Our Future.

“To be elected president, you have to do more than tear down your opponent; you have to give the American people a reason to vote for you,” DeWine said. “Rick Santorum has done that. Sadly, Governor Romney has not.”

Santorum Continues to Lead in Newest Michigan Poll

From CNN

Mitt Romney may lay claim to home field advantage in Michigan, but according to a new poll released 12 days before the state's Republican primary, Rick Santorum is on top of the field in the race for the GOP presidential nomination.

According to a survey out Thursday by the Detroit News and CNN affiliate WDIV, 34% of likely Republican primary voters say they're backing Santorum, the former senator from Pennsylvania, with 30% supporting Romney, the former Massachusetts governor who's making his second bid for the White House. Santorum's four point margin is within the poll's sampling error.

Santorum Overtakes Romney in Ohio

Rick Santorum: Proving that in the heartland character counts more than money.

A Quinnipiac University poll published Wednesday shows that Rick Santorum has now taken the lead in the Buckeye State.

According to Quinnipiac, Senator Santorum now leads Romney 36% to 29%, with the imploding campaign of Newt Gingrich trailing a distant third with 20%. 

It must be hard to leave the field after all the money Mitt has spent marketing a carefully manufactured image.  Perhaps he and Newt can work together developing space colonies, because as Margaret Thatcher once observed, "you can't make a souffle rise twice.  Truth is the daughter of time and the GOP electorate in the heartland can't be bought and has sorted out the principled, consistent conservative from the phonies.