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MIAMISBURG, OH -- On the eve of Super Tuesday, Rick Santorum is portraying himself as the the overachieving underdog who has fought for and sacrificed for every success of his candidacy.
"I come to the people of Ohio as a candidate who shouldn't be here, shouldn't be here if you looked at any political expert and you look at the money that's been spent and the air time that's been given," said Santorum. "But we're here for a reason."
In his first of three stops throughout the state today, the former Pennsylvania senator emphasized his blue collar roots and the tremendous financial disadvantages his campaign has faced versus rival Mitt Romney.
"I'm someone who's been out there delivering that message against all the odds, all of the odds. Outspent in every race I've run in, in every state. Outspent sometimes 6, 7, 8 to 1, as we are in the state of Ohio, as we were in the state of Michigan. By all rights, we shouldn't be in this race. If I had the opportunity to have a 6 to 1 spending advantage, given where we are in this race right now, this race wouldn't be close," he said.
Santorum's lead in Ohio, seen as the biggest prize of all the Super Tuesday states, has been dwindling in recent polls. The latest NBC News/Marist poll shows Santorum with the support of 34 percent of likely GOP primary voters, with Romney on his heels at 32 percent.
Santorum has been criticized for going off message in the days leading up to last Tuesday's Michigan primary, leading to speculation that his lack of focus cost him in the Wolverine State and has cut into his lead in Ohio.
But today, he largely shied away from talking about the social issues that have drawn most of the media scrutiny, and instead focused on the hardships he and his family has face during his quest for the White House.
"I walked away from all of the jobs that I had and all the money that I had. We're living basically spending down our savings. That's not necessarily the best thing to do when you have three kids heading into college in the next couple of years, but this country is worth it," he said.
It is Santorum's family history, as the grandson of a coal miner who grew up outside Pittsburgh, that has helped him resonate with Midwestern voters, and almost allowed him to challenge Romney in Michigan. Those were the points he pushed in his closing argument today.
"Growing up, having to fight for everything you got, is exactly the kind of person that we need to have...You got to earn it. You got to fight for America. And thats how you win this election," said Santorum.
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"We're here for a reason"
Because the heavyweight Republicans like Gov. Christie and Jeb Bush don't want to run against Barack Obama, and Mitt Romney's only base is the wealthiest 1%, and even they don't really like him.
Rick Santorum is a women hating, bigotted, 15th century Catholic who would not win a nomination race for dog catcher against Richard Nixon. He definitely is " a candidate who shouldn't be here " in Ohio or anywhere else. However, given how much the GOP hates women, the poor, the elderly and the middle class, I'm not at all surprised to see that he has a very good chance of winning enough delegates to be competitive for the nomination all the way to the convention.
How can Rick send his kids to college in the next few years? Won't it undermine their commitment to conservative principles? Does this make Rick a snob?
If any of you get a chance, go look at Chris Wallace's interview with Rick Santorum on Fox, yesterday. Wallace absolutely eviscerated Santorum. This is on FOX!
In case you missed it, one of the points Wallace put up on the screen was the charitable giving on the part of President Obama, Governor Romney, and Santorum. Fifteen for the President, 14 for Romney and Santorum's percentage of his income was 1.36%. Yes, you read that right - 1.36%. It was wonderful watching Santorum squirm. For a Christian kind of guy, he certainly lies a lot.
Wallace called him out on his "snob" remark. Well, Santorum couldn't say when or where, but doggone it, he's sure he read it somewhere. World Net Daily?
Yup, Santorum is the guy you can trust with the most powerful military capability in the world. He knows about world danger. He read it somewhere. Tom Clancy? The Hardy Boys? Yes, this is the man.
I wonder if Santorum's grown kids use birth control?
@David - Eviscerated seems almost kind - Wallace ran Santorum through the Ronco Veg-O-Matic. He sliced him up on No Child Left Behind and diced him up over his tax plan that blows up the national debt. But you are right, the real chop-chop came with his 'snob' comment and finally conceding he agreed with Obama. Would love to see an FR post dedicated to that 'hot pocket' topic.
You mean Romney dies his hair? Like that's a big surprise.
Having Rick Santorum for a father is probably the best birth control method they could have. I'd be surprised if those kids can even get a movie date, much less ... (oh, never mind).
Perhaps an even better question is whether his wife used birth control in those six years or so when she was fornicating and co-habitating with that abortion doctor. Or maybe even had an abortion.
I mean, she was obviously fertile Myrtle, other than in those years.
Wanna bet?
Santorum is emphasizing his roots? This from a guy who hangs by his heels when he sleeps?
Amy, how many republicans do you know who are not heavyweights - and who don't drive really big cars or who don't wish they did ?
Whoah! Do NOT trash talk my candidate!
I am recommending him to all of my conservative acquaintances to vote Santorum! Remember, he is the best thing since sliced bread!
I have many in the Buckeye state that will be casting their ballots Tuesday. Those I have encouraged to vote for Santorum have looked at me funny and questioned my sanity. I can't believe their issue with him. They have a lot of animosity towards a guy that supported Sonya for Supreme Court. I explained that they still had plenty enough conservative justices but they still hold a grudge, go figure.
I am definitely cheering Santorum on. And please don't accuse me of dirty politics.
I hate getting blamed for anything I do.
"I come to the people of Ohio as a candidate who shouldn't be here"
Yes that is exactly what I was thinking Rick.
So tell us Ricky, why did you put your family in jeopardy to run a mismanaged and failed campaign for a position you can't possibly fill. It sounds like you want us to throw you a pity party for your loss of income and your kids that will be uneducated. At least they won't grow up to be 'snobs', like daddy-dearest.
By the way, when you end up on food stamps and welfare, will you also blame that on Obama?
Sarah Palin is doing just fine, and you will too, Rick.
Three kids headed to college? What a snob. Back to the monastery Brother Rick.
College? He's sending not only one child, but three? Why that elitist bastahd! *laughing* Wow, irony so damned thick you could cut it with a knife. And two-faced enough to give himself mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
What's he looking for... the PITY vote? He's obviously not good at money management. And he wants us to trust him with OUR money? roflmao
"I walked away from all of the jobs that I had and all the money that I had. We're living basically spending down our savings. That's not necessarily the best thing to do when you have three kids heading into college in the next couple of years, but this country is worth it,"
Your family is sacrificing all these and you went wayward? You think going gaga on women using contraceptive
and telling all how you'll let the Pope run WH will help you land the job?You've got a lot to explain, in my view, to your family. Americans don't need a wayward President.
He did not walk away from anything! He was sent packing when he lost his senate re-election campaign, and he lost by a huge margin. He was living on taxpayers money, and enjoying his taxpayer paid health care benefits, he just thinks it is wrong for others to receive any benefits from the government. I love how these republican politicians rail against what your private health insurance should and should not pay for, all the while they have a Rolls Royce health care package and retirement plan provided to them solely at the taxpayers expense.
Memories are short with some folks. Once rich they really forget what it is like to be poor or middle class.
Now, I actually hope Rick wins in Ohio so the fight can continue. I love the smell of Republicans burning each other, and the sight of them spending all that cash that would be used in November.
So do you want a pity party, Rick or what? People don't donate to known losers. That may be why the other guy has more money to spend against you.
What a mess. But keep it up, boys, the Dems continue to build their war chest and support for November.
Rick going off message may be a good thing for America. If people know what you really believe they will rush to the polls to vote for someone else.
Obama/Biden 2012
Nobody handed President Obama or VP Biden anything---that is another reason why they are doing such a good job.
Ref. CNN article: “income goes up ... especially for the rich”.
It is amazing that with these statistics constantly demonstrating the drastic imbalance caused by the concentration on benefiting "the few" and ignoring, even greatly costing, the majority, including the total middle-class, that there is any doubt, any lack of recognition that there is an aggressive effort going on to keep pushing this country into being a two-class society with "the few", "the money" then competing in having it all while the majority continues to 'pay the price" and keeps loosing. The Democrats are far from "all pure and holy" but the Republican / Tea Party is literally bought and owned by "the money" and just serves as "puppets" in stubbornly and arrogantly pursuing only their political ambitions (and own greed) by concentrating on the interests of "the few" for their strong support, including for the abundant finances, influence and power used to con the people and manipulate public opinion.
It has been said that the current Republican Party is incapable of honestly and responsibly governing and throughout the last twelve years they have totally substantiated that. The pity is whenever the people are conned by the appeals to their biases and emotions and they are then manipulated and used to their own disadvantage. It would be nice to have more "centrists / moderates" to choose from but we are even loosing them (like Stowe) because of the frustration they experience and the aggressive pressures on them (from Norquist, Cheney, Rove,,,) to squelch their individual consciences and to force total unity to firmly support the limited interests of "the few". If the people don't wake up and see the reality, we may just be returned to "more of the same", Bush-Cheney style, with the majority continuing to loose. The only way to regain a GOP sincerely interested in the people is to totally reject what they have become, to reject their propaganda used to sway and control the people as "pawns", to become insulted for being taken for granted and to firmly reject the "puppet" politicians.
Santorum is a snob. He wants to send his three kids to college. He is such a snob.
I agree with Santorum: He shouldn't be there! Go away Rick!
"Roots"......yeah sure.....get real Santorum, get a real life!
We need jobs and good paying jobs!
Come on OHIO! "It's Time you show America"
" Vote Mitt Romney " .....for job creation.....and with job creation come better financial times for "All Americans"
Yes! I said "ALL AMERICANS"........No middle, lower or higher class, just "TRUE AMERICANS" living together and all pulling in the right direction!
And I thought Santorum was always wrong - I owe him an apology - he was right when he said. ""I come to the people of Ohio as a candidate who shouldn't be here." That is fantastic, Rick, good insight; now act on that new-found truth - get out and take your fundamentalist philosophy with you.
A word to my Jewish American Friends....."You voted for Barack Obama's "HOPE and CHANGE" in 2008" and millions of Americans have received nothing but "DESPAIR and PAIN".
So ask yourself this question! "Why should I vote for a man who makes promise after promise and then does what ever he pleases?" (until it's time for "his" reelection).
A second presidential term will give Barack H. Obama a "Free Hand" on the throttle of America's debt and he will continue to pilot this "Great Country" into never ending debt and turmoil.
"FOOL ME ONCE, SHAME ON YOU"...."FOOL ME TWICE, SHAME ON ME"
I think your savant CIC said it much better...
Come On All You Super Tuesday States!
Get behind "Mitt Romney" and let's move America forward!
Listen to Rush and all the GOP & Teabaggerss Its all about the Wealthy getting richer and the middle class getting poorer.....They don't want to help the poor, I do mean the poor not the lazy good for nothings...Who are the one's that leach off the taxpayer. The Wealthy: they get welfare both for themselves an for the Corps. So really All party are at fault...But it seems that the Wealthy get away with it like the.(.Democrat )...They steal billions and the few poor steals a few thousands. So what does the GOP want, is Screw the MIddle Class to get even with the few. As I say its the me me me and F everyone else.... The failures of the Republicans party trying to take away SS & Medicare & Health care for Woman so they can give their wealthy Blackmailers more money...To hell with the Poor and Needy. Let them freeze in the winter and stave the Old and Babies,let them die from bad water, do away with the EPA and thats what you'll have, just like all you Teabaggers want...You make me sick with your Me Me Me altitude. It just a matter of time before the masses raise up against you . Greedy and you all call yourself Christians, Christains. What a laugh: Your no better than the Muslims you all hate. Wake up America!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!WAKE UP!!! Dope head go get some more Oxy
Santorum has to see that he totally screwed up by going after women's rights to health care, which is the real issue he tried to disguise as religious freedom. But then didn't all of the right wing jump on that band wagon? The right wing is in trouble. Women are not going to vote for any Republican now. And women have a lot of clout when you consider their votes are prime.
Yeah, Santorum really did a good job of alienating women, didn't he? What an embarrassment.
Santorum is the anti-Christ!
Since we all have a common ancestor - need some fundamentalist christian logic here, Adam - and since at least someone has endorsed Santorum, we are all related to someone who has endorsed Rick. By extension, everyone has a relative who has endorsed Romney. And Ron Paul . . . And, of course, everyone is actually related to the President, Barack Obama. Praise the lord . . .