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| Rick Santorum |
This grassroots strategy has paid off on Tuesday: Santorum landed in the area code in Iowa, only eight votes behind the favored ex-Governor Mitt Romney in second place.
Only in recent days, the coup of the former senator from Pennsylvania, had signed when he suddenly appeared within reach of Romney in the polls. With his campaign bus cruised Santorum in recent months in all 99 counties of the rural state, and thereby completed more than 380 campaign events. "I have not done in Iowa Speed Dating," the 53-year-old boasted on one of his last appearances before the election in the small town of Newton. "We took our time."
Family, faith and freedom - these are the buzzwords, has been under the Santorum his application. A devout Catholic, served with his strict rejection of abortion and gay marriage, especially the concerns of the religious right. Even he refuses contraception personally, but they do not want to get it banned. As Santorum on Tuesday evening before his cheering supporters joined, he first thanked his wife, Karen, and then directly to the Lord. "I've survived so far thanks to the daily challenges of the grace of God," said the seven-time father.
Like the other candidates for the Republican presidential candidacy Santorum puts his economic policy emphasis on reducing taxes and radical cuts in government spending. "Free markets, free people, free enterprise, the pursuit of happiness" are the principles that the U.S. had made it a shining example to the world, he said a few days ago during a show in Iowa.
Originating from an Italian immigrant family Santorum studied law and worked as a lawyer in Pittsburgh. Besides, he was active politically for the Republicans. In 1990 he moved with 32 years for an electoral district in Pennsylvania in the House of Representatives. From 1995 to 2007 he was for two terms in the Senate in Washington. After his failed re-election Santorum worked among others as a commentator for the conservative news channel Fox News.
In nationwide surveys on the race for the Republican nomination Santorum stood, according to the website realclearpolitics.com last on average just 4.2 percent. His strong showing in Iowa could give him in the coming weeks, while a boost, but even party colleagues call into question the eligibility of Santorum. In the battle against President Barack Obama, it is feared, could not consist of the polarizing ex-senator. Santorum countered these concerns in his speech on Tuesday evening: "What wins in America, bold ideas and sharp contrasts."
