2012 Presidential Campaign Blog

Rick Santorum To Make 14th Trip To Iowa May 20-21, 2011

Rick Santorum to Make 14th Trip to Iowa

Verona, PA - Former Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) will visit Iowa for the 14th time this Friday and Saturday, May 20th and 21st.  Details of Senator Santorum's open press events are listed below:

Friday, May 20th:

12:00pm CT: Senator Santorum will have lunch with local activists at the Thunder Bay Grill in Davenport, IA.

Location:

Thunder Bay Grill
6511 North Brady Street
Davenport, IA
 
 6:00pm CT: Senator Santorum will attend a "Presidential Pool Party" at the home of Luana Stoltenberg.

Location:

Stoltenberg Home
4767 Belle Avenue
Davenport, IA

Saturday, May 21st

10:30am CT: Senator Santorum will meet with Jones County Republican Leaders and Activists.

Location:

109 South Linn Street
Anamosa, IA

1:00pm CT: Senator Santorum will be the featured guest at a house party hosted by John & Ellen Markham.

Location:

Home of John & Ellen Markham
1724 Geraldine Drive
Dubuque, IA

6:30pm CT: Senator Santorum will be the featured guest at a meet-and-greet at Ferrari's Ristorante Private Dining Room in Cedar Falls.

Location:

Ferrari's Ristorante Private Dining Room
1521 Technology Parkway
Cedar Falls, IA

Santorum Comments On Governor Huckabee's Decision To Not Run For President

Santorum Comments on Governor Huckabee's Decision to Not Run for President
 
Verona, PA - Former Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) made the following statement regarding Governor Mike Huckabee's announcement that he will not run for President in 2012:

"I have long admired Governor Huckabee and his commitment to talking about the critical issues facing America.  Those of us who believe in the virtues and values of life and family can never have enough allies, and I am grateful to Governor Huckabee for helping to keep those issues front and center.  As some in our party seek to form a 'truce' on social issues, I look forward to a dialogue with Governor Huckabee and his supporters to talk of our shared commitment to fight for traditional values and the rights granted to us by our forefathers. Finally, I was particularly moved by his honesty in revealing the reason for his decision.  He above all prayerfully sought God's will for his life."

Santorum Statement On Nation's Rising Unemployment Rate

Santorum Statement on Nation's Rising Unemployment Rate
 
Columbia, SC - Former Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) issued the following statement regarding this morning's release of monthly employment data:

"After two and a half years of President Obama's failed big government agenda, we learned today that unemployment is again on the rise - now at an unacceptable 9%.  Rather than continuing down the failed path of intrusive stimulus and mandates that have done nothing but explode our deficit, we need to reduce the tax and regulatory burdens that are hindering individual freedom, and allow the American entrepreneur to flourish on their own merits rather than having the government pick and choose who wins and who loses.  That is the tried and true prescription for economic growth, and it is time for the President to believe in the American people again."

Statement From Rick Santorum On First Republican Presidential Debate, Greenville, South Carolina

Santorum Delivers Impressive Performance in First Presidential Debate
Santorum: "It's not just checking the boxes.  It's having the courage to lead."
 
Greenville, SC - At tonight's first Republican presidential debate, former Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) demonstrated a strong understanding and clear command of the vast complex issues facing our country while laying out a passionate vision for moving America forward.

"At a time when our country faces some of the most serious challenges in generations, Senator Santorum demonstrated his understanding of issues at every level - from national security, to social issues to our economic challenges.  Senator Santorum also reminded viewers that of all the potential candidates, he is the only one with not just a voting record, but also with the arrows in his back to show he has been out there fighting the tough fights on the many controversial issues that others are unwilling to address.  Senator Santorum summarized it best when he said 'Its not just checking the boxes.  Its having the courage to lead,'" said John Brabender, a senior advisor to Senator Santorum.

"From his articulation of our foreign policy challenges to discussing why Obamacare must be repealed and to defending the unborn and the traditional family, Senator Santorum delivered an impressive performance about how we can best move our country forward," Brabender concluded.

Santorum Heads To South Carolina For 15th Visit; Will Participate In Fox News-SCGOP Presidential Debate

Santorum Heads to South Carolina for 15th Visit; Will Participate in Fox News-SCGOP Presidential Debate
 
Verona, PA - Former Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) will visit South Carolina this week for his 15th visit.  In addition to participating in the Fox News - SCGOP debate on Thursday, Senator Santorum will attend several other events.  Senator Santorum's wife, Karen, will also deliver remarks at the First in the South Presidential Primary Debate Lunch.  Details of all open press events are listed below:

Thursday, May 5, 2011:

7:45 AM ET - Senator Santorum will attend a meet and greet breakfast at Tommy's Country Ham House in Greenville.

Location:

Tommy's Country Ham House
214 Rutherford St
Greenville, SC

12:00 Noon ET - Karen Santorum will deliver remarks at the "First in the South Presidential Primary Debate Lunch" hosted by the South Carolina Federation of Republican Women.

Location:

The Poinsett Club
807 East Washington Street
Greenville, SC

9:00 PM ET - Senator Santorum will participate in the First in the South Republican Presidential Debate hosted by Fox News and the South Carolina Republican Party.

Location:

Peace Center
300 South Main Street
Greenville, SC

**To be broadcast live on Fox News Channel.

10:40 PM ET (approximately) - Senator Santorum will appear on Hannity on Fox News Channel following the debate. 

Friday, May 6, 2011:

6:00 AM - 9:00 AM ET - Senator Santorum will guest host Bill Bennett's Morning in America radio program from Greenville, SC.  Listen live at www.wntp.com.

12:00 Noon ET - Senator Santorum will host a town hall luncheon in Aiken.  This event is free and open to the public.

Location:

Bowery West Side Restaurant
151 Bee Lane
Aiken, SC

7:00 PM ET - Senator Santorum will give remarks at the South Carolina Republican Party's 44th Annual Silver Elephant Banquet.

Location:

Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center
1101 Lincoln Street
Columbia, SC

Saturday, May 7, 2011:

10:00 AM ET - Senator Santorum will meet and greet attendees at the South Carolina Republican Convention in Columbia.

Location:

Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center
1101 Lincoln Street
Columbia, SC

Rick Santorum Establishes Presidential Exploratory Committee With FEC, Will Participate In Fox News-SCGOP Debate On Thursday

Santorum Establishes Presidential Exploratory Committee with FEC
Will Participate in Fox News-SCGOP Debate on Thursday
 
Verona, PA - Former Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) announced today during an appearance on Sean Hannity's radio show that he has established a presidential exploratory committee with the Federal Election Commission, and has met all criteria required to participate in the debate sponsored by Fox News and the South Carolina Republican Party scheduled for this Thursday. 
 
"I am pleased that we have taken this important next step in the process to potentially become a candidate for President of the United States.  The debate this Thursday is a unique opportunity to put forth ideas and solutions to bring our economy back on track, and with Osama bin Laden's death, I look forward to also discussing in depth ways to tackle our many national security challenges," said Senator Santorum.
.

Rick Santorum On Sean Hannity's Radio Show Today At 4:35 PM EDT To Discuss SC Debate And Potential Candidacy

Santorum on Sean Hannity's Radio Show Today at 4:35 PM ET
 
Former Senator Rick Santorum will be a guest on Sean Hannity's radio show today at 4:35 PM ET.  He will give reaction to Osama bin Laden's death and discuss our foreign policy challenges in light of his death.  He will also discuss his potential candidacy and his plans regarding Thursday's debate sponsored by Fox News and the South Carolina Republican Party

Rick Santorum Statement on Death of Osama bin Laden

Santorum Statement on Death of Osama bin Laden

Verona, PA - Former Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) issued the following statement regarding the announcement that 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden has been killed:

"This is extraordinary news for all freedom loving people of the world, and I commend all those involved for this historic triumph.  Americans have waited nearly ten years for the news of Osama bin Laden's death.  And while this is a very significant objective that cannot be minimized, the threat from Jihadism does not die with bin Laden. As we were vigilant in taking him out we need to demonstrate we will continue to be vigilant until the enemy has been subdued."

Rick Santorum To Make 13th Trip To Iowa On Monday, May 2, 2011

Santorum to Make 13th Trip to Iowa on Monday       
 
Verona, PA - Former Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) will make his 13th trip to Iowa on Monday, May 2.  He will make three stops as the featured speaker of the Iowa Family Leader's presidential lecture series.


Stop #1: University of Iowa in Iowa City

9:00 AM CT - Senator Santorum will deliver remarks to attendees.

Location:

University of Iowa
Memorial Union ballroom
125 N. Madison St.
Iowa City, IA

Stop #2: Pella Christian High School in Pella

12:30 PM CT - Senator Santorum will deliver remarks to attendees.

Location:

Pella Christian High School
300 Eagle Lane
Pella, IA

Stop #3: Dordt College in Sioux Center

4:30 PM CT - Senator Santorum will deliver remarks to attendees.

Location:

Dordt College
Campus Center
498 4th Ave. NE
Sioux Center, IA

Santorum Announces Nick Pappas As NH Field Director, Mike Biundo As National Political Director

Santorum Announces Nick Pappas as NH Field Director
Mike Biundo to Serve as National Political Director
 
Verona, PA - Former Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) announced today that Manchester native Nick Pappas will join his testing the waters effort as New Hampshire Field Director.  In this role, Nick will focus on building grassroots support for Senator Santorum, coalition outreach and working to secure support of elected officials.  Senator Santorum also announced today that Mike Biundo, who previously served as New Hampshire State Director for Senator Santorum's PAC, has been elevated to National Political Director for the testing the waters effort. 

Nick most recently served as the Hillsborough County Field Director with the New Hampshire State Republican Party.  He also worked for Governor Mike Huckabee's presidential run in 2008 and numerous other state and local races in New Hampshire.  Nick has had extensive experience with Get-Out-The-Vote activities, volunteer recruitment, and voter identification during his years involved in campaigns. 

Mike Biundo has extensive experience in building organizations and winning tough races. Mike has served as a senior advisor, campaign manager and grassroots director to numerous campaigns and issue advocacy groups, including Congressman Frank Guinta's 2010 victory over incumbent Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter.  He also played a senior role in several presidential campaigns including Patrick Buchanan's win in New Hampshire in 1996.  In a tough year for Republicans, Mike was instrumental in directing Guinta's 2005 upset for mayor of Manchester and then again when Guinta ran for re-election in 2007.

"I am pleased to announce that Nick is joining our team and that Mike will serve in this critical new role," said Senator Santorum.  "As I continue on this journey, I look forward to working closely with Mike and Nick to build grassroots support in New Hampshire and across the country."