As the day unfolds, Rick Santorum is sending mixed messages about his campaign intentions
Today, in an Associated Press article, Philip Elliot reports that the former Pennsylvania senator is on his way home. With only three days before the Florida primary, he has opted to go home and do his taxes. Santorum says he would rather spend his Saturday sitting at his kitchen table doing his taxes than campaigning in a state where the race for the Republican presidential nomination has become a two-man fight between Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney.
Though he won in the Iowa contest, Santorum has not had a victory since. New Hampshire went to Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich claimed South Carolina as a clear win. The latest Gallup Poll, published on Thursday, January 26 before last night’s debate, showed Gingrich with 32 percent of the vote and Romney with 24. Clearly, Santorum expects another loss, despite the fact that he did well in last night’s debate.
Some advisors have urged him to leave the state in anticipation of the loss and put his energy and resources elsewhere, but Santorum insisted today that he will return to Florida once he had his taxes ready for public release. "I'm coming back within 24 hours, and I'm here through up to election day. I've spent every minute here in Florida, and I'm going to work in Florida."
Just this morning, Santorum’s Facebook page posted an important new endorsement: Team Santorum ENDORSEMENT - Leading Florida conservative and State Representative Scott Plakon has endorsed Rick Santorum for President. Scott Plakon said: "Rick Santorum is a man who has consistently shown that he can be trusted to stand by his deeply held conservative principles regardless of the way the political winds blow and will be a steady, even hand in leading America towards prosperity and liberty again.
Despite endorsements from this and other quarters, such as the evangelicals, Santorum has not raised near the money of the other three candidates and acknowledges that fact. He hasn’t attracted the large crowds that the other candidates have drawn and he hasn’t been able to find the sound bite that could possibly help him gain momentum in Florida. "Other candidates tell you they need your help," Santorum told Florida Republicans this week. "They're lying. I really need your help."
But he wants to stay on message. At an event earlier this week he said, "We're going to talk about the Constitution and talk about being a strong conservative. And that's all we can do."
For the upcoming contests in Missouri, Minnesota, and Colorado, he already has fundraisers planned. He also has Arizona and Michigan in his sites for their primaries at the end of February. And while Santorum makes his plans, his advisors keep their eye on the checkbook. They claim they can continue with a lean campaign. "This race is just starting. It's a three-man race," Santorum insists. "We're going to be in this race for the long term."
So if you believe what Santorum says, he’s in it for the long-haul. If you believe his actions, they speak far louder than his words, and you begin to wonder if he’s lost his resolve. Then if you look at his campaign checkbook, you read still another story there. The long and short of it is that his words and his actions are somewhat out of sync, and in the end, time and money will both determine just how far Santorum can go in his bid for the White House.
Image Source: Wikipedia
Comment and add to the story without registration, but keep the comments meaningful please. Links are not accepted.
