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Rick Santorum 2016 Presidential Campaign

Santorum comfortable with poll numbers ahead of Iowa caucus

Kim Norvell
The Des Moines Register
Rick Santorum gestures on stage during the undercard debate in Las Vegas on Dec. 15, 2015.

Former senator Rick Santorum says he’s still in a good position to win the Iowa caucuses on Feb. 1.

The Republican presidential candidate met with potential Des Moines caucusgoers on Tuesday night in Waukee at the home of the candidate’s county field representative. He addressed the “elephant in the room” right off the bat — his low polling numbers.

According to the latest Des Moines Register/Bloomberg Politics Iowa Poll, Santorum sits at 1% in Iowa. Reflecting back on his victory in 2012, Santorum said he was at 3% until 12 to 15 days before he won the first-in-the-nation vote.

He attributes the low numbers to undecided voters who are still “sorting through” 11 options for the Republican nominee. It was the same in 2012, he said, but with fewer candidates — meaning it may take voters longer than normal to decide who they will caucus for.

“I’m counting on Iowa to do what they did four years ago. And that is lead, not follow,” Santorum said. “That is, don’t settle for a candidate that somebody says can win because they’re high in the polls or they have a lot of money or endorsements or whatever. Do what you think is right for the country.”

Prep for the polls: See who is running for president and compare where they stand on key issues in our Voter Guide

Santorum said voters need to look for a candidate who has consistently proven fundamental values of the Republican Party. He said he believes Iowans relate to his campaign because he addresses the American worker — not just the business owner. Santorum said he will work to increase manufacturing and trade to “create wealth” for working Americans.

“I think that’s the difference maker,” he said.

Bill Brown, a Des Moines attorney who hosted Tuesday’s event along with his wife, Patti, said he likes Santorum’s position on reinvigorating manufacturing, his stance on traditional marriage and his experience with foreign policy.

“He’s convinced that the way to middle class renewal and good jobs is going to be a reinvigoration of manufacturing,” Brown said. “And that entails policies that are friendly to manufacturing rather than driving them away to China and elsewhere.”

USA TODAY's 2016 Presidential Poll Tracker

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