Santorum Laying The Ground Work For A Presidential Run In 2012

I think we can formally announce on PennPatriot Blog that former Pennsylvania Republican Senator Rick Santorum is planning on running for President in 2012. He has already visited Iowa once earlier this month. According to reports Santorum spoke to about 500 Evangelicals at a Des Moines church. In his speech to supporters Santorum emphasized his journey from being a new republican legislator who was afraid to openly voice his views abortion to eventually becoming one of our country's most outspoken pro life Senators. Click Here.

Now Santorum's Political Action Committee (PAC), America's Foundation, has announced that Santorum will be returning to Iowa to speak at a Pottawattamie County Republican Party event on Tuesday, March 30. All indications are that Santorum may be spending a lot of time in Iowa.

“I am thrilled to visit Council Bluffs to discuss the many critical issues -- health care, the economy and national security -- our country is facing. I look forward to sharing my views with local residents about how we can best tackle these challenges,” said former Senator Rick Santorum. Click Here.

There is no doubt that Santorum is using his America's Foundation (PAC) to build support and rally his conservative base. Much of the PAC's funds have been used in direct mailings or other campaign type expenses.

In the second half of 2009, according to federal filings, the PAC raised $710,000. Of that total, $557,000 was spent on direct mail and related expenditures -- building a nationwide base of donors and supporters for Mr. Santorum. Just $38,500 was donated to candidates or causes. (Post Gazette)

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It will be interesting to see how Santorum will be received by the Republican Conservative base considering he supported then Republican Senator, Arlen Specter over the more conservative candidate Pat Toomey in the 2004 Pennsylvania Senate Race. But one thing that Santorum has going for him is that he was hands down the most conservative U.S. Senator based on his career voting record.