Santorum has friends in Pennsylvania

Politico is reporting that several high profile Pennsylvania Republicans have endorsed former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum's candidacy for President. According to the article 15 state lawmakers plan to support Santorum over the rest of the Republican Primary field.

Santorum's recent trip to Pennsylvania has seemed to reconnected him with his conservative roots while helping raise some much needed cash for his campaign for President. In a statement Santorum seemed to gain some confidence after the trip.

“I am honored to have the support of this esteemed group of Pennsylvania leaders, from Tea Party legislators to Party Leadership, who know firsthand that our campaign has the record of electoral and legislative success in Pennsylvania and is best positioned to defeat President Obama,” Santorum will say in a statement. “They understand that our nation is at a crossroads and that it is time for proven leadership, not showmanship in the White House. I have worked with these fine people and they know my record of consistent conservative results. Read more.

I have to say, when you think Santorum doesn't have a chance then more chips continue to fall into place for his candidacy. I just can't count out the Bulldog just yet.

The big GOP names throwing their support behind Santorum give his candidacy much needed credibility here in Pennsylvania. They include state Senate President Pro Temp, Joseph Scarnati, and the state appropriations chairman, Senator Jake Corman. Corman used to be a Santorum aide.

Perhaps the most surprising and most important endorsement is that of State Senator John Eichelberger. Eichelberger is a leader in the Pennsylvania conservative movement who steadfastly supported Pat Toomey over then Senator Arlen Specter in the 2004 Senate Race. Needless to say Eichelberger didn't see eye to eye with Santorum who supported Specter at the time. Then Eichelberger went on to defeat longtime President Pro Temp Robert Jubelirer after the pay raise debacle in 2005. Since his victory in 2006, Eichelberger has been propelled onto the state conservative scene here in Pennsylvania.

Senator Eichelberger's support alone reveals that Santorum's candidacy not only has legs but also shows that Santorum can combine both the Tea Party wing of the GOP with establishment party leaders.If Santorum can do it here in Pennsylvania he sure can accomplish the same strategy in other more conservative states.

I wouldn't be surprised if you see Santorum continuing to gain momentum here in the fall.

More: Pennsylvania leaders line up behind Santorum