Note: Watch "Starting Point" with Soledad O'Brien weekdays from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. ET on CNN and check back here as she files reports from New Hampshire.
Manchester, New Hampshire (CNN) – Heather Javalgi came to hear Rick Santorum with her son and came away impressed by his stand on the economy. Her husband is a high school math teacher and she is a stay at home mom. She feels if she can be conservative with her money then so can the government.
She made the choice to stay home with her children and knew she would sacrifice "a new TV or a car." She feels like she can do that too and not rely on entitlements – a theme Santorum laced through part of his speech.
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She worries about her father and his Social Security but feels like he will also get by with the support of his family. "You have to make choices if you want solutions. Yah, it hurts a little," she said. "I hope it doesn't sound callous but I do think this is about choices."
She told me she is not sure she will support Santorum because she thinks Newt Gingrich is a smart man and Rick Perry is appealing. But the event at an old train station, where Santorum lingered answering questions for hours, really changed her perspective.
Also see:
DNC highlights old Romney-McCain tension
Gingrich hones message in New Hampshire
Santorum raises more than $1 million in one night
Perry will 'reset the campaign' in South Carolina, adviser says
From CNN Politics
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There are some people that can't afford to be tight with money because of the need to pay the rent, for food and other things. Some people just can't make ends meet with the low skilled jobs; not making enough to cover the basics and classes to improve to get the better job. It is nice in an idealized world, but this isn't it.
Has she read any of his stances or looked at his voting record? There is more to an candidate than a speech. Paul sounds good when talking- there is logic and common sense. Then you read what he actually stands for and the man is downright scary. Santorum is no different.
I guess Rick Santorum feels that only 'BLACK" folks are on Welfare, it's not the word "Black" that is the issue but for him to single out this race is just wrong, there are many races that are struggling period. For this stay home mom kudos for her to have the LUXURY to be able to stay home but for her to say she knows she won't be able to buy a new TV or car is a huge sacrifice is so wrong and she should not be proud to say that since so many Americans can barely buy food and keep a roof over their heads and they yes live in their cars.
Santorum has two major weak spots when he speaks. Economics and foreign policy. His comfort zone is speaking about social issues. He recites the typical talking points on economics and foreign policy. He has yet to display original thought in either area. His "tax plan" isn't well thought out. It is just another deficit explosion waiting to happen.
@ S.B. Stein E.B. NJ – Vote for a Republican – and you will find out that you will find out about how tight money is.
Yesterday Rick Santorum supporters are popping up in Tennessee. First time people are talking about Rick Santorum
Look like next to Ron Paul Rick Santorum impressing more people in south
Santorum is NOT a fiscal conservative !
"Soledad Reports: Santorum leaves impression"
Also leaves stains.
"She feels if she can be conservative with her money then so can the government. "
Yes, because there's absolutely zero objective difference between running a gov't for 310M people and running a household for 3. No difference whatsoever.
Did he say BLACK people on welfare. I think she wanted to hear him say black people.
These Soledad bits are pure garbage, and add nothing of value to our political discourse. Two thumbs down.
I would suggest that Soledad ask Ms. Javalgi whether her parents collect Social Security or have part of their healthcare covered by Medicare. I would suggest that she ask if she would support government cutbacks if it meant that her husband – presumably an employee of a public school – lost his job. I would suggest that she ask her whether she drove on a publicly constructed and maintained highway on her way to the rally and whether she'd be willing to allow these to stop being maintained. C'mon, Soledad....be the kind of journalist we know you can be!