[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/09/29/art.santorum0929.gi.jpg caption="Former Sen. Santorum, pictured here in a 2006 file photo, is headed to Iowa Thursday."]
WASHINGTON (CNN) – Former Sen. Rick Santorum will make a foray into 2012 campaign territory Thursday, when the Pennsylvania Republican heads to Iowa to deliver a sharp critique of President Obama's first nine months in office.
Santorum acknowledged interest in a possible presidential run in a Tuesday conference call with reporters, but he emphasized that his visit to the Midwest political proving ground of Iowa does not mean he is a certain candidate for the Republican nomination. Instead, Santorum said that he is using this opportunity to raise his national profile, and noted he will speak out on issues that he thinks the GOP has failed to effectively address, such as health care.
The former senator credited talk radio with helping the conservative movement regain its momentum, but added that at times it has been "pretty shrill." Santorum said it is now time for Republican leaders to start promoting solutions and policies to counter Obama's legislative agenda. And the former senator said he plans to step up and begin talking about his vision for the future.
While Santorum lost his re-election in 2006, he is still well regarded in Republican circles, particularly among social conservatives.
I think it would make for an interesting primary.
He's pretty conservative, but a very good speaker.
I used to enjoy watching him give speeches in the Senate.
Lot of hate filled comments in here like usual, lol.
LOL everyone should google the word santorum, it is VERY educational!!
ANd really? you think if he runs every child in america won't learn about the other meaning of santorum?
This ignorant, bigotted homophobe should just go hide.
Another loser ad moron. Who helped Bush destroy this nation..
Gosh, another pathetic person who used his family as political props...(his wife delivered a baby knowing that it wouldn't survive) and yes, their faces were all over the news telling their story. If someone does good, I believe the Bible says something about not letting one hand see what the other does....I don't think that Christ meant for Christians to go around saying "Hey, look at me....I'm a really good Christian...." It's time they start living it and stop talking it.
Good luck Rick, you were ousted in PA....you know the state that has more right-wing hate groups than any other.
Oh puh-leeze, Rick. Tell the nice people in the rest of the country how poorly your served Pennsylvania, lived in another state and kept a vacant home in PA as your primary residence??!! Also, you were voted out of office by the good and smart people of Pennsylvania, so what makes you think you would be welcome in Washington??. Sombody is feeding you a bunch of malarky if you think you have a chance. Just do us a favor and stay home (wherever that is), please!
if rick santorumis elected president, I will retire in another country
Another Republican nut case!
WHO??? Where in the heck did he come from??? How come every lilving soul on the RIGHT SIDE (but wrong side) thinks they can just step up and BEAT a president that over 62 million people elected into office??? Especially people you never heard of!!!!
GET REAL!!!
Rick who?? Oh, the GOP flavor of the week? that Rick? Ok, I gotcha.
Yet another Republican moron. I actually think this guy is too conservative for the GOP to actually consider. They should look at Mitch Daniels.
But I will be for Obama/Biden 2012
Bring it on, lil Ricky whacko! We'd love to knock you off your high horse again.
Say no to him!
He is bad news!
Obama 2012!!
Rick Santorum
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
You have got to be kidding!!!!
What vision. Another dumb repo worried about running for office while the American publi waits for some one to help with medical reform and getting people back to work. And education. I guess the president is all on his own while these clowns jocky for political office.