Santorum huddles with former aides to talk 2012
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/04/16/art.santorum.file.gi.jpg caption ="Former Sen. Rick Santorum met privately last week with several of his former Capitol Hill staffers to pitch the idea of a presidential bid in 2012."]Washington (CNN) - As if the repeated trips to Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina weren't clues enough, former Republican Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania met privately last week with several of his former Capitol Hill staffers to pitch the idea of a presidential bid in 2012.
According to GOP sources familiar with the meeting, which took place last Tuesday in Washington, Santorum conveyed his seriousness about a possible campaign and solicited his former aides for advice.
Though the 2012 Republican field has yet to take shape, Santorum, who lost his 2006 re-election bid by 18 points, would enter the race as a decided underdog against better-funded opponents with growing national political operations, such as former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty.
Still, Santorum has a built-in following among social conservatives thanks in part to his staunch opposition to abortion rights, support that could pay dividends in a Republican primary. During the most recent fundraising quarter, he also collected more money for his political action committee than Mike Huckabee, the winner of the 2008 Iowa caucuses and another potential 2012 candidate.
Santorum received a warm welcome from conservative audiences in Iowa in recent months, stories he relayed to his former aides during last Tuesday's gathering.
John Brabender, an adviser to Santorum, confirmed that the meeting took place. "He told them he is actively considering [a presidential bid] by traveling to early primary states and talking with conservative leaders," Brabender told CNN.
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Who is he ?
I can't believe it The Holy of Holies is actually going to come down from the cross long enough to run for President?
Haaaaaaaa Haaaaa Haaaaaaa Haaa Ha!! OMG, OMG Please.....I'm gonna wet myself...Please!!!!!...........
give it up, creep! the U.S. has evolved beyond you....we hope!
Rick is a joke and one of the politicians that should just go away. He has no chance of becoming President, all he can do is put his homophobic views out front to disgrace us all.
better check with russ limbum first
Save your time and money. Obama has another 4 years left! The people are still with him despite the republican "surge."
Too many possibilities, not enough real potential. That sums up the Republican candidate situation right now. Who are these guys? What do they stand for? What alternatives do they present to an Obama rerun?
Only Palin and Gingrich and Romney are well-known and maybe not that well-liked. The Republicans need to find someone with stature, recognition, experience and respect to win against Obama, no matter how bad a lot of us think he is. Find a real candidate, please.
The Republicans who are paving the way for the next presidential election first should come up with ideas to fix the economy instead of bening always blaming the Democrats for the problems. How can they be so absent minded and forget who put us in this spot we are in today. They are quick to pull the trigger but they have always missed target. What makes them think that as senators, house members, governors etc, have not helped in shaping the economy, but if the become president they have the magic number to fix the economy. They ought think this great country belongs to all of us irregardless of political affiliations. there is a saying That God gave us two ears and one mouth so we can hear more. the Republicans have made it a habit to speak before listening.