Santorum predicts last-minute surge
Johnson, Iowa (CNN) - Although recent polls of Iowa show former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum far behind the front-runners, Friday he delivered a message for those who doubt his chances in the nation's first caucus state: "Timing is everything in life and timing is everything in politics."
During a press conference to announce an endorsement from Iowa Secretary of State Matt Schultz, Santorum said that Friday was "the best day of the campaign."
"People have asked me, 'Why haven't you started to catch on?'" Santorum said. "I say you haven't been in Iowa for the last week or so, because we are definitely picking up momentum here in the state of Iowa and frankly across this country."
Santorum – who often brags about having visited all 99 counties in Iowa – has made the Hawkeye State a central part of his campaign, but has yet to see many rewards for his efforts. During his introduction of Schultz, Santorum lamented that Iowans "take their time to make these decisions," but he was optimistic in his predictions for the coming weeks.
"We think the timing is going to be just perfect for us to be able to catch that wave at the right time as people start to make their decisions," Santorum said.
Schultz agreed that Santorum shouldn't pay too much attention to his flagging poll numbers.
"I tend to like the underdog, and slow and steady wins the race," Schultz said of the contest in his state. "Sen. Santorum is a strong conservative and that's what really brings me to want be here and be beside him."
When asked why he decided to endorse Santorum this year after endorsing Mitt Romney during the 2008 GOP primary, Schultz said that he'd only come to his decision after having conversations with all of the other candidates.
"These are different times, different candidates and different issues," Schultz said. "And to be honest with you, this is really not a reflection on any other candidate in the race. This is a reflection on who Rick Santorum is. Like I said before, there are things I like about every candidate. I've evaluated them each individually just like I did in 2008 and I've come to the conclusion that Rick Santorum should be our president."
At a time when most of Iowa's statewide elected officials are still on the sideline, Schultz said he would soon be making calls to his colleagues and urging them to back Santorum.
While shaking hands after the event, Santorum was asked by a supporter if he was still planning to attend the debate hosted by Donald Trump in Iowa later this month. "I'm going," Santorum said.
"I don't get it," Santorum said after being reminded that many of the other candidates who have said they won't be in attendance have already met with Trump at his offices in New York. "I've never met with him. I offered that if he wanted to meet me at my office in Urbandale I'd be happy to host him. If he wants to come to Iowa I'm happy to be there."
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Last minute surge frothing up and spewing forth.....
If you go you will lose all the supporter that you have now. And you can't lose any more.
Santorum predicts last-minute surge...to last place
It's quite apparent that a prerequisite for being a GOP-bagger candidate is being extremely delusional.
Santorum sees himself as Mike Huckabee and thinks he's going to appeal to social conservatives the way Huckabee did.
There's a big difference, though. Mike Huckabee, while very religious, was also funny and likeable. Santorum is just intolerant and bigoted and hides behind religion to justify being so.
The New item just came in. Sciver in the La Times has mentioned that: Santorum can only count on his immediate family to vote for him.
So now Insane Santorum is claiming he will create a surge and win the election. He will guarantee it. Does anybody want to start a wager?
L.A. Times not La La Land Times. Sorry about that.
OMG. A Santorum surge???? Hahahhahahaha. Not gonna happen frothy.
yeah and I predicted Albert Pujols would resign with the Cardinals.
Obviously , this man knows nothing about tide tables and solunar charts for Surge !
Just another story of the big fish that got away !
You wish ...not happening.
Unless Gingrich implodes, there is not going to be a last-minute surge for Santorum. Republicans can only support one anti-Romney candidate at a time. Of course, Gingrich admitted on CNN a few days ago that he could implode. Ladies and gentlemen, your Republican frontrunner! This is the person Republicans want to put in control of the nuclear button! Yes, I understand. What choice do Republicans have? Romney? He has been known to change his positions. Republicans are not even sure that Romney is one of them.
He should buy ONE lottery ticket as well
Why do you not quit right now? You losses in the last few elections should indicate that you come Jesus hate gays and abortion message is not working. My guess is that you have attained your peter principle status completely.
I just GOOGLED his name and now I HAVE to ask out of which ORAFICE does he expects this surge to
come out of ?
OMG, do you see whats going on in Syria? Regardless of a brutal government crackdown, the demonstrations continue
...he was optimistic in his predictions for the coming weeks. - So is Ms. Bachmann...! What a circus!
Perhaps there should be mandatory drug testing for all candidates. Santorum must be high on something if he thinks he has any chance.
Like all the republicans Santorum is living in La La Land! They are all totally out of touch with reality. Wait till 2012 and the wake up!
Santorum is delusional. He has surged already and never got out of the low single digits. It's time for Rick to close shop and go away.
good luck with that!
A late surge for Santorum? Riiiiiight! And if you believe that one, I've got some surplus Iraqi WMD's I'll sell you cheap.
Schultz endorsing Santorum then claims it has no reflection on the other candidates??? Slim Pickens!!!!