Rick Santorum just announced that he's skipping Rep. Steve King's gathering in Des Moines on Saturday -- featuring several potential Republican presidential hopefuls like himself -- because of a family emergency. Here's the statement:

"Unfortunately, due to a family medical emergency, I will no longer be able to attend Congressman Steve King's Conservative Principles Conference in Iowa tomorrow.  I am disappointed that I will not be able to participate in this important gathering of Iowa conservatives, but I look forward to being back in Iowa soon."