Santorum gets major endorsement
Rick Santorum's bid to be the leading social conservative candidate in the Iowa caucuses -- which vaulted Mike Huckabee to a surprise win in 2008 -- got a big, big lift this morning with the endorsement by Bob Vander Plaats, the president of The Family Leader.
The group itself isn't making any endorsements but its allowing its leaders to do so. Vander Plaats announced at an 11:30 am presser that he is pushing for Santorum saying, "I believe Rick Santorum comes from us, not to us. He's one of us."
From Jeff Zeleny at the NYT:
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Two weeks before the Republican nominating contest opens at the Iowa caucuses, former Senator Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania has won a highly-coveted endorsement from one of the state’s social conservative leaders.
Bob Vander Plaats, who has sought to put his imprint on the Republican presidential race for months, announced Tuesday that he would support Mr. Santorum. He and other evangelical Christians have talked openly about their struggle to unite behind one candidate, but he urged others to follow his lead.
At this late stage in the campaign, it remains an open question how the endorsement from Mr. Vander Plaats will affect the Iowa caucus campaign. His political activity, including leading the effort to remove three judges from the Iowa Supreme Court last year in a battle over same-sex marriage, has made him a lightening rod in some Republican circles.
Jennifer Jacobs at the Des Moines Register:
Santorum was munching on a cinnamon roll after a campaign stop in Pella when he found out about Vander Plaats’ endorsement.
“There’s a lot of good people out here running, and I’m sure it was a tough decision, I think it shows that we’re the candidate right now that has the momentum that has the message that’s resonating to the people of Iowa,” Santorum said.
Vander Plaats and Hurley are “probably catching that. And they see this as the campaign that’s going to be the conservative alternative.”
The social conservatives who weigh heavily in the GOP caucuses in the state helped deliver a win for Mike Huckabee four years ago. Santorum’s been hoping to repeat the trick with at least a stronger than expected showing that could keep his campaign going, running a retail heavy campaign focused on the social conservatives naturally within his base.
Vander Plaats provides the former Pennsylvania senator with one of the most sought after imprimaturs for these voters.
From a USA Today setup on the announcement earlier today:The group, led by president Bob Vander Plaats, has taken an active role in the GOP contest this year and recently hosted a forum for candidates to share their views about their faith. The Des Moines Register reports the Family Leader has been "wrestling over how to reach consensus on just one candidate."
Evangelical voters traditionally make up a huge swath of Iowa GOP caucusgoers. In 2008, evangelicals or born-again Christians made up 60% of the Iowa voter turnout in the caucuses -- an unusually high number attributed to candidate Mike Huckabee, a Baptist minister and former Arkansas governor.
The full statement from the Santorum camp on the endorsement is after the jump:
Urbandale, IA - Today, two major endorsements were awarded to the Santorum for President campaign. Bob Vander Plaats is the President and CEO of the Iowa FAMiLY Leader and Chuck Hurley is the President of the Iowa Family Policy Center - and both are influential pro-traditional values leaders in Iowa.
Rick Santorum said: "I am truly honored to receive the Bob and Chuck's endorsement today. I've had the great pleasure of getting to know them over the past several years. In fact, we campaigned together throughout 2010 as they successfully worked to throw out activist judges who redefined marriage in the Hawkeye State. Their reach and influence covers all corners of Iowa, and I know they did not take this endorsement lightly. This means so much more to our campaign. If their work on behalf of Governor Huckabee four years ago is any indication, I have no doubt they will be a terrific catalyst for our campaign as we continue building momentum in Iowa. Now is the time for conservatives to unite so we can defeat Barack Obama."
Hogan Gidley, National Communications Director said, "Conservatives are starting to recognize that Rick is the viable consistent conservative alternative to moderates like Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich. Rick offers a clear contrast to Barack Obama on important issues like healthcare, individual mandates and TARP. This endorsement like previous endorsements are clear indicators that Rick's record of conservative victories are attracting those who want to beat this President and his radical liberal agenda.
The FAMiLY Leader has emerged as one of the nation's most influential pro-family organizations. In 2010, Rick Santorum was the only Republican Presidential contender to join the FAMilY Leader in their statewide campaign to oust Iowa Supreme Court justices who redefined marriage in Iowa. The FAMiLY Leader has also been active in the 2012 presidential campaign, hosting a presidential forum in November 2011 where six of the leading Republican presidential candidates attended.
Rick Santorum has been a stalwart defender of the traditional family for two decades. Santorum is the author of the law that banned partial birth abortions, the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, and the Born Alive Infant Protection Act to defend the unborn. Santorum was the principal proponent of the Federal Marriage Amendment, forcing the only vote ever cast on the Amendment. Rick Santorum was also the author of the Combating Autism Act to assist special-needs children afflicted with autism, the National Fatherhood Initiative, and the landmark 1996 Welfare Reform legislation that has helped millions of American families rise out of poverty. In 2005, Santorum authored the New York Times Best-Selling book, "It Takes A Family." Rick and his wife Karen are the proud homeschool parents of 7 children.