The winner of the 2012 Iowa Republican caucuses, Rick Santorum is making a final push through the state this week.
The former Pennsylvania Senator was a surprise winner four years ago after initial results showed Mitt Romney winning by just 8 votes. Two weeks later, after a recount, Santorum was declared the winner. Many believed the snafu would be the end of the Iowa caucuses. Santorum says he still believes in the procedure that puts Iowa at the top of the political process.
“They are taking measures this time to make sure the vote is even more accurate and not to mention winners and losers until the vote is certified if it’s close," he says. “If it’s not close, you don’t have to worry about that.”
In the 2016 presidential race, Santorum is not in the top tier of candidates, polling in the lower single digits. He says he’ll consider it an Iowa victory if he finishes ahead of some of the other Republicans who’ve had much more national media attention. He blames the crowded GOP field in part for his poor showing, saying that he’s not been allowed to be seen in prime time.
