Two days before kicking off his presidential campaign, former Sen. Rick Santorum told attendees at the Faith and Freedom Conference that he brings a record of leadership on issues important to social conservatives, a point of contrast with other White House hopefuls.
"I just don't take the pledge - I take the bullets," said Santorum, speaking at the Faith and Freedom Conference that has attracted nearly every major presidential candidate this weekend. "I stand out in front and lead."
At a time when many speakers focused on economic issues as much as cultural ones, Santorum aimed the speech to remind participants of his socially conservative record, which defined his career in Washington and which distinguishes his presidential campaign.
He touted his opposition of abortion rights and same-sex marriage in the Senate, and called himself the "point man" on issues important to cultural conservatives. He included his belief in limited government, but didn't focus on the debt limit debate animating Congress. He also discussed foreign policy in his speech, underscoring his support for American's close relationship with Israel.
"I'm out there fighting for causes social conservatives care about, and they're not just social conservative causes," he said.
Santorum will be announcing his presidential campaign Monday in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.
National Journal - Hotline On Call
by Alex Roarty
http://hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com/archives/2011/06/santorum-cultur.php
