MANCHESTER, N.H. — For Rick Santorum, the home-state reinforcements are coming fast.
About 50 high-level Pennsylvania elected officials, Republican Party leaders, political operatives and conservative activists have arrived in New Hampshire and South Carolina to pitch in for their former U.S. senator’s surging presidential campaign.
Supporters from back home coming to help in the closing days of a presidential campaign is nothing unusual, but it’s especially critical for Santorum, whose standing in the polls has in some ways outpaced what his political organization can accomplish. That was clear during overflow events the campaign sometimes struggled to manage.
And so a generation of politicos who got their professional start under Santorum is here to help at the zenith of his political career, staffing events, providing counsel or just offering a friendly face at a hectic moment.
“Whatever needs to be done,” said Pennsylvania state Sen. Jake Corman.
“Sen. Santorum is a very good friend of mine, and I want be here to support him,” added the former Santorum staffer whose father hired Santorum for his first job in politics. “I believe in him, I believe in what he’s trying to accomplish.
What better way to experience the New Hampshire campaign than up close and personal with a good friend?”
Other Pennsylvanians making the trip include state Sens. Kim Ward and Richard Alloway, state GOP vice chair Joyce Haas, top political operative Ray Zaborney, influential Harrisburg lobbyist Stan Rapp and prominent conservative activist Michael Geer.
“I’m just here to do my part for Rick,” Zaborney said moments before Saturday night’s debate in nearby Goffstown.
Santorum’s home state hasn’t always been a bright spot during his underdog campaign. Much of its Republican donor class is backing Mitt Romney, and Santorum has expressed some frustration at his lack of financial support in Pennsylvania.
“A lot of folks are skeptical of our campaign,” Santorum said in September. “They’re not seeing what we’re seeing in these early states. It’s like the phrase, ‘It’s hard to be a prophet in your own town.’ ”
His emergence as one of Romney’s most credible conservative challengers and the recent fundraising uptick that’s come with it has brought some people off the sidelines, and given staunch supporters reason to do more.
McCAIN: I’M JUST RETURNING THE FAVOR
John McCain says he’s campaigning hard for Mitt Romney because Romney did the same for him. “After the 2008 [primary] campaign was over, no one worked harder on behalf of my campaign than Mitt Romney did,” McCain said on CBS’ “Face the Nation” yesterday. “I admire him, I admire his family, I admire his values.”
JEWISH GROUP: ENOUGH ABOUT JESUS, RICK
The Anti-Defamation League asked Rick Santorum to stop campaigning on his religious beliefs after he told a radio show last week that “we always need a Jesus candidate.” “Religious appeals to voters are simply unacceptable and un-American,” said Abraham Foxman, the ADL’s national director. “Voters should be encouraged to make their decisions based upon their assessment of the [candidates’] qualifications.”
Dan.Hirschhorn@thedaily.com
About 50 high-level Pennsylvania elected officials, Republican Party leaders, political operatives and conservative activists have arrived in New Hampshire and South Carolina to pitch in for their former U.S. senator’s surging presidential campaign.
Supporters from back home coming to help in the closing days of a presidential campaign is nothing unusual, but it’s especially critical for Santorum, whose standing in the polls has in some ways outpaced what his political organization can accomplish. That was clear during overflow events the campaign sometimes struggled to manage.
And so a generation of politicos who got their professional start under Santorum is here to help at the zenith of his political career, staffing events, providing counsel or just offering a friendly face at a hectic moment.
“Whatever needs to be done,” said Pennsylvania state Sen. Jake Corman.
“Sen. Santorum is a very good friend of mine, and I want be here to support him,” added the former Santorum staffer whose father hired Santorum for his first job in politics. “I believe in him, I believe in what he’s trying to accomplish.
What better way to experience the New Hampshire campaign than up close and personal with a good friend?”
Other Pennsylvanians making the trip include state Sens. Kim Ward and Richard Alloway, state GOP vice chair Joyce Haas, top political operative Ray Zaborney, influential Harrisburg lobbyist Stan Rapp and prominent conservative activist Michael Geer.
“I’m just here to do my part for Rick,” Zaborney said moments before Saturday night’s debate in nearby Goffstown.
Santorum’s home state hasn’t always been a bright spot during his underdog campaign. Much of its Republican donor class is backing Mitt Romney, and Santorum has expressed some frustration at his lack of financial support in Pennsylvania.
“A lot of folks are skeptical of our campaign,” Santorum said in September. “They’re not seeing what we’re seeing in these early states. It’s like the phrase, ‘It’s hard to be a prophet in your own town.’ ”
His emergence as one of Romney’s most credible conservative challengers and the recent fundraising uptick that’s come with it has brought some people off the sidelines, and given staunch supporters reason to do more.
McCAIN: I’M JUST RETURNING THE FAVOR
John McCain says he’s campaigning hard for Mitt Romney because Romney did the same for him. “After the 2008 [primary] campaign was over, no one worked harder on behalf of my campaign than Mitt Romney did,” McCain said on CBS’ “Face the Nation” yesterday. “I admire him, I admire his family, I admire his values.”
JEWISH GROUP: ENOUGH ABOUT JESUS, RICK
The Anti-Defamation League asked Rick Santorum to stop campaigning on his religious beliefs after he told a radio show last week that “we always need a Jesus candidate.” “Religious appeals to voters are simply unacceptable and un-American,” said Abraham Foxman, the ADL’s national director. “Voters should be encouraged to make their decisions based upon their assessment of the [candidates’] qualifications.”
Dan.Hirschhorn@thedaily.com
PHOTO: David Goldman/AP
A South Carolina fan admires his photo with Santorum.
PHOTO: Matt Rourke/AP
STUCK ON NEWT: Grantlee Hoffman, 6, pulls at a sticker yesterday during an event for Newt Gingrich in Derry, N.H.
