NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — Former Sen. Rick Santorum gave a fiery speech Thursday at CPAC in support of populist conservatism, while warning that the candidate who Americans think sounds like he is on their side really isn’t — an apparent shot at Donald Trump.
Santorum, who has endorsed Sen. [crscore]Marco Rubio[/crscore], said in his speech that immigration is “the signature issue.” He went on to complain that he doesn’t hear any presidential candidates speaking about the importance of bringing back manufacturing to the United States. (RELATED: Santorum Says Rubio Has No Accomplishments)
“No one talks about in our party, whether immigration is in the best interest of the American people, particularly those 70 percent of Americans who are really struggling,” he said.
“We have an opportunity ladies and gentlemen as a result of this earthquake that’s happening across this country to learn from that earthquake and take conservative principles and policies and adapt them to meet the needs that are roiling America today,” Santorum continued.
He said the Republicans aren’t “feeling the love” of the working class because “we’re not giving much.”
“We have to be the party that understands America has changed economically,” Santorum said. “Globalism … has serious consequences for our society.”
While this speech might sound like an endorsement of the economic nationalist campaign that Donald Trump has been running, Santorum made sure to tell attendants, “There are a lot of people in America now who are cheering because there is someone who sounds like — I don’t think is — but sounds like they are on their side.” (RELATED: Donald Trump Previews How He Will Run In The General Election)