Politics

Rick Santorum: I’m the little engine that could

Alex Pappas Political Reporter
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AMES, Iowa — Presidential candidate Rick Santorum emphasized his social-conservative credentials Saturday and dinged the media for paying more attention to other “shiny engines” running for president.

The former Pennsylvania senator made the comments at a speech at the Iowa Straw Poll, where he and his family have been giving out hamburgers and homemade jam to voters.

“This is the little engine that could campaign,” Santorum said, referencing the children’s book. “They told us we had no chance.”

He continued: “All they did, all press does, is write about these shiny engines.” (RELATED: Santorum ties Obama in Pennsylvania, poll finds)

Santorum has likely emphasized social issues more than any other candidate, and he made that clear to the conservative audience here.

“Many people have said the social issues are not important in this campaign,” he said. “Well I’ve gone out and talked about all the issues, yes even the social issues … I will not back down on the sanctity of life.”