Santorum sends Iowa caucus rivals scrambling

[L. Coyote]

By Steve Holland
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/02/us-usa-campaign-idUSTRE7BT14220120102
DES MOINES | Mon Jan 2, 2012 6:52pm EST

(Reuters) - With time running out, rivals of surging Republican Rick Santorum raised doubts about his conservative record on Monday in hopes of heading off a last-minute victory by the former senator a day before Iowa kicks off the 2012 presidential election season.

Santorum, a second-tier candidate until a jump in the polls last week, claimed the momentum as he and the other Republican candidates barnstormed across Iowa making final arguments and trying to bolster turnout ahead of Tuesday's Iowa caucuses.

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and libertarian congressman Ron Paul are neck-and-neck in the lead in Iowa polls

[L. Coyote]

1. In Iowa, looking for God’s endorsement

In Iowa, looking for God’s endorsement
By Scot Lehigh | Globe columnist
http://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2012/01/02/iowa-looking-for-god-endorsement/5tXvjOAFKWOJQNXORwpGEN/story.html
January 02, 2012


One thing that’s unusual from an East Coast perspective is the overt religiosity of Republican politics in Iowa. Caucus time here frequently finds the candidates vying for the role of most ardent defender of religious values — and Christian values voters trying to glean clues about which aspirant God prefers.

No one has been more aggressive — and divinely presumptuous — in his appeal to religious voters than Texas Governor Rick Perry.

In a new TV ad, Perry declares that “some liberals say faith is a sign of weakness. They are wrong. I think we all need God’s help.” That ad concludes: “I’m Rick Perry. I’m not ashamed to talk about my faith. And I approve this message.”

During one speech last week, Perry implied, without quite saying as much, that he felt called by God to run for president. “I have basically been called to serve my country,” he said on Wednesday in Urbandale. “That’s what this election is about...........

[L. Coyote]

2. Newt Gingrich says ‘I don’t think I’m going to win’ Iowa

Newt Gingrich says ‘I don’t think I’m going to win’ Iowa
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/afternoon-fix-gingrich-says-i-dont-think-im-going-to-win-iowa/2012/01/02/gIQAJk9mWP_blog.html
by Chris Cillizza at 05:25 PM ET, 01/02/2012


Gingrich doesn’t think he’ll win Iowa, Rick Santorum gets the Duggar family, Perry wants names and Paul is has a plan to win it all. ..........

* Almost exactly a month after telling ABC News “I’m going to be the nominee,” former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is telling reporters that “I don’t think I’m going to win.” Of course, he’s only talking about Iowa. If he did win the presidency, he said it’s “a duty, not a pleasure ... This is exciting, it’s interesting, it’s fascinating but it’s not at the center of my being.”

* A big endorsement, by volume if nothing else: Former Pennsylvania senator Rick Santorum has the backing of Jim Bob Duggar. The star of TLC’s “19 Kids and Counting” brought a dozen of his 19 children from Arkansas to Iowa to campaign with the candidate. .............

[L. Coyote]

3. Michele Bachmann Makes Final Push Ahead Of Iowa Caucus 2012

Michele Bachmann Makes Final Push Ahead Of Iowa Caucus 2012
BRIAN BAKST 01/ 2/12 07:26 PM ET AP
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/02/michele-bachmann-iowa-caucus-2012_n_1179901.html


VALLEY JUNCTION, Iowa — Michele Bachmann finally joined the Iowa television ad fray Monday, pushing her hometown connection and saying she stood up to President Barack Obama as other Republicans "were cutting deals" with the Democrat.

It was a late start for an ad campaign as Iowa Republicans head to caucuses on Tuesday. She's trailing badly. .............

[L. Coyote]

4. Romney Says He Expects To Win Iowa’s Caucuses

Monday, Jan 2, 2012 8:38 AM PST
Romney Says He Expects To Win Iowa’s Caucuses
By Kasie Hunt, Associated Press
http://www.salon.com/2012/01/03/romney_says_he_expects_to_win_iowas_caucuses-3/


MARION, Iowa (AP) — A confident Mitt Romney said Monday that he’s going to win Iowa and become the Republican nominee for president.

“We’re going to win this thing with all of our passion and strength and do everything we can to get this campaign on the right track,” Romney told a raucous crowd gathered here on the last day of campaigning before Tuesday’s caucus ............

[DJ13]

5. Beware the surge of Santorum

It gets messy.

[Heywood J]

6. Scrambling for what, the bathroom? (NT)

[JoePhilly]

7. Santorum has been all over Iowa!!!

The recent polls have Santorum all over them!

And Romney and Gingrich can't seem to get Santorum off their backs ...

Meanwhile, many Iowa evangelicals are soaking up Santorum ... and hoping he comes from behind.

This primary is going to be very messy!

[PCIntern]

8. ...methinks this also smells bad. n/t

[jberryhill]

9. Santorum is more slippery than many appreciate