URBANDALE, IOWA — Standing a few steps behind Rick Santorum as he arrived at the Des Moines Christian school here Tuesday was none other than Ralph Reed. He told me he wasn’t endorsing anyone, but said “we’ve known Rick a long time” and was hanging out today at Santorum’s request.
Reed said he was “pleasantly” surprised that Iowans are coming around to Santorum, who he said has been out there saying the right things to Iowa’s electorate for a long time. Iowa, classic Iowa, really is a natural fit for Santorum, who of course made his name as one of the strongest voices on the social right.
As he wraps up his time in the state, Reed was just one of the many signs that Santorum’s going out on a religious note.
On Monday, for instance, there was the appearance with the Duggars, the huge family of Christians who are stars among evangelicals thanks to their reality TV show.
To be sure, Santorum is willing to talk about the religious stuff on all occasions. But speaking before a Christian audience today, Santorum was clearly in his element, talking up the family values stuff that’s made him Reed’s kind of guy.
Evangelicals have been discounted in Iowa this cycle thanks in part to the fact that they’ve stayed divided and thanks in part to the fact that economic issues are seen to be driving things. But Santorum is clearly banking that the evangelicals will matter — he’s worked hard in the community and earned support from their leaders. If he wins tonight it will be in large part because he wasn’t afraid to talk about god in Iowa.
Evan McMorris-Santoro
Evan McMorris-Santoro has covered politics for TPM since 2009. Before that, he was a reporter at National Journal’s Hotline covering election 2008. He started his career covering local politics at newspapers in TN and his native NC.
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