Rick Santorum Says He’s Not Worried About Poll Numbers
Published at | Updated at
ABC/Donna Svennevik(NEW YORK) — Rick Santorum couldn’t care less that he’s trailing most other Republican presidential contenders in national polls.
Four years ago, the Pennsylvania senator was behind in the polls, but won the Iowa caucuses after slogging through all 99 of the state’s counties.
“Good poll numbers in July are easily traded for better poll numbers in January,” Santorum told a small group of reporters in Washington Monday.
But this time, the field is larger and more competitive. And at least one candidate, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, aims to mirror Santorum’s full-state press.
“I don’t think there’s any expectation that I’m going to win Iowa,” Santorum said.
A strong finish in Iowa, New Hampshire or South Carolina is essential, though, he added.
He said he’s not worried about the relatively small amount of money he’s raised compared to his competitors. Santorum is hoping his pro-manufacturing message will resonate with Iowans, including many who remember him from last time around and might select him from this cycle’s “dessert table” of candidates, he said.
“We’re counting on the long plan,” Santorum said, with an almost Zen-like quality, “not the short plan.”
Copyright © 2015, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.