By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
After last night’s victories in Colorado, Minnesota, and Missouri, the Santorum team says that they are gaining momentum and that former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum is the Republican candidate for President that is best positioned to represent conservatives in the party.
Following Sen. Santorum’s 3 and 0 outing in Tuesday nights’ caucuses the ‘Alabama Political Reporter’ interviewed Kenny Dean about the campaign. Kenny Dean is the Grassroots Coordinator for Rick Santorum’s Alabama campaign. Dean said that Rick’s showing in Tuesday night’s caucuses “was something that has been boiling for several months.” Mr. Dean said that Sen. Santorum was “definitely the most conservative candidate” in the four person Republican field.
We asked Dean if Speaker Newt Gingrich should drop out of the race and endorse Sen. Santorum as the conservative alternative to Gov. Mitt Romney, who is perceived as more of a moderate. Dean said that that “would be the conventional wisdom.” However Mr. Dean said, “That decision is Newt’s.” “He has every reason to stay in the race.” Mr. Dean thought that we should know more about this Presidential Primary race after Super Tuesday on March 6th.
We asked Mr. Dean if Gingrich and Romney have both so hurt each other’s brand through millions of $s in negative advertising that both candidacies are mortally wounded going forward. Dean said that, “Mitt and Newt both have played a very nasty game, especially Mitt” and there have been consequences as a result.
We asked Coordinator Dean if Sen. Santorum can avoid falling into that same negativity trap now that he is moving toward frontrunner status? Dean said that Santorum can avoid it by staying on message. Dean felt that there is more of a “contrast between Rick and Obama” than there is with the other candidates. Grassroots Coordinator Dean said that “transparency” has helped Sen. Rick Santorum’s campaign
The Alabama Political Reporter asked if Santorum had been aided by the Obama administration’s decision to declare war against the Catholic Church and religious institutions over command of the health care sector energizing social conservatives. Dean said, “I know the media has reported a possible connection there but we got our true bounce from the grass roots supporters.” Mr. Dean believed that Sen. Santorum was already positioned to win Colorado, Minnesota, and Missouri anyway and that the Obama administration decision did not impact the caucus results.
Grassroots Coordinator Dean said, “Slowly but surely as Santorum’s platform has become known his support has grown. Rick is a likable guy. Dean said that there are “no marital or ethical scandals with Rick.” Dean also emphasized that Sen. Santorum has a strong conservative record.
Mr. Dean said, “Alabama voters are looking for a strong conservative candidate to support for President.” “Santorum is the Anti-Obama.”
Dean said that Alabama’s Santorum campaign was more of a strong grass roots campaign of volunteers than a group of politicians and current and former elected officials.
Coordinator Dean said, “Mitt has the money both personally and from fundraising and has been campaigning for six years that gave him an early lead.” “We have had a steady ground game building since summer.” “As money has increased, Rick has used it smartly focusing his funds on a state by state approach.” Dean said during the last 2 or 3 months volunteers and grass roots conservatives have flocked to Santorum’s camp
Grassroots Coordinator Dean said that Sen. Santorum should be able to get to Alabama for a personal appearance after the March 6th Presidential Primary. Mr. Dean said that the Alabama Policy Institute is hosting a Presidential Forum in Mobile on March 8th and Sen. Rick Santorum has already committed to attending the event. To this point Senator Santorum is the only candidate who has agreed to participate. The other campaigns have not yet made a decision.
Mr. Dean said that the Santorum campaign is still appointing county captains and it is their goal to soon have a Santorum campaign captain in all 67 counties in Alabama. In the weeks immediately before the March 13th Primary the Alabama Santorum campaign may have some endorsements of Sen. Santorum to announce; but he also said that “endorsements don’t sway voters.” Dean said that endorsements from Gov. Pawlenty and Gov. Haley didn’t help Gov. Romney any in Minnesota or South Carolina.
Kenny Dean said that he is running on the March 13th primary ballot as a Rick Santorum delegate to the Republican Convention.
Mr. Dean said that the Alabama Santorum campaign has a large presence on Facebook.
http://www.facebook.com/groups/335013979859475/
To date Sen. Rick Santorum has won Colorado, Minnesota, and Missouri. Gov. Mitt Romney has won New Hampshire, Nevada, and Florida while the two candidates had a virtual tie in Iowa. Speaker Newt Gingrich has won South Carolina. Rep. Ron Paul is yet to win a primary or a caucus.
To donate money, learn about Sen. Santorum’s positions on the issues, volunteer to join the campaign, or purchase campaign materials like signs, t-shirts, or bumper stickers go to:
