It’s a great headline over at Politico: One voter shows up at Santorum event in Iowa. It’s not entirely accurate, as the article goes on to clarify that four voters were present by event’s end. But either way, it doesn’t look great for Republican presidential hopeful Rick Santorum.
How embarrassed should the former senator and his campaign be? Some context helps. The campaign stop in question took place in a town with a population of 300. Perhaps it would help to know how similar events in the same town have been attended. Perhaps the Santorum campaign should be picking better spots for their events. Then again, they say it’s all part of the plan.
“It’s not glamorous, and you’re not out there raising money, but you’re doing what the money is ultimately supposed to do — getting votes,” Santorum told the [Des Moines] Register. “This is a lot more fun than being on the phone raising money…”
He drew a slightly larger crowd in nearby Panora, Iowa, when 10 people showed up to ask him questions about his positions at a telecommunications company…
“People don’t understand. One guy in there said, ‘I’ll speak for you at the caucus,’” Santorum said. “That’s maybe eight votes that you wouldn’t otherwise get. Eight votes can make a big difference, as I know.”
So is this grassroots retail politics, or a major embarrassment for a presidential candidate?
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