Rick Santorum Scores Major Conservative Endorsement in Iowa

Republican presidential hopeful former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania unveiled two major endorsements on Tuesday as he looks to appeal to religious and social conservatives in order to win the Iowa caucus in two weeks. On Tuesday, former Republican gubernatorial hopeful Bob Vander Plaats, now president and CEO of the Iowa Family Leader, and Chuck Hurley, president of the Iowa Family Policy Center, announced that they were backing Santorums bid for the nomination.

"I am truly honored to receive Bob and Chuck's endorsement today, Santorum said in a statement released on Tuesday. I've had the great pleasure of getting to know them over the past several years. In fact, we campaigned together throughout 2010 as they successfully worked to throw out activist judges who redefined marriage in the Hawkeye State. Their reach and influence covers all corners of Iowa, and I know they did not take this endorsement lightly. This means so much more to our campaign. If their work on behalf of Governor Huckabee four years ago is any indication, I have no doubt they will be a terrific catalyst for our campaign as we continue building momentum in Iowa. Now is the time for conservatives to unite so we can defeat Barack Obama."

Hogan Gidley, who was on board Huckabees team back in 2008 and now serves as Santorums national communications director, attempted to contrast his candidates record and those of some of his Republican rivals.

"Conservatives are starting to recognize that Rick is the viable, consistent, conservative alternative to moderates like Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich, Gidley said. Rick offers a clear contrast to Barack Obama on important issues like health care, individual mandates and TARP.This endorsement, like previous endorsements, is a clear indicator that Rick's record of conservative victories is attracting those who want to beat this president and his radical liberal agenda.