Social and religious conservatives can help propel candidates in the Iowa Republican caucus and the battle to win them over starts this summer.
On Aug. 10, social and religious conservatives will gather in Ames for the Family Leadership Summit where they will hear from some of the leading potential Republican presidential candidates. Iowa conservative group Family Leader is hosting the summit with national conservative groups Citizens United, Heritage Action and the National Organization for Marriage.
Republican activist Bob Vander Plaats, president and CEO of the Family Leader and one of the leading conservatives in the Hawkeye State, announced this week that former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania will be speaking at the event in August. With the help of social and religious conservatives, Santorum upset Mitt Romney in the 2012 Iowa caucus.
This years theme is Leading with Principles Over Politics, and attendees will be encouraged to stay true to their values, no matter what political winds may blow, Vander Plaats said on Wednesday. We were very blessed last year to have Senator Santorum as a featured speaker at the inaugural summit, and we are extremely pleased to welcome him back to Iowa for this years summit. We have asked him to speak about a major threat to American families and the necessary leadership solutions to address that threat. Santorum is near and dear to Iowans hearts and we are thankful he will be a featured speaker at our event.
Santorum has remained active since placing a suprising second behind Romney in the 2012 primaries. He has been one of the more active potential Republican presidential candidates even as polls show his support has dropped considerably since he ended his campaign.
I am greatly looking forward to speaking at this years Family Leadership Summit, Santorum said. This gathering of conservatives provides each of us with an opportunity to exchange ideas and discuss the path forward as we tackle the moral and cultural challenges facing our country. The Family Leader has provided exceptional leadership on these issues, and I appreciate the opportunity to join them for this years summit.
Santorum can expect to have some competition from some of the other speakers in attendance. Some of the other Republicans expected to enter the presidential race in 2016 will also be in attendance. Invited speakers include U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Gov. Bobby Jindal of Louisianan, U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., Gov. Rick Perry of Texas, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and businessman Donald Trump. All of them have been mentioned as potential Republican presidential candidates in 2016.
While the theme of the summit is Leading with Principles Over Politics, Vander Plaats let the cat out of the bag that politics will be one of the themes of the event.
One of the hopeful outcomes of the summit is to bring conservatives together early and consistently in the process leading up to the 2016 elections, Vander Plaats said. We believe that by laying this foundation through an intentional leadership summit, the likelihood for conservatives to coalesce in a spirit of unity for impact and influence in 2014, 2016, and beyond will be greatly enhanced.
Religious and social conservatives in the Republican ranks have greatly influenced the Iowa caucus for more than two decades as Santorums win in 2012 shows. In 2008, they helped propel Mike Huckabee to an upset win in the Hawkeye State. In 2000, two dark-horse candidates -- Alan Keyes and Gary Bauer -- had strong showings in Iowa. In 1988, religious leader Pat Robertson finished in second place in Iowa behind Bob Dole and ahead of then-Vice President George H.W. Bush.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at 904-521-3722
