(Image Source: Real Clear Politics)

BY AUSTIN ALONZO

ANCHOR CHRISTINA HARTMAN

Only days after saying he’d drop out of the race if he finishes last in January 3rd’s Iowa Caucus, Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum is close to leading the pack.

And the candidates are heading into the 11th hour.

A CNN/Time Magazine poll released on Dec. 28th shows the socially conservative former senator quickly jumped to contender status in Iowa, closing in on Ron Paul and Mitt Romney with 16 percent of the potential vote.


The latest NBC-Marist poll released Friday shows more of the same, with Santorum in third at 15 percent.


So how did Santorum grab so much momentum while flying under the radar of the national media? He’s crediting it to his tour of all 99 counties in Iowa, but Politico notes his social agenda and an endorsement from the influential political group The Family Leader gave him a major push.


Politico quoted Bob Vander Plaats of The Family Leader, and says he’s taking credit for Santorum’s rise.


“Since that press conference, everywhere I go, the talk is about Santorum. … The pulse of the voters all indicate a come-from-behind surprise victory for Rick Santorum on January 3rd.  Conservative voters are definitely beginning to coalesce around Rick Santorum.”

But can Santorum compete nationally? In an interview on NBC’s Today the candidate said he’s won tough elections before and can do it again.


“I had a million more registered Democrats than Republicans and in two state wide elections, you know, running against very strong candidates I was able to win the state of Pennsylvania. Something a Republican for president hasn’t done since 1988.”


The Wall Street Journal’s James Freeman agrees with Santorum, and sees a candidate that can win the support of both fiscally and socially conservative voters -- even beyond Iowa.


“During his two terms in the Senate, he was outspoken on behalf of lower spending and lower taxes. Though he has hardly mentioned economic policy in recent debates beyond his odd suggestion of making manufacturing companies tax-exempt while continuing to tax other businesses, Mr. Santorum actually has a plan to relieve the tax burden on all companies and on individuals, too.”



On the other hand, The Washington Post’s Chris Cilliza isn’t as optimistic about Santorum’s chances -- especially in a general election against President Obama. He says -- look a little closer at the polling.


“Asked which candidate had the best chance of beating President Obama next fall ... Just four — yes, four — percent chose Santorum. … the overarching goal of the Republican party over the next year will be beating President Obama.”


The Washington Post also notes Santorum lags behind other candidates in fundraising and hasn’t made a similar push in New Hampshire or South Carolina.