Politics & Government

Santorum Slams Obama on Economy During Ankeny Stop

The Republican presidential candidate kicks off a 50-city, three-week tour of Iowa at Cafe Diem in Ankeny.

Amidst coffee, muffins and a lot of cameras, Ankeny residents had an opportunity today to learn a little about a man hoping to become the country’s next president.

Former Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) made at stop at  in Ankeny this morning, kicking off a three-week tour of Iowa leading up to the Ames Straw Poll on Aug. 13.

“I’m looking forward to meeting all Iowans and sharing a really positive and upbeat mission with them,” Santorum said.

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"The Courage to Fight for American Values" tour will take Santorum, his wife and seven children to 50 Iowa cities.

Santorum and his family drove 16 hours from Pennsylvania to Ankeny, making many stops along the way, he said. When asked why his children were not with him, Santorum said he decided to “give them the day off” following their travels.

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Julie Moulton, Ankeny resident and owner of a local realty company, said she has been following Santorum and his platform for a while.

“We’re really concerned about the nation’s debt and spending,” she said.

Santorum spoke of his stance on several issues, including the national debt crisis and the country’s lack of leadership.

“(Barack) Obama has inherited a tough economy and has done everything in his power to make it worse,” Santorum said, referencing ObamaCare. “The president is completely out of touch with what it takes to turn this economy around.”

Santorum said ObamaCare is the reason he decided to run for president. If elected, he said he would do what he can to ensure ObamaCare does not become a reality.

Santorum also touched on his plan to stimulate the nation’s economy, a plan that includes a more resource-based economy and offering tax breaks to manufacturers to encourage the companies to bring jobs back to American soil.

He also spoke of supporting a constitutional amendment on the issue of gay marriage.

“The marriage between a man and a woman is an essential element of a good and decent society,” Santorum said. “(Gay marriage) undermines every basic traditional value in this country.”

Meghan Rupiper, 26, of Ankeny said she was impressed with Santorum’s passion.

“I may not agree with everything he said, but I have a lot of respect for the passion he had,” she said.

Rupiper, a school psychologist who does not belong to a specific political party, hasn’t decided which candidate to support in the 2012 presidential election, so she came to Café Diem to see what Santorum had to say.

“He has a strong platform…things that are deeply rooted in my faith,” said Rupiper, who works as a school psychologist. “I want to make an informed decision.”

Moulton said the country needs a leader who will “stop apologizing,” and Santorum seems to have a good idea of what it takes to be a leader.

“With (Santorum’s) experience and his background, I think he could take the country through all of this,” she said.

Doug Maxwell of Ames attended today’s event by accident, he said. He came in for a cup of coffee but decided to stick around and see what Santorum had to say.

Maxwell, a Republican, said Santorum seems “incredibly articulate and smart.” Maxwell also said he is looking for a candidate who supports conservative business practices and traditional Christian family values.

But he’s not convinced Santorum will make a good president.

“I’m much more interested in governors, those who have experience with budgets, legislators and making executive decisions,” Maxwell said. “(Santorum) would be a great secretary of labor.”


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