Politics: How Santorum Became the GOP?s Rocky Balboa

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Politics How Santorum Became the GOP's Rocky Balboa Rick is offering Super Tuesday voters a tough, gritty underdog who won't back down. But are they buying it? By John Dickerson Posted Tuesday, Mar 06, 2012, at 12:24 PM ET Zanesville, Ohio—I am my campaign. That was Rick Santorum's message at the Dayton Christian School in Miamisburg, Ohio, the day before Super Tuesday. The former Pennsylvania senator recounted how pundits had sniffed at him and how he'd been down in the polls for so long. But he slogged on, as he does today, even though he says he's being outspent 12-to-1 in this key battleground state. Only someone who could muscle through so much adversity can beat Barack Obama, he tells the crowds. As another sign of his determination, Santorum says he has turned down job offers and spent his life savings to run this race. "I come to the people of Ohio as a candidate who shouldn't be here," he said. "But we're here for a reason, because of ... enthusiasm and grit. Growing up in a steel worker town, growing up having to fight for everything you got is exactly the kind of person we need to have not just in the White House ... but in this election. Not someone who can buy it, but someone who knows you have to earn it. You have to fight for America."  It's a good story. This is what Americans want in their politics and their movie heroes. We root for truth triumphing against all odds. We want Rocky Balboa to win the fight. It is the story of America, as Santorum points out at an American Legion hall in Westerville later in the day ... To continue reading, click here. Join the Fray: our reader discussion forum What did you think of this article? POST A MESSAGE | READ MESSAGES Also In Slate Eric Holder Says the U.S. Can Kill Its Citizens Abroad and He Doesn't Have To Explain Why People Won't Accept Limbaugh's Apology, Because He Didn't Actually Apologize Why Are There So Many Mattress Ads on the Radio, Anyway?	Advertisement
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