Santorum Calls Michigan Race 'Winnable'

Rick Santorum took on his Republican challengers and President Obama during a primary campaign stop in St. Clair Shores.

The former senator from Pennsylvania took on Michigan native Mitt Romney and told his supporters that the election has not been determined.

"No one two weeks ago gave us any chance," said Santorum. "This race is close, this race is winnable."

An estimated 350 residents and members of local tea parties filled the banquet room at for an early Saturday morning rally to hear his message and learn about his platform.

During his nearly hourlong speech, he touched on a number of issues including:

• Man-made global warming, which he called "politicization of science," and controlling access to energy sources which stifles growth and the reemergence of manufacturing.
• President Obama's policies which "undermine the economy of this country, undermine families in this country, undermine our freedom and security in this country," he said. "It is our amazing our economy is moving toward recovery."
• Romney's assertion that Santorum is not conservative enough. "It is laughable for Romney to suggest that I am not conservative."
• Touted his link to southeast Michigan by saying his grandfather worked in the auto plants before he lost his job and moved to Pennsylvania.
• A pledge that he would repeal regulations that he said cost the economy $100 million a year.
• Cut the corporate tax from 35 to 17 percent, which "will bring back jobs" to southeast Michigan.
• Repeal Obamacare.
• Shrink the size of Washington, and the federal government, as he differentiated himself from Romney. "We don't need a better manger in Washington, we need fundamental change in Washington," he said.
• Said Ron Paul is "no conservative" and is teaming up with Romney to defeat him. "We don’t need the Ron Paul faction and the moderate establishment teaming up to attack the real conservative in this race," he said.
• Declared Iran a "real threat," and said "we need to keep an eye on them" and "sanction their nuclear program."
• Stated that he would eliminate every czar position in Washington.
• He urged those in attendance that, "We can do better, we must do better."

"Michigan is in the position where they have to decide between someone who supported everything Barack Obama supported on (cap and trade, government run health care and bailouts) or someone who stood tall when people were running for the hills when conservatives mettle was tested," he said.

State Rep. Arich Nesbitt, R-Kalamazoo, a Romney supporter, attended the speech and countered Santorum's portrayal of the former Massachusetts governor.

"Sen. Santorum is trying to cover up his own failed record in Washington, D.C.," said Nesbitt, who alleged that Santorum had a record of voting for bigger budgets and the so-called bridge to nowhere. "Gov. Romney, who had 800 vetoes of bills, turned a $3 billion deficit into a $2 billion rainy day fund and is somebody who is a turn around artist and able to add to the US economy and grow it."

Santorum's message resonated with St. Clair Shores resident Beverly Marshall, who plans on campaigning for him in the coming days.

"He touched on all the different viewpoints I am so concerned about in this country," she said. "He is the hope we need to turn this country around."