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After garnering the support of conservatives nationwide for his presidential bid, Santorum then reverted to his prior habit of endorsing liberal Republicans.  He double-crossed conservative leaders by endorsing the [[RINO]], pro-[[Planned Parenthood]] [[Jon Bruning]] for the Republican nomination for [[U.S. Senate]] in [[Nebraska]] in 2012.<ref>http://atr.rollcall.com/nebraska-rick-santorum-backs-jon-bruning-for-senate/</ref>  Leading [[conservatives]], including [[Rand Paul]], [[Jim DeMint]] and [[Club for Growth]], have instead unanimously endorsed [[pro-life]] [[Don Stenberg]] in that race.  Santorum's candidate, Jon Bruning, then lost in a stinging upset defeat to a third candidate in the race.

After garnering the support of conservatives nationwide for his presidential bid, Santorum then reverted to his prior habit of endorsing liberal Republicans.  He double-crossed conservative leaders by endorsing the [[RINO]], pro-[[Planned Parenthood]] [[Jon Bruning]] for the Republican nomination for [[U.S. Senate]] in [[Nebraska]] in 2012.<ref>http://atr.rollcall.com/nebraska-rick-santorum-backs-jon-bruning-for-senate/</ref>  Leading [[conservatives]], including [[Rand Paul]], [[Jim DeMint]] and [[Club for Growth]], have instead unanimously endorsed [[pro-life]] [[Don Stenberg]] in that race.  Santorum's candidate, Jon Bruning, then lost in a stinging upset defeat to a third candidate in the race.

Endorsed by the [[pro-life]] [[Susan B. Anthony List|Susan B. Anthony]] organization,<ref>http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/02/17/susan-b-anthony-list-to-endorse-santorum/</ref> Santorum was a strong candidate in the [[2012 Republican Primary]]. After winning [[Louisiana]] on March 25, 2012 - his 11th victory in the primary race - the [[New York Times]] noted that "not since [[Ronald Reagan]] in 1976 has a conservative candidate won as many states as Santorum has."<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/25/us/politics/santorum-projected-winner-of-louisiana-primary.html?_r=1]</ref> He suspended his campaign on April 10, 2012, citing personal reasons.<ref>http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/04/10/santorum</ref>  

Endorsed by the [[pro-life]] [[Susan B. Anthony List|Susan B. Anthony]] organization,<ref>http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/02/17/susan-b-anthony-list-to-endorse-santorum/</ref> Santorum was a strong candidate in the [[2012 Republican Primary]]. After winning [[Louisiana]] on March 25, 2012 - his 11th victory in the primary race - the [[New York Times]] noted that "not since [[Ronald Reagan]] in 1976 has a conservative candidate won as many states as Santorum has."<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/25/us/politics/santorum-projected-winner-of-louisiana-primary.html?_r=1]</ref> He suspended his campaign on April 10, 2012, citing personal reasons.<ref>http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/04/10/santorum</ref>  

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In 2006 [[Bob Casey, Jr.]], the [[liberal]] son of a popular former Pennsylvania governor who had been [[pro-life]], defeated Santorum as part of a [[Democratic]] sweep in that election.  Casey subsequently endorsed pro-[[abortion]] [[Barack Obama]] for president in 2008, and supported [[Obamacare]] with the excuse that less poverty would reduce the demand for abortions.

In 2006 [[Bob Casey, Jr.]], the [[liberal]] son of a popular former Pennsylvania governor who had been [[pro-life]], defeated Santorum as part of a [[Democratic]] sweep in that election.  Casey subsequently endorsed pro-[[abortion]] [[Barack Obama]] for president in 2008, and supported [[Obamacare]] with the excuse that less poverty would reduce the demand for abortions.

2012 Presidential candidate [[Ron Paul]] has accused Santorum of being a "counterfeit conservative" due to his quick willingness to compromise (such as supporting [[George W. Bush]]'s [[Medicare Part D]], refusing to aggressively stand up against funding [[Planned Parenthood]], and support for increasing the [[Department of Education]]).<ref>http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-57383263-503544/santorum-fights-charges-hes-a-fake-conservative/</ref><ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgNJBdTaKE8</ref> Santorum also endorsed [[RINO]]-turned-[[Democrat]] Arlen Specter.<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/rick-santorums-greatest-sin-endorsing-arlen-specter/2012/02/24/gIQAD0sUXR_blog.html  "Rick Santorum’s greatest sin: Endorsing Arlen Specter" ''Washington Post'']</ref> Candidates [[Mitt Romney]] and [[Newt Gingrich]] have also criticized Santorum's record.

2012 Presidential candidate [[Ron Paul]] has accused Santorum of being a "counterfeit conservative" due to his quick willingness to compromise (such as supporting [[George W. Bush]]'s [[Medicare Part D]], refusing to aggressively stand up against funding [[Planned Parenthood]], and support for increasing the [[Department of Education]]).<ref>https://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-57383263-503544/santorum-fights-charges-hes-a-fake-conservative/</ref><ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgNJBdTaKE8</ref> Santorum also endorsed [[RINO]]-turned-[[Democrat]] Arlen Specter.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/rick-santorums-greatest-sin-endorsing-arlen-specter/2012/02/24/gIQAD0sUXR_blog.html  "Rick Santorum’s greatest sin: Endorsing Arlen Specter" ''Washington Post'']</ref> Candidates [[Mitt Romney]] and [[Newt Gingrich]] have also criticized Santorum's record.

On May 27, 2015, Santorum announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination in the [[2016 presidential election]].<ref>http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/05/27/santorum-set-to-announce-2016-plans-wednesday/</ref>

On May 27, 2015, Santorum announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination in the [[2016 presidential election]].<ref>http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/05/27/santorum-set-to-announce-2016-plans-wednesday/</ref>

==2012 Presidential Race==

==2012 Presidential Race==

On June 6, 2011,<ref>http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/06/us-usa-campaign-santorum-idUSTRE7551YL20110606</ref> Santorum announced his intention to run for the Republican Party nomination in the US Presidential election of 2012.<ref>http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0511/55772.html</ref>

On June 6, 2011,<ref>https://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/06/us-usa-campaign-santorum-idUSTRE7551YL20110606</ref> Santorum announced his intention to run for the Republican Party nomination in the US Presidential election of 2012.<ref>https://www.politico.com/news/stories/0511/55772.html</ref>

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In the [[Iowa]] caucuses, January 3, 2012, Santorum and [[Mitt Romney]] Fight to a Draw. In the first Republican contest of the season, the two candidates were separated by only a sliver of votes, offering Rick Santorum a chance to emerge as the alternative to Mitt Romney.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/04/us/politics/santorum-and-romney-fight-to-a-draw.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all Romney Wins Iowa Caucus by 8 Vote]</ref>  

In the [[Iowa]] caucuses, January 3, 2012, Santorum and [[Mitt Romney]] Fight to a Draw. In the first Republican contest of the season, the two candidates were separated by only a sliver of votes, offering Rick Santorum a chance to emerge as the alternative to Mitt Romney.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/04/us/politics/santorum-and-romney-fight-to-a-draw.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all Romney Wins Iowa Caucus by 8 Vote]</ref>  

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The Santorum family's struggle with the sadness of the loss of their son, and their decision to mourn the baby as a human being, served as an inspiration to other families struggling with the pain of losing a child. On the other hand, the criticism Santorum received from pro abortion journalists, such as liberal "gotcha reporter" Alan Colmes,<ref>http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=48506</ref> who accused Santorum of "playing" with his dead child's body, has been fierce. Public sentiment, however, is firmly in Santorum's column.<ref>http://www.nationalreview.com/media-blog/286998/alan-colmes-apologizes-rick-santorum-greg-pollowitz</ref>

The Santorum family's struggle with the sadness of the loss of their son, and their decision to mourn the baby as a human being, served as an inspiration to other families struggling with the pain of losing a child. On the other hand, the criticism Santorum received from pro abortion journalists, such as liberal "gotcha reporter" Alan Colmes,<ref>http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=48506</ref> who accused Santorum of "playing" with his dead child's body, has been fierce. Public sentiment, however, is firmly in Santorum's column.<ref>http://www.nationalreview.com/media-blog/286998/alan-colmes-apologizes-rick-santorum-greg-pollowitz</ref>

Santorum is a practicing Catholic.<ref>Sokolove, Michael. "The Believer." May 22, 2005. The New York Times Magazine. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/22/magazine/22SANTORUM.html</ref>

Santorum is a practicing Catholic.<ref>Sokolove, Michael. "The Believer." May 22, 2005. The New York Times Magazine. https://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/22/magazine/22SANTORUM.html</ref>

==Political Positions==

==Political Positions==