This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, Feb. 2, 2012 - A "super PAC'' aiding Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum has begun running ads in Missouri, in hopes of boosting his chances in next Tuesday's non-binding Republican presidential primary in the state.
The "Red White and Blue Fund" has produced and paid for the ad called "Trust."
According to the PAC's release, the ad "highlights Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum's record versus President Barack Obama's agenda and positions Santorum as the candidate who can stop the Obama agenda."
The Wall Street Journal reportsthe ad is running only in southwest Missouri, a Republican stronghold. But the PAC hints in its release that more ads may be coming to the state before Tuesday.
"Missouri is important because it is a state where Rick Santorum already holds a strong lead and where the ballot matchup is essentially Santorum versus Romney for the first time," said PAC advisor Stuart Roy.
Roy is referring to a recent poll by Public Policy Polling, a respected independent polling firm, that shows Santorum with a significant leadover Republican presidential frontrunner Mitt Romney among Missouri GOP voters.
Santorum was helped by the fact that rival Newt Gingrich won't be on Missouri's primary ballot next week; Gingrich didn't file because the primary does not award any delegates. The delegates will be awarded during the state's caucuses, which begin March 17.
The Santorum campaign noted the huge crowd in St. Charles Countythat greeted the former U.S. senator from Pennsylvania during his visit Monday. He was the first GOP presidential candidate to campaign publicly in Missouri.
"We are realistic about the challenge ahead," said PAC advisor Stuart Roy in a statement. "To defeat Obama in November means you have to have principles, a proven record and be a consistent conservative. The only candidate who fits that bill is Rick Santorum."
