Presidential candidate Rick Santorum spoke about limited government, repealing Obamacare, and the threats of radical Islam during a rally in Lenexa, Kan. on Wednesday. Santorum spoke at the rally, which took place at the warehouse of Harvest Grapes, to appeal to Kansas voters before the caucus this Saturday.
“We have a great opportunity in the next few weeks in this primary season to stand up to the establishment,” Santorum said. “And have an insurgent candidate, a candidate who speaks to the people, who comes out of working-people towns.”
Santorum emphasized his blue-collar roots and characterized his view of government as bottom-up instead of what he described as President Obama’s top-down approach. The candidate said the president only cared about making government bigger and making more people dependent on the president and the state. The candidate said this election was about freedom and called it the most important in American history.
“This is an election about what kind of country we are going to pass on to our children and grandchildren,” Santorum said. “If we don’t get it right, the idea that we can recapture freedom somewhere down the road — show me any civilization that’s been able to do that.”
Pledging to repeal the recent health care reform, the candidate even pulled a copy of the Constitution out of his pocket to demonstrate his dedication to freedom. Santorum then turned his attention to rival Mitt Romney, and compared the Massachusetts healthcare plan that Romney enacted as governor to the national healthcare reform.
Lasting just more than half an hour, Santorum rounded out his speech by speaking about the dangers of Iran’s radical theocracy and their pursuit of nuclear weapons. He also encouraged Kansans to turn out to vote.
“We’re committed to doing really well,” Santorum said. “And Kansas can lead the charge.”
Only a few college students attended the event. Rose Morris and Alex Contreras, freshmen from Raytown, Mo. who attend Longview Community College, came to hear the speech.
Contreras said he was still undecided on which candidate he was going to support, but said he came to the rally with an open mind. Now
Morris said she was concerned with government spending, especially on foreign wars. With many Santorum supporters sporting “Don’t believe the liberal media” signs, Morris felt that staying informed was important, regardless of one’s political beliefs.
“I think you have to research any of your views to see whether they’re true or not,” Morris said.