"You recommend to the nation who you believe, not what the pollsters believe, not what the pundits believe, but who you believe having researched and questioned these candidates more than any other group of America will," he said in Sioux City yesterday. "You suggest who you think the best person is to lead this country."
Santorum also is making what could be construed as a criticism of Romney, who Republicans have yet to rally around because some fear he's not conservative enough.
"Don't settle for less than what this country needs," he said in Indianola on Dec. 31, adding that it might not be a real victory if the person who wins the nomination "may not do what's necessary to make the changes that we need."
As Santorum has edged higher in polls, he has drawn challenges from his rivals, especially Perry.
'Real Differences'
During a Dec. 31 stop at a restaurant and sports bar in Boone, Iowa, Perry said there were "real differences" between the two men on fiscal issues.
He specifically cited Santorum's repeated votes to raise the federal debt ceiling while in the Senate and his use of earmarks for projects in Pennsylvania, which Perry said presented a "fleecing" of taxpayers.
In a Dec. 29 Fox News interview, Santorum defended his use of earmarks while in Congress.
"I'm proud of the money that I did set aside for things that were priorities in my state," he said.
Unlike Romney and Paul, who have flooded Iowa's airwaves with commercials, Santorum has spent relatively little on advertising.
"I know all the campaigns say they need your help," he said in Indianola. "They're lying. I need your help. I'm not the one running two or three or five million dollars worth of television."
Fundraising Pickup