Rick Santorum brought his surging presidential campaign to Georgia Sunday, emphasizing his conservative Christian message to 3,000 people at a Forsyth County church.
Santorum said afterward that he felt his candidacy is resonating with Georgia voters and that he was optimistic about his chances in the state primary March 6.
"We are working hard here," he told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. And as he shook hand after hand following a speech that drew several standing ovations, "Look at the reaction."
Speaking to an overflow crowd at First Redeemer Church, Santorum drew close connections between his political and religious beliefs.
"Look at this facility. It is exactly what made this country great," said the former U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania. "It celebrates faith, family and schools."
He added, "That's how we were built, from the bottom up. Great leadership, but not from Washington, D.C. From here."
Santorum never mentioned his fellow Republican candidates for the presidency, saving all his criticism for Barack Obama.
Emphasizing a message of limited government, he accused the current administration of stripping away people's personal liberties as it grew government and centralized power.
Americans understand that their rights come from God, not government, he said.
"All human life must be held sacred," he said, stirring a standing ovation.
He said the Obama administration wants to "disconnect us from our God-given rights."
He called the federal health care overhaul, which he deemed Obamacare, as an assault "to the very founational principals of our country. Government was taking more power and freedom from you, and giving them to a few elite snobs who think they know how to run your life."
The growing federal deficit is "destroying the future of our country," he said. "We're on the road to bankruptcy."
More than focusing on the problems with the economy, Santorum said he wanted to raise the discussion to more profound issues he believes are at risk in this country -- issues such as family values and the church and marriage.
He specifically addressed Georgia's importance among the contests on Super Tuesday.
"You've got the biggest delegate prize on Super Tuesday. What are you going to do?" He said.
He said he would "take on President Obama on issue-after-issue."
Of Obama, he said, "He doesn't think you're capable of freedom. He thinks you are not capable of choices. He thinks you're incompetent."
Richard Pettys Jr., 46, of Woodstock, said he believe Santorum would be a president who stands up for conservative Christian values.
"We need to put a conservative Christian in the White House," he said.
Santorum’s visit comes a week before the primary in Michigan, the home state of rival Mitt Romney, and about two weeks before the Georgia primary and multi-state contests of Super Tuesday on March 6.
Santorum is riding a surge in nationwide opinion polls, coming off consecutive wins in Colorado, Missouri and Minnesota. Pundits say he is experiencing his moment of favor in a Republican race that has seen several candidates rise and flame out. The question remains as to whether he can sustain the momentum.
His campaign has said that Georgia is “in play,” despite Newt Gingrich representing Georgia for 20 years in Congress, including his highest profile period as speaker of the House. Gingrich leads in the polls but Santorum has risen from third to second place in the latest poll, just nine points behind Gingrich.
Several of the Republican presidential hopefuls have focused attention on Georgia. Romney made a recent visit and a super PAC supporting him has purchased $1 million worth of television advertising here. Gingrich made a swing through the state this weekend, appearing with Herman Cain as he held town hall events in Forsyth and Gwinnett counties and rallied supporters in Cobb County.
Santorum has also launched a round of television advertising, spending $55,000 on a spot that will run on Fox News.
Romney retains the lead in the race for delegates with 123, with Santorum having 72 and Gingrich 32, according to the latest AP tally. But even President Barack Obama’s campaign team has acknowledged a shift in the Republican race and campaign officials said they are looking for strategies to employ against him.
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