Santorum to Iowa diners: 'We've got momentum'

A local resident looks at a campaign pamphlet as Republican presidential candidate, former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum speaks during a town hall meeting at the Fort Dodge GOP Headquarters, Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2011, in Fort Dodge, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

A local resident looks at a campaign pamphlet as Republican presidential candidate, former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum speaks during a town hall meeting at the Fort Dodge GOP Headquarters, Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2011, in Fort Dodge, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

INDEPENDENCE, Iowa (AP) ? Republican hopeful Rick Santorum is claiming momentum heading into the Iowa caucuses.

The former U.S. senator from Pennsylvania mingled with 25 people at a diner in Independence, Iowa, and touted his plan to give a tax break to businesses that move their operations back to the United States.

He has lagged in the polls but Santorum told diners Wednesday that things are going great and his campaign has momentum.

Santorum has been arguing that he's the most consistent conservative in the field. He's making that case in a new radio ad that began airing Wednesday and will run through next Tuesday's caucuses. The spot touts his hardline opposition to abortion and describes him as a "father of seven, a home-schooler and a devoted husband for 21 years."

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/89ae8247abe8493fae24405546e9a1aa/Article_2011-12-28-Santorum/id-cf9c646c8a1e4231b478ba82f8e8e065

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