Santorum Rips Paul at Stop in Cedar Falls

Presidential hopeful Rick Santorum told voters during a stop in Cedar Falls that they should choose him over Ron Paul, who is polling high in Iowa.

He defied them to find anything the Texas Congressman has been able to get through Congress.

"I think the more Iowans look at Ron Paul the less attractive he will become," he said, criticizing claims Paul would cut one trillion dollars from the federal deficit in the first year. "No president can cut one trillion dollars. The congress has to pass that. You show me any indication Ron Paul's been able to pass anything through Congress in 20 years."

Santorum implored voters at Tuesday to shock the world by choosing a true conservative.

"Don't defer your judgement to national polls or national pundits," he said. "None of the polls matter until you vote. Use your heart, use your head and then lead."

The former Pennsylvania senator was likely referring to his own poll numbers, which are well behind Iowa front runners Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney and Paul.

He said people say they need to elect someone who can win, but that doesn't have to mean someone who is moderate and willing to apologize for what they believe in.

"Is a moderate what the country needs?" he said. "You in Iowa, you can shock the world. You can put someone out there that shows a clear contrast."

More than 60 people crowded into the shop's to hear Santorum speak. Many said they had not yet made up their mind who to caucus for next week.

"I feel convicted to vote for the right person, regardless of the politics," Judy Stumme, 65, of Cedar Falls, said. She was fairly sure she would caucus for Santorum, but wasn't ready to say there was no way she would change her mind.

Duane Wessels, 75, of Waterloo, felt the same.

"There are a lot of good candidates running," he said. "I get a lot of phone calls (from campaigns) asking who I'm voting for. I say I haven't decided, but I'll probably vote for Mr. Santorum."

He said he likes Santorum's, "realness of character."

Ross Hannam, 28, of Waterloo, wasn't ready to committ to any candidate. That's why he was at the meet-and-greet.

"I try to get the voice of all the candidates who come through town," he said.

He said before making up his mind, he's going to do some serious thinking this week

"I just don't know. Maybe it will hit me one of the these days," he said.

Santorum also criticized President Obama's handling of affairs in the Middle East, saying Obama should have helped protestors in Iran rather than in Egypt, where the leadership was allied with the United States.

"He sides against our friend and with the protestors, with what now turns out to be the Muslim Brotherhood," he said.

Santorum was introduced by Iowa State Representative Walt Rogers, of Cedar Falls. Rogers is a friend of Scratch owner Natalie Brown and organized the visit, Brown said.

"The topic is job creation. Now with the new location, I'm considered part of that," she said.

After ordering red velvet and peanut butter cup flavored cupcakes, Santorum shook hands and chatted with crowd members before making his way to the door, boxed cupcakes in hand. He had a tight schedule to keep, with a rally at the Waterloo Center for the Arts at 6 p.m. and a possible appearance at Tony's La Pizzeria planned later tonight.