Santorum in Iowa Says Obama Wants to Return to Days of Royalty

Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum, back in Iowa and campaigning on behalf of local Republicans Wednesday, said President Barack Obama wants to return to the days of royal rule.

"Obama believes America is a fundamentally flawed country that needs to be changed," he told the group of about 40 Black Hawk County Republicans. "If you had any doubts that this president wants to return to the days of King George III, look at the last couple of weeks. He wants to be slapping down the Constitution and the courts and ruling from on high."

He, and some of the candidates for the Iowa House and Senate that he appeared with, struck an urgent, at times bordering on apocalyptic, tone as they called on supporters to get out and campaign with vigor before the November election.

"If we fail, you’re going to have to look those little children - your grandchildren and children - in the eyes and explain why you gave up freedom," he said. "You have to be committed to the election. One hundred and nineteen days? Is that how long we have left before election day? That’s not a lot of time for you to devote to save your country."

Santorum, who , was the special guest at a breakfast reception for Walt Rogers, the Republican state representative for Cedar Falls, running for re-election against Democrat Bob Greenwood.

Rogers also spoke, along with other Black Hawk County candidates for the Iowa House including Lyn Tackett, district 61, Sandy Salmon, district 63, and James Kenyon, who seeks to represent the northern half of Cedar Falls for district 59.

Iowa Senate candidate Matt Reisetter, who is challenging Democratic incumbent Jeff Danielson, also spoke.

"Liberalism is cruelty cloaked in compassion," he said. "Most liberals I know don’t mean ill. They’re trying to do the right thing."

He said that Democrats do too much for people, which creates dependency and stops people from helping themselves out of poverty.

"The more we spend money, the more people just feel entitled to that," he said. "We’re real close to the tipping point where we don’t come back from that."

Santorum met privately with a small group of local Republicans before the public portion of the event at New Aldaya Lifescapes. The visit was part of his, "thank you" tour across the state.

Santorum campaigned heavily in Iowa before the Caucus, visiting each of . His win here helped propel him to the forefront of the slate of Republican presidential candidates.

The former senator will be making several other stops across the state today and tomorrow. Here is his schedule:

Today:

12 p.m. Rick Santorum will hold a thank you meet-and-greet BBQ luncheon for Iowa supporters in Iowa City.

Location:

Bella Sala, 3232 Jasper Avenue N.W., Iowa City

3 p.m.  Rick Santorum will be the special guest at a reception in support of Iowa congressional candidate John Archer.

Location: Home of Dr. Steven & Stacy Mack, Bettendorf

Wednesday, July 11:

11 a.m.  Rick Santorum will take part in a press conference with former Iowa RNC Committeewoman Kim Lehman, Iowa RNC Committeeman Steve Scheffler, and The Family Leader CEO Bob Vander Plaats.

Location: BioVenture Building, 2500 Crosspark Road, Coralville

5:30 p.m.  Rick Santorum will hold a thank you meet-and-greet BBQ picnic for Iowa supporters in Windsor Heights, IA.

Location: Colby Park, 6900 School St., Windsor Heights