Rick Santorum Hoping To Grab Support From "Guy In The Middle"

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – A lot of political analysts will say the Republican party loses the "PR war" when it comes to winning the hearts of the average worker.

And former Republican presidential contender Rick Santorum says those critics may be right.

"I don't think the image of the party, and I would argue, justifiably so, is that we are looking out for the guy in the middle, for the guy who is trying to make ends meet," Santorum said.

That is one of the themes former Pennsylvania Senator and Republican Presidential candidate Santorum is espousing these days, as he contemplates another run for the presidency.

In several weeks, a new book by Santorum, "Blue Collar Conservatives," will be released and in it Santorum says the mindset, not only for his party, but for the country must change.

"We are not doing people any favors by encouraging them not to work and paying them not to work," Santorum said. "We need to create an economy that encourages work and allows people to move up the economic ladder by doing so."

But to work, one must have a job and Santorum says changes must be made in the tax code to encourage businesses to invest in people – and not invest in capital.

He is also critical of the Obama administration's foreign policy. He says there is a change that needs to be made.

"Making sure that our enemies know we are serious, that we are going to speak softly and carry a big stick," he said. "Instead, we speak loudly and carry a toothpick."

And if it sounds like Santorum is running again:

"It's a little too early to make any decisions, but you really can't make any decisions unless you put yourself in a position to make a decision, and we're certainly doing that," he said.

Santorum has been traveling to Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina to name a few.

Sounds like he is running and even though he lost two years ago, he is encouraged by how well he did.

"Came close," he said. "With a couple of state, just a little, little change in votes, I might not be sitting here with you. But that is an encouragement to me that the message that we had and the vision that we were providing and the record that I have, is something that was attractive to folks, that we should look at this again."

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