In an interview with D.C. newspaper The Hill, Rick Santorum — a former Pennsylvania senator and possible contender for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination — says based on the reception he’s received on his numerous visits to Iowa, he believes he could surprise everyone with a win in the first-in-the-nation caucuses. The Hill depicts Santorum’s 2012 chances in Iowa’s caucuses as a dependent on which other socially conservative candidates enter the race, such as U.S.
“„… He faces a crop of candidates who are better-known and likely to have deep fundraising pockets, and who will command much more press attention.
“„“It’s been the same in every single race I’ve ever run,” said a smiling Santorum, noting with satisfaction that he won his House race two decades ago in what turned out to be one of the biggest upsets of the cycle. “People underestimate me. Can’t say it’s ever bothered me, though.”