Santorum Serves Up Conservative Message in East Peoria
By: WMBD/WYZZ-TV
Updated: March 20, 2012
EAST PEORIA- Across the river hundreds of other Republican voters are throwing their support behind GOP hopeful Rick Santorum.
Monday night was all about pizza served with a big dose of conservative politics.
Davis Bros. Pizza in East Peoria played host to hundreds of avid Santorum supporters Monday night...
"We're voting for Santorum," says supporter John Pust.
And to those who still can't decide heading into Illinois' primary.
"That's why I'm here. I thought, what the heck, he's too close to pass up," says undecided voter Chris Brown.
Brown is worried about her grown kids, with full time jobs, paying for health insurance.
"They don't have any benefits, so it's a huge problem. I am very concerned about that," she says.
And it seemed Santorum could feel the frustration.
During his 45 minute speech, he vowed to follow a plan that allows people to rise in society, and create jobs that support families.
"That's the kind of America that built small towns across America, including Peoria. There are some who said those days are behind us, we'll never get those days back, They're just wrong," Santorum explains.
Some say Santorum's focus on family is why he's the one they want in office.
"He emphasizes what makes America strong is families and others haven't said that," adds Pust.
The presidential candidate is also drawing support from one of the most famous families in America, the Duggars, reality TV stars of The Learning Channel's "19 Kids and Counting".
"He's somebody running not for political gain for himself. He's somebody who doesn't take a poll to state what he believes in issues," says father of the Duggars, Jim Bob Duggar.
For others, what they want is plain and simple.
"Honesty," explains supporter Richard Heinz.
And Santorum says it's up to the people of Central Illinois to make their voices heard, saying, "For the next 24 hours do your duty, uphold your honor, fight for conservative cause and let's defeat Barack Obama in November."
Santorum was only able to secure 44 delegates heading into Tuesday's primary.
His campaign had trouble filing paper work.
Illinois offers 54 delegates.
Monday night was all about pizza served with a big dose of conservative politics.
Davis Bros. Pizza in East Peoria played host to hundreds of avid Santorum supporters Monday night...
"We're voting for Santorum," says supporter John Pust.
And to those who still can't decide heading into Illinois' primary.
"That's why I'm here. I thought, what the heck, he's too close to pass up," says undecided voter Chris Brown.
Brown is worried about her grown kids, with full time jobs, paying for health insurance.
"They don't have any benefits, so it's a huge problem. I am very concerned about that," she says.
And it seemed Santorum could feel the frustration.
During his 45 minute speech, he vowed to follow a plan that allows people to rise in society, and create jobs that support families.
"That's the kind of America that built small towns across America, including Peoria. There are some who said those days are behind us, we'll never get those days back, They're just wrong," Santorum explains.
Some say Santorum's focus on family is why he's the one they want in office.
"He emphasizes what makes America strong is families and others haven't said that," adds Pust.
The presidential candidate is also drawing support from one of the most famous families in America, the Duggars, reality TV stars of The Learning Channel's "19 Kids and Counting".
"He's somebody running not for political gain for himself. He's somebody who doesn't take a poll to state what he believes in issues," says father of the Duggars, Jim Bob Duggar.
For others, what they want is plain and simple.
"Honesty," explains supporter Richard Heinz.
And Santorum says it's up to the people of Central Illinois to make their voices heard, saying, "For the next 24 hours do your duty, uphold your honor, fight for conservative cause and let's defeat Barack Obama in November."
Santorum was only able to secure 44 delegates heading into Tuesday's primary.
His campaign had trouble filing paper work.
Illinois offers 54 delegates.
