A Tennessee winner? Rick Santorum's making a run

Knoxville News Sentinel ^ | 2/22/12 | Michael Collins

[SmithL]

Leading in a number of national polls, Rick Santorum is moving quickly to put in place a formal campaign operation in Tennessee as the state prepares to take its turn in the fight for the GOP presidential nomination.

In just the past couple of weeks, the former U.S. senator from Pennsylvania has opened campaign offices in Knoxville and Johnson City and has tapped Knoxville native Jon Parker as his state field director.

Last weekend, volunteers manning a phone bank in Johnson City called thousands of voters across the state to firm up support for the candidate and spread his message of conservatism and family values. Supporters also are planning door-to-door campaigns in several parts of the state this weekend.

Santorum himself will return to the state Saturday when he headlines a tea party event in Chattanooga.

"We're hard at work," said Parker, who is coordinating the grassroots, volunteer network already working on Santorum's behalf. "I would imagine you will start seeing an awful lot of signs going up out there very shortly as you drive around."

Voters in Tennessee and nine other states will cast their ballots for president in the Super Tuesday primary on March 6. While most of the national attention will focus on potential swing states like Ohio and Virginia, state officials say the hard-fought battle for the GOP nomination gives Tennessee its best opportunity in years to be a real player in the presidential contest.

"Just looking back on history, I think it has been a long time since Tennessee had a strong voice in choosing the Republican nominee," said Chris Devaney, chairman of the Tennessee Republican Party.

[DesScorp]

Go Rick! Give Mittens a knockout punch!

[Tennessee Nana]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

They havent called me...