Rick Santorum jumps into 2012 presidential race

As he formally entered the 2012 presidential field Monday, former senator Rick Santorum joins those courting the Republican Party's socially conservative, evangelical base, a group that had supported former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee.

Santorum made his bid for the Republican nomination official during a rally in Somerset, Pa., where he told attendees he would work to repair damage the Obama administration has caused to the economic stability and moral culture of the country.

Santorum accused Democrats and the Obama administration of pushing through the 2010 health care law to make sure Americans stay dependent on the federal government.

"Why do you think they work so hard? Why do you think they were willing to break every rule? … Power," Santorum said. "Because they knew they would get you."

Huckabee's decision not to seek the nomination last month has prompted the contenders to seek out members of his grass-roots network, particularly those who helped propel him to his 2008 win in Iowa, site of the first nominating contest.

Ralph Reed, chairman of the Faith and Freedom Coalition, said Huckabee came closer than any candidate in recent history to uniting social conservatives, and in his absence, the vote will likely be split.

"I think (Santorum) has got a lot of support," Reed said. "I think he is going to make a real strong appeal to grass-roots, social conservatives. Especially since you start in Iowa, I think he's somebody to keep your eye on."

Santorum has visited Iowa 14 times this cycle, not counting a trip scheduled there Wednesday. Huckabee's name appeared more than a half-dozen times in a Santorum fundraising letter sent in the days following Huckabee's announcement.

Santorum also has taken up a favorite Huckabee target: Mitt Romney. In a May 17 fundraising letter titled "Obama's Running Mate, Mitt Romney," Santorum blasted the health care law that Romney signed when he was governor of Massachusetts as a "failed experiment."

Bob Vander Plaats, Huckabee's former Iowa state chairman in 2008, said Santorum, former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty, Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, former House speaker Newt Gingrich and businessman Herman Cain will all be competing for the same delegates.

Vander Plaats added that it could be Huckabee's 2008 rival who ends up benefiting from competition. "If any (of the candidates) effectively divide up that support, I could really see a Mitt Romney being the caucus winner because all he has to do is hold on to the support that he once had."

Santorum has won a series of conservative straw polls in key states. Most recently, he topped the competition in the New Hampshire Conservative Future PAC's straw poll on Sunday.