ABC News

The patriarch of the reality TV show "19 Kids and Counting," Jim Bob Duggar, turned up in Iowa today with 12 of his 19 children to rally for Rick Santorum, the Republican presidential candidate who has surged in polls ahead of the Iowa caucus.

At an event in Polk City, Iowa, Duggar, a former state representative in Arkansas, fired up the crowds and rallied for the former senator.

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Republicans are "not going to find a perfect candidate, unless it's Jesus Christ," Duggar said.

He took a shot at Mitt Romney for his Massachusetts health care plan that, he said, included a "$50 co-pay for abortions."

Duggar and the 12 kids showed up at Santorum's first event of the day in a bus wrapped with "Rick Santorum for President" signage. All week long, Santorum has been chauffeured around the state in a pick-up truck driven by one of his top Iowa supporters.

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Michelle Duggar is said to be recording robocalls for Santorum, who himself has seven children.

The event went over capacity as crowds stormed in to watch Santorum give his pitch with his wife and three of his children. A sign on the wall noted the room's capacity was 49, but there were at least 100 people in the restaurant.

One attendee was even overheard saying, "We love the Duggars but they aren't gonna fit."

Duggar endorsed and campaigned for Mike Huckabee in the same state in 2007.