Santorum Speaks In Benton Township

Former Pennsylvania Senator and presidential candidate Rick Santorum addressed the Economic Club of Southwestern Michigan on Tuesday night in Benton Township. He talked about why he felt compelled to pursue a campaign for the White House despite the odds having been stacked against him, saying that he considers this a pivotal crossroads for America -- "the most consequential election since 1860." Santorum told the crowd that a loss of traditional values that built America to what it is can be blamed for the troubles facing the country right now, suggesting that we should be guided mainly by two documents -- the Constitution, and the Declaration of Independence, which laid out the government's duty to protect its citizens and their God-given rights. Santorum pointed to the country's recent position on the world stage, saying that current leadership doesn't believe the US should dominate, and instead merely serve as "another hand at the table," which is why he believes there's been so much unrest in the Middle East. He also said that those who are more successful in the US tend to be those who live by traditional values, and suggested that they try to form policies so as to guide others into living like them. On hand for Tuesday's speech was US Senate candidate Pete Hoekstra, for whom Santorum stumped earlier in the day.