Native Vote 2012

Editor's Note: During this election year, the Native News Network will cover the presidential election. Last evening, former US Senator Rick Santorum, one of the four remaining Republicans running for the GOP nomination, campaigned in West Michigan.

GOP Presidential Hopeful Santorum Stumps for Keystone XL Pipeline

Levi Rickert, editor-in-chief in Native Currents. Discussion »

Rick & Karen Santorum

GRAND RAPIDS - GOP presidential hopeful Rick Santorum visited three cities in West Michigan on Presidents' Day. He finished his day's campaigning at the Kent GOP 125th Lincoln Dinner at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in downtown Grand Rapids.

Prior to coming to Grand Rapids, Santorum spoke to crowds in Muskegon at the Holiday Inn and at Hope College in Holland.

He told the Lincoln Dinner crowd of Republican party faithful of close to 700 he respects their West Michigan work values.

He showed up right after dinner for a short speech wearing, what is becoming his trademark attire, a vest sweater. Surrounded by his wife, Karen and three of his children behind him, Santorum spoke for just under eight minutes.

During most of his short speech, he criticized the policies of President Barack Obama. He criticized Obama administration for even trying to tell Americans what type of light bulbs to use.

He also criticized President Obama's opposition of the Keystone XL pipeline, which is opposed by American Indians. Santorum criticized the Obama administration increased regulations of fracking.

Santorum never mentioned his rival former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney in his remarks, but concentrated only on criticizing President Obama.

“Whose side is he on? is the question,”

Santorum asked of President Obama.

“We need someone who's on your side.”

Earlier in the day, the Gallup poll showed the former US senator from Pennsylvania leading Mitt Romney by ten points. Romney visited Grand Rapids last week.

The Michigan presidential primary will be held on Tuesday, February 28. There are twelve federally recognized American Indian tribes in Michigan. It is not known how many will vote in the Republican primary.

posted February 21, 2012 6:00 am est