ELECTION 2012:: At Arizona debate, Santorum to get his turn in spotlight – Reuters
By MB Snow at February 22, 2012 | 12:07 am | Print
(Reuters) – After months on the sidelines, Rick Santorum finally gets his chance at center stage in a debate of Republican candidates on Wednesday, and the increased scrutiny that comes with it.
Santorum is surging in opinion polls and is likely to face tough questions over some of his strong social conservative views when he, Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul gather for the 8 p.m. EST (0100 GMT Thursday) debate sponsored by CNN.
With March 6 “Super Tuesday” contests approaching, it may be the last major opportunity for all the candidates to make their case before a national audience on why they should be the Republicans’ choice to face Democratic President Barack Obama in the November 6 election.
Former Massachusetts Governor Romney, suddenly finding himself chasing Santorum after seemingly running as the inevitable nominee, needs a breakthrough performance to halt the former Pennsylvanian senator’s surge and restore luster to his own campaign.
Santorum needs to build on his momentum going into the Arizona and Michigan primaries on February 28 and pave the way for Super Tuesday, when 10 states hold contests.
via At Arizona debate, Santorum to get his turn in spotlight | Reuters.