Santorum: ‘It’s been an incredible ride’

by Elliot Smilowitz - 01/28/16 8:26 PM ET

Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum, the 2012 Iowa caucus-winner, on Thursday night touted his time spent in Iowa in his two White House runs — something seen as an acknowledgement by some that it is likely his final campaign is coming to a close.

“Over the last 5 years, I’ve done over 700 speeches and town-hall meetings all throughout the state of Iowa and it’s been an incredible ride,” the GOP hopeful said at Fox News’s undercard debate in Iowa.

{mosads}Still, the former Pennsylvania senator called on Hawkeye State voters to look beyond the polls and pick the candidate who is “best for this county.”

“You’re good people, you know good leaders, lead,” Santorum said.

“Pick the right person, not what the polls say, not who the money people give to, pick the leader you know is best for this country.”

Santorum, who has been polling in the single digits, has struggled to break out of a crowded GOP field while front-runners Donald Trump and Ted Cruz compete for the Hawkeye State lead just four days ahead of the Iowa caucuses.

Tags GOP debate Iowa Rick Santorum