In Harrisburg, Santorum talks presidential bid

Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum met Tuesday with top state Republicans and supporters in Harrisburg to discuss a possible 2016 campaign for the White House, the latest sign that he wants another shot after finishing second to GOP nominee Mitt Romney three years ago.

The 60-person conclave at the Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association was arranged by Frederick W. Anton, the advocacy group's president and a pillar of the state Republican establishment, and was marked by 90 minutes of give and take.

"I talked about the future of the conservative movement, and where the Republican Party has to be in terms of addressing the concerns of ordinary Americans," Santorum said later. "We need to get America working, start uniting people."

Though he became well-known as an opponent of abortion and same-sex marriage, Santorum has spent the last couple of years stressing the need for conservatives to reach out to working-class voters with policies to restore U.S. manufacturing and address income inequality. He is one of the few GOP leaders backing a minimum wage hike, for instance.

He said Tuesday he has not made a "final call" about the race, but things appear to be coming together.

Santorum also has invited about two dozen former advisers for a "private briefing" on his plans in Washington next Tuesday. The meeting is scheduled to be held at American Continental Group, a lobbying and public-affairs firm, according to an e-mail invitation circulated by Matt Beynon, a spokesman for Santorum's 2012 presidential campaign.

Santorum won four million votes and carried primaries or caucuses in 11 states, making him the last Republican standing against Romney. A favorite of grassroots conservatives who mistrusted the former venture capitalist and Massachusetts governor, Santorum dropped out of the race in April, just before the Pennsylvania primary.

If he runs, the campaign would be much less centered on social issues, Santorum said. He talked about manufacturing and the working class last time, but those themes were sometimes overshadowed.

"Everybody knows where I am on those issues," he said in the interview. "I have established the run, if you will, and so now I can go to the passing game - focus on the economic message."

If he jumps in, Santorum could face a crowd of competitors for the votes of the social conservatives that launched him in 2012, starting with a come-from-behind win in the Iowa caucuses. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, a Baptist preacher, recently quit his Fox News show to explore a campaign. Huckabee won Iowa in 2008 with overwhelming backing from social conservatives.

Ben Carson, a neurosurgeon and conservative pundit, and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz also have appeal on the right. "Last time around there were a lot of people in my space, and I expect there would be in 2016," Santorum said.

At the time Santorum dropped out in 2012, much of Pennsylvania's GOP hierarchy was for Romney, and polls suggested the former senator was a heavy underdog. He represented the state in the Senate from 1995 to 2007, and held a suburban Pittsburgh House seat for four years before that.

On Tuesday, Santorum traveled to Harrisburg to watch state lawmakers take their oaths of office. In particular, he celebrated the ascension of his friend State Sen. Jake Corman (R., Centre) to majority leader, and also House Speaker Mike Turzai, a protégé.

Santorum's political career began as an aide to Corman's father, former State Sen. Doyle Corman, when he was a Pennsylvania State University undergraduate.

"It was great being back in Harrisburg - lots of fun," Santorum said.

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@tomfitzgerald www.philly.com/bigtent