Former Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum announced Friday he is forming Patriot Voices, a new grassroots advocacy group committed to advancing conservative ideals and dashing President Barack Obama's re-election hopes.
The 501(c)(4) non-profit organization will focus on "promoting faith, family, freedom and opportunity in accordance with the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights," the Patriot Voices website states.
"It's about the issues that will connect with ordinary Americans that feel left out of the process," Santorum said during his announcement of the group's formation on Fox News.
Santorum, a former Pennsylvania Senator, dropped out of the presidential race in April citing his youngest daughter Bella's health. Bella was born with Trisomy 18, also known as Edwards Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that is usually life threatening.
Patriot Voices will act as a means for the former candidate to remain active in political life. Many of the core values of the group mirror those espoused by Santorum during his campaign, including family values and a strong economy, the repeal of Obama's 2010 health care law, encouraging American business innovation, supporting U.S. troops worldwide and supporting pro-life causes.
"We stand for the defeat of Barack Obama and those who support his radical agenda. We cannot afford four more years of his disastrous policies," the mission statement highlights.
The ultimate goal of Patriot Voices is to amass a following of one million people before the November general election. As a social-welfare organization, the group is not legally allowed to stump for a candidate.
On the other hand, the group is allowed to make issue-oriented ads without naming a specific allegiance to a candidate and it will work closely with Santorum's own super PAC, the Red, White and Blue Fund.
Regardless of past disagreements between Santorum and presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney and the unusual endorsement Santorum buried in an April email to supporters, Patriot Voices is still clearly focused on a victory for the former Massachusetts governor.
by RTT Staff Writer
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