DUQUESNE, Pa., April 16 (UPI) -- Democrats are hoping U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum's sagging popularity will spell the end to his political life, but he's known as a come-from-behind campaigner.
The Washington Post reports Santorum, R-Pa., is facing more obstacles than usual, including an opponent who has the same level of name-recognition as he does.
The Post reported a recent campaign photo op in Duquesne, Pa., that featured Santorum packing food for distribution to thousands of low-income Pennsylvanians failed to generate media interest. But Santorum spokeswoman Virginia Davis said a KDKA-TV, Pittsburgh, crew did show up and a clip made it to the air.
Santorum is seen as closely aligned with President Bush, whose approval rating has dipped to 38 percent. He has been criticized for a book he wrote that appeared to take swipes at public schools and working mothers. Voters may also hold his family history against him.
He endured widespread criticism when it was learned that the state paid about $70,000 in 2004 to educate his children at their home in Leesburg, Va.
His Democratic opponent, State Treasurer Bob Casey Jr., is ahead in the polls, has rejected calls for dozens of debates and declined to detail his positions on certain issues.
