Santorum Complains Networks Pay Too Much Attention To Trump And Not Him

Rick Santorum argues a point as Carly Fiorina listens during a Republican presidential primary debate, Thursday, Jan. 28, 2016, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
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Former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA) kicked off Fox News’ undercard debate Thursday by complaining about Fox News’ lack of promotion for the undercard debate in favor of covering Donald Trump’s decision to boycott the main debate later that evening.

“You know, listening to what your network was talking about prior to this debate, reminded me of the coverage that many on this floor are getting. This debate was called the undercard debate. The undercard debate,” Santorum, who squeaked out a win in Iowa in 2012, said with disgust. “It wasn’t advertised significantly. In fact, the entire hour lead-up to this, there was no conversation about any of the four people on this debate stage.”

He said the lack of coverage for the debate was part of a broader problem where he was not getting enough attention and being left out of the polls.

“In fact, they put a poll up from Wall Street Journal/NBC news, they listed the candidates. They failed to mention — I wasn’t listed I got zero,” Santorum said. “Why? Because the NBC/Wall Street Journal poll never includes my name on the list.”

He said instead the media was talking about the “entertainer.”

“Ladies and gentlemen, you have a chance on Monday to put the record straight about who you want, not who will entertain you but who will fight for what you believe in. I hope you do it,” Santorum said.

He was pressed to call out Trump by name. Santorum did, criticizing the lead-up coverage being about Trump instead of the issues Iowans “care a lot about,” like the Islamic State and agriculture.

“We are not hearing any of those things. We are hearing about whether someone is going to show up for the next debate or not,” Santorum said.

Moderator Bill Hemmer pointed out that Santorum is attending the event Trump set up as an alternative to the main debate, which is ostensibly dedicated to veterans.

“Are you laying the groundwork for maybe your future, perhaps an endorsement of Mr. Trump?” Hemmer asked.

Santorum said there were no political considerations in his plans to attend the event and that he didn’t intend “to throw mud at anybody on the stage later.”

“I had some time because I’m not doing anything at 9:00 tonight,” Santorum said of accepting the invitation to the event.

“If I could help raise money for veterans? And the answer was yes, I would. And so I’m going,” he said.

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