Young interviewers drill Santorum; gain experience

by Laurel Kolacny
Presidency and the Press

Presidency and Press participants spent 15 minutes interviewing presidential hopeful Rick Santorum in Manchester, New Hampshire, Monday morning.

Bea Brittan was able to squeeze in a question. “My heart was racing,” she said. “I honestly couldn’t remember what he said until I played it back to myself.”

Will Welch said, “It was a new experience. I hope there are similar opportunities in the future.”

The interviews took place after Santorum gave a brief presentation at his Manchester headquarters. Santorum opened with a message of thanks and then identified himself as running a “grassroots, people-oriented” campaign.

Although Santorum admits he is low in the polls, he compares campaigning to building a house.

“We’re building a solid foundation,” said Santorum. “That superstructure’s going to start to go up as we get closer to the February caucuses and primaries.”

Santorum faced a demanding, eager crowd of students. He answered several questions ranging from his family’s influence on his campaign to how he intends to sway voters.

Conference attendees furiously jotted down Santorum’s words as cameras flashed and video tapes rolled.

Student Gianna Cacciatore was unable to question the former senator and relived the event by stating, “I was a little bummed, but people asked other really good questions. It was an awesome experience.”

The future presidential prospect will keep “chugging along” on his tour, and the “Little Engine that Could” crusade will continue to travel around New Hampshire.