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Rick Santorum joins crowded Republican field for president Rick Santorum joins crowded Republican field for president
(about 2 hours later)
Rick Santorum, a Christian conservative who came second in the 2012 Republican primaries, has launched a second campaign for the US presidency.Rick Santorum, a Christian conservative who came second in the 2012 Republican primaries, has launched a second campaign for the US presidency.
Mr Santorum is expected to formally launch his campaign on Wednesday at an event in his home state, Pennsylvania.Mr Santorum is expected to formally launch his campaign on Wednesday at an event in his home state, Pennsylvania.
The former senator won several key races in 2012, emphasising social issues like abortion and gay marriage.The former senator won several key races in 2012, emphasising social issues like abortion and gay marriage.
But he may have trouble standing out in the crowded the field of 2016 Republican candidates.But he may have trouble standing out in the crowded the field of 2016 Republican candidates.
Mr Santorum will compete against candidates like former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, Texas Senator Ted Cruz and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, who have all been actively courting Mr Santorum's base of socially conservative and religious voters.Mr Santorum will compete against candidates like former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, Texas Senator Ted Cruz and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, who have all been actively courting Mr Santorum's base of socially conservative and religious voters.
The sheer number of candidates for the White House has created logistical issues for debate moderators.The sheer number of candidates for the White House has created logistical issues for debate moderators.
Analysis: Anthony Zurcher, BBC Washington
If history were a good judge, Rick Santorum's 2012 second-place campaign performance should have left him well positioned for a 2016 bid to capture the party's top prize.
Mitt Romney went from runner-up in 2008 to nominee in 2012. John McCain took silver in 2000 and gold in 2008. George HW Bush, Bob Dole, even Ronald Reagan - all turned earlier losing efforts into eventual Republican nominations.
And yet Mr Santorum is already being treated by much of the media as a 2016 also-ran, and he registers toward the bottom of the pack in polls and money raised.
In early appearances he's tried to blend his trademark evangelical conservatism with foreign policy experience gained during his tenure in the Senate and a blue-collar pitch to working Americans. It's a combination that could distinguish him in this crowded field - but he's up against a formidable assortment of well-funded fresh faces and established names this time around.
Fox News, which will host the first Republican debate, has decided to the limit the field to 10, based the candidates' standings in recent national polls.Fox News, which will host the first Republican debate, has decided to the limit the field to 10, based the candidates' standings in recent national polls.
Mr Santorum, who would just qualify for the debate based on recent polling, took issue with the Fox News decision, calling it arbitrary.Mr Santorum, who would just qualify for the debate based on recent polling, took issue with the Fox News decision, calling it arbitrary.
Mr Santorum said his experience on the campaign trail would be invaluable in his current bid.
He pointed to former President Ronald Reagan and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney as examples of candidates who excelled in their second campaigns.