Santorum: I've Fought for Conservative Issues

was temporarily transformed into "Santorum Country" yesterday as lawn stakes peppered the grassy islands at the entrance of the airport, cars adorned electronic Santorum signs, self-proclaimed Santorum "roadies" sold campaign buttons on the perimeter of the staging area and about 50 home-schooled children stood on stage behind the former Pennsylvania congressman as he spoke to an audience of about 200 people in Brookhaven.

Standing with a miniature version of the U.S. Constitution in his right hand and the mic in the other, Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum said he was the only true conservative candidate that could mark a clear contrast between himself and President Obama in the November election.

And while the political bickering fueled by negative campaign ads clutter the airwaves and newspapers, Santorum said he wouldn't engage because only good ideas mattered on Election Day.

"Even though we're being outspent, we're still doing well," he said. "Why? Because we stand for a positive vision for the country. ... We need someone who can stand up and say we have a candidate who, throughout their career, has not only checked the box on conservative issues but has fought for conservative issues."

Santorum, with his oldest daughter Elizabeth by his side, offered his own views on government, family, strong communities and creating jobs through domestic manufacturing.

It's important to have "opportunities in the country for people to pull themselves up to become successful and not have to rely on the government."

Santorum visited Dalton earlier in the day in his last attempt a Georgia voters for the state's Super Tuesday primary next week.