GOP Presidential Candidate Rick Santorum Campaigns In Tulsa

Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum was in Oklahoma Thursday looking to build on his momentum, two days after his stunning sweep in Colorado, Minnesota, and Missouri.

Santorum spoke Thursday morning at an event in Oklahoma City then traveled to Tulsa for a town hall meeting Thursday afternoon at ORU's Mabee Center.

The town hall meeting in Tulsa got started late so medical crews could treat a man in the crowd with a health condition.

Santorum got a big applause when he talked about our rights in the US Constitution.  He also told those gathered why he was in the race for president.

"I wouldn't be in this race if it wasn't for Obamacare," said Rick Santorum.

2/7/2012 Related Story: Presidential Candidate Rick Santorum Makes Tulsa Stop

He made aclear contrast between him and President Obama on just about every issue,including energy.

"Imaginewhat's going to happen to our oil industry in this country. Folks, we need tohave a President that's on your side. That's on the side of affordableenergy," he said.

The college-aged voters said they like what they heard.

"Right now, I'm really disappointed in our country's leadership," said Lydia Blossom, ORU sophomore.

"The three wins he just had really gave him a lot of momentum and that really encouraged me," said ORU freshman Ashton Loehr.

The Oklahoma GOP is sponsoring Santorum's visit, by chairman Matt Pinnell said the party's involvement is not an endorsement. The party has extended invitations to all GOP presidential candidates.

Oklahomans will vote in the presidential primary on March 6, 2012.

Friday, Rick Santorum will join Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul at the Conservative Political Action Conference or CPAC in Washington, DC.

The annual event attracts thousands of conservatives from around the country.