Santorum/Sharansky

The Jewish Exponent writes about the Santorum/Sharasky Middle East forum event last week.

But early in the evening, Santorum - first elected to the Senate in 1994 - did have some mild criticism for close ally and supporter President George W. Bush.

"The president describes it [the Islamist situation] as a war on terrorism, but terrorism is a tactic," he said. "It's like FDR saying we are making a war on Blitzkrieg. What we are fighting is Islamic fascists."

Like Bush, Santorum has of late been having a difficult time in the polls. The latest Quinipiac University Poll has Santorum trailing his Democratic challenger, State Treasurer Bob Casey, by 18 percentage points, with 12 percent undecided. That number is up from a 13 point deficit from a similar poll released on May 11.

Are such events designed to boost poll numbers and possible fiscal contributions, especially from the Jewish community?

"Look, we are in an election year. It is almost impossible to separate the so-called nonpolitical events from the political ones," replied Terry G. Madonna, director of the Center for Politics and Public Affairs at Franklin & Marshall College.

"Is there a political component? Of course," said Madonna, who's written extensively about Santorum's political career. But "that doesn't mean that he's not sincere in his beliefs" about and support for Israel. "If you look at his career, I think he is sincere."

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