Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum often attacks rival Mitt Romney for his moderate past. But Santorum's own record on fiscal issues isn't that of an anti-government purist. As a Senator, Santorum regularly sent out press releases, many of them jointly with moderate Republican Arlen Specter, on his successful effort to bring federal dollars to Pennsylvania.
The press releases from Santorum, accessed via the Web Archive, show just how often the Senator actively touted earmarks he was able to receive for the people of Pennsylvania. In one period, between November 22 and November 24, 2004 Santorum sent out 18 press releases with Arlen Specters office highlighting federal funding for "Pennsylvania Projects" all across the state included in the fiscal year 2005 Omnibus Appropriations Bill.
Many of the releases from Santorum's office highlighted his ability to get Pennsylvania pet projects included in appropriations bills. Between June 22 and June 24, 2004 Santorum sent out 9 press releases with Senator Specter, this time on funding for Pennsylvania pet projects included in the 2005 Defense Appropriations Bill.
The archives highlight the period between 2002 and 2005, and largely focus on the awarding of federal funding to Pennsylvania. A search finds more than one hundred instances of the use of the word "funding". In a Republican primary so focused on the Federal deficit, these are some of Santorum's contributions to it.