Since the Southern Republican Leadership Conference in New Orleans is being viewed as the unofficial kickoff of the Republican presidential campaign season, I’ve been keeping something of a running tally of who is planning on speaking at the event. The list of potential candidates appearing includes Romney, Palin, Pawlenty, Gingrich and now former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum:

“I am pleased to join the list of outstanding leaders who will speak at SRLC this year,” Santorum said. “We are at a turning point in American history: We can accept the liberal policies that have jeopardized American prosperity, or we can return to our roots of liberty and smaller government that have empowered Americans to achieve. SRLC will be an essential component in motivating leaders to take back our country.”