Fox News anchor Bill Hemmer, who co-moderated Thursday night’s Republican presidential “undercard” debate, had candidate Rick Santorum tied in knots over GOP front-runner Donald Trump.
Hemmer asked Santorum whether he was preparing to drop out of the race if he fails to do well in the Iowa caucuses next week. Santorum went on a screed against the news media’s campaign coverage, including Fox News coverage, for paying too much attention to “entertainer” Trump and undermining the lower-polling candidates.
But, as Hemmer noted, Santorum is set to join Trump at an event after the debate, which is being billed by Trump’s campaign as a fundraiser for military veterans.
Santorum stumbled to explain that he had “time” after the debate to help veterans while also accusing Hemmer of focusing on “politics.”
“You know, this again, more of the politics of trying to get people to throw stuff at each other,” he said.
Santorum suggested in a recent interview with USA Today that he might withdraw from the race after the Iowa caucuses if he felt that it was “in the best interest of our country.”
Santorum also wrote this week on his Facebook account that he “can’t stand the media” and referenced the interview with USA Today.
