Santorum Makes Impression on Diner Patrons

Just two days after announcing his candidacy for the Republican nomination in the 2012 Primary Election, Rick Santorum was in New Hampshire campaigning on June 8, stopping early in the afternoon at Joey's Diner in Amherst.

Santorum, a former senator from Pennsylvania, visited with patrons of the diner before sitting down to a quiet lunch with a small group of people, including former Nashua Mayor Bernie Streeter.

One patron, Denise Smith of Pelham, told Santorum as he shook her hand that she stopped at the diner because she saw on the sign out front that he would be there at 12:30.

She was in town taking her son to the pediatrician and settled on lunch at the diner in hopes she'd have the opportunity to meet him, she said.

Other diners said they had no idea Santorum would be visiting, but were glad they were there to meet him.

After meeting Santorum and observing his interaction with other patrons in the restaurant, Brittany Adams of Greenville said she was "really impressed" with Santorum and his ability to talk with people on a very personal level.

Adams, a registered Independent, said she was glad she'd stumbled upon this visit and Santorum had "good charisma and people skills."

"The question is, is he going to be able to fulfill all of his promises," Adams said.
She said she feels like President Barack Obama made a lot of promises during his campaign in 2008 that he hasn't followed through on. 

"For me, it's about the person, not the party," Adams said.

Charlotte Little of Milford, who was dining with Adams, said one thing she's looking for from candidates is where they stand on the budget in terms of programs like Medicare and other money available for people with disabilities.
Little said she works with a woman who is physically and emotionally handicapped and she's concerned about what may happen to the money that supports this woman and other people like her.

Also worried about the budget, and the future of Medicare and Social Security, was a foursome of diners who spoke at length with Santorum about his views on the issue.

Ed Dalton of Windham said he's concerned that these funds could disappear and being someone who's paid into Social Security his whole life, he thinks it's a program that should be continued. Dalton said he's looking out for others who should have the opportunity to collect their own Social Security.

Ellen Barr of Nashua said she's concerned about her own son, in his 30s, and his friends who "deserve to have that safety net when they retire."

She said she and Dalton, Sylvia Lundberg of Nashua, and Priscilla Bernasconi of Merrimack are spreading the word about the importance of keeping Social Security alive and well.

"We're fighting for you," Barr said. "It upsets us that young people don't think Social Security will be there for them."

The foursome, who were there as part of a campaign for Social Security with the Granite State Organizing Project, had mixed reviews about Santorum.

Bernasconi said she appreciated that Santorum was there answering questions, but Barr said while he had answers for them, he was very skilled at turning those answers into something from his own agenda.

Dalton said no matter what they said to Santorum, he had his own spin for it. 
What's important to Dalton, Barr, Bernasconi and Lundberg, is to keep Social Security alive.

People who live only on Social Security are living below the poverty level as it is, Dalton said. 

"I just recently became involved with the Social Security project because it means a great deal to me," Dalton said.