Washington, DC - During an appearance on the Fox News Channel tonight, former Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) announced he is taking the next step in a possible run for president in 2012: the formation of a presidential testing-the-waters effort. 

"In 2008 Americans wanted a president who they could believe in, but after two years they realized that what they needed is a president who believes in them," said Senator Santorum.  "It's time for America to be America again -- an America that rewards innovation and hard work, that stands by our allies instead of our enemies, that protects even the most vulnerable of our society, and an America that says every life is to be cherished.  That is what I believe in, and that's why I'm taking this next step in a possible run for president."

Senator Santorum has visited Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina nearly 40 times, and he heads back to New Hampshire tomorrow.  He has hired staff in both Iowa and New Hampshire and won the presidential straw poll in Greenville County, SC last weekend with 31% of the vote.

This testing-the-waters account, which is named the Rick Santorum Exploratory Committee, has been established to allow Senator Santorum to raise funds for the purpose of determining if he will formally become a candidate.