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Santorum Receives Latin Builders Association Endorsement

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Despite all of the media hype surrounding the battle between Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney; Rick Santorum has already won a state in the primary season and isn't ready to throw in the towel just yet.

Santorum was in Miami Friday to speak to the Latin Builders Association in an attempt to drum up some support for his campaign, which is a distant third to Romney and Gingrich respectively.

So far in the race, Santorum has been splitting the most conservative vote in the Republican Party with Newt Gingrich. However, Gingrich pulled ahead of Santorum in South Carolina and have proved to be the only contender to Mitt Romney left.

But Santorum isn't going down without a fight.

"We need someone who believes in the founding principles of this country," Santorum said, "and actually had a background to back that up and a vision to pull us together."

Santorum called Gingrich a good friend and complimented Romney as well. But he had a little bit different take on Congressman Ron Paul.

"Ron Paul certainly brings a unique perspective to the equation," Santorum said to laughter from the crowd.

Santorum attacked the corporate tax at one point in his speech to the Latin Builders Association. Santorum said he would cut the corporate tax rate in half and turn it into a net profit tax.

In a unique turn, at one point in the speech Santorum said that it wasn't Republicans who were in the pocket of big businesses.

"Barack Obama loves big business because he can have people from his administration in there telling him how to run their company," Santorum said.

The Latin Builders Association liked what they heard, because late Friday afternoon the LBA announced it was officially endorsing Santorum for president.

Santorum isn't expected to finish within striking distance of either Gingrich or Romney. He will face a decision after Florida as to how far to take his campaign. He's reportedly running low on money and without a way to win any more states; he may have to leave sooner, rather than later.

Once Santorum decides to leave the race, the biggest question will be whether he throws his support behind Romney or Gingrich.

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