MASON CITY, Iowa — Rick Santorum isn't going down without a fight. In fact, that fight might be lifting him up.
The Republican presidential candidate who may have logged more miles than any other this year is more likely these days to grind it out on the campaign trail than trumpet the buzz he's stirring among Iowa's conservative voters ahead of next Tuesday's presidential caucuses.
There are hurdles. His cash-strapped campaign has only just started running TV ads, and his organization is small in a state whose contests rely on the ability of a candidate to turn out a slew of supporters.
Still, there's evidence that Iowa Republicans, many of whom are still undecided and looking for a conservative candidate, may be starting to give Santorum a look at just the right time.