Rick Santorum's daughter Bella "improving"

By: Lindsey Boerma
Topics: Campaign 2012

Elizabeth Santorum, eldest daughter of Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum, campaigns for her father in a hanger at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport in Sarasota, Fla., Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012.

(Credit: AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

SARASOTA, Fla. - Rick Santorum will return to the campaign trail "as soon as he can," his oldest daughter Elizabeth told reporters Sunday. But over the weekend he remained with his youngest daughter Isabella, 3, who was admitted to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia on Saturday night with pneumonia in both lungs.

Santorum took what was planned as a brief break from campaigning in Florida to return home to Pennsylvania to attend fundraisers and prepare his tax returns. He announced late Saturday night that he would extend his stay due to his daughter's health.

Sources told National Journal/CBS News that Bella, who was born with a severely disabling genetic disorder, was "improving" and was not on a ventilator.

Speaking on behalf of her father at a campaign rally at the Dolphin Aviation base here, Elizabeth Santorum said the candidate "wishes he could be here," but that he is "exercising his most important role, which is being a dad. So that's why he's home."

A local GOP leader led the crowd of about 250 in a moment of silence for Bella. Elizabeth - joining the Duggar Family from TLC's "19 Kids and Counting" - said at the end of the event that the Santorums expected rough patches in the campaign process.

"I think back on the many nights around our kitchen table," she said. "We knew from the very beginning that this would not be easy; this was not the easiest course for our family . . . but we knew that this would be worth it, because America is worth it."

Talking briefly with reporters after the rally, Elizabeth said of her father's decision to stay home, "You know, we do what we do as a family; we stick together. And we get through, and we're hanging in there."

Lindsey Boerma
Lindsey Boerma covers the 2012 presidential campaign for CBS News and National Journal.
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by bossboy311 January 29, 2012 11:14 PM EST: As a fellow clinician, I couldn't agree more. Quality of life is extremely important. We give our pets this privilege more than our loved ones. Right on brother!; Reply to this comment

by diamruby January 29, 2012 9:22 PM EST

Why are these religious nuts so afraid of death? Is it because they do not believe in all the lies they are been practicing& preeching in the name of religion? With her fathers wealth she will have the best treatment available, it is a sin to bring children into this world that have no hope of ever having a real life, other than pain & suffering. IF they believe in this "God" you would think they would want her to be with him & stop her suffering, which is what religious clubs teach.

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by tarm778 January 29, 2012 11:04 PM EST: It would be difficult to find another group as filled with hate and malice as modern American "liberals."
The liberals here appears to be one of those sad and lonely types who surfs the Internet looking for comment boards in search of attention.
Truly pathetic.


by irreverentasever January 29, 2012 8:49 PM EST: If they are such a religous family why wouldn't they all want to be together at the hospital? Something doesn't feel right about the way they operate.; Reply to this comment


by catalinda8 January 29, 2012 5:26 PM EST: I don't agree with his politics, but I wish only the best for his daughter. For any parent to go through this is heartbreaking.; Reply to this comment