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(CNN) – Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum confirmed to his supporters Friday what pundits have been speculating for months - the conservative Republican is actively considering a run for president in 2012.

In an e-mail and letter to supporters of his Political Action Committee, America's Foundation, Santorum writes, "After talking it over with my wife Karen and our kids – I am considering putting my name in for the 2012 presidential race."

"I'm convinced that conservatives need a candidate who will not only stand up for our views, but who can articulate a conservative vision for our country's future," Santorum also writes. "And right now, I just don't see anyone stepping up to the plate."

"I have no great burning desire to be president, but I have a burning desire to have a different president of the United States," said Santorum, who lost his re-election bid in 2006 after two terms in the Senate.

Full letter after the jump:

Full Letter:

SENATOR RICK SANTORUM

REPUBLICAN – PENNSYLVANIA

Dear XXXXX,

As we start this New Year, I've got to tell you – I'm really concerned about the direction Barack Obama is taking our country.

"Change we need" was candidate Obama's hollow campaign theme.

But since assuming office, the only real thing President Obama's given us is "Change we can't afford."

And through his single-minded pursuit of a radical domestic agenda – -including government takeovers of Health Care, the auto industry and massive wasteful bailouts for his political allies – - Obama is burying our country and our future generations under a mountain debt.

On Obama's watch, we've experienced record unemployment and the largest spending increase in our nation's history.

But worse than that, when it comes to our National Security, the Obama Administration buried its head in the sand and has turned a blind eye towards several major threats to our country.

In short, Obama's agenda of "change" is making us weaker both at home and abroad.

That's why it falls to us – you and me, XXXXXXX – to take back our country now, before it's too late.

And I've got a "3-step" plan for how you and I can accomplish this crucial task – starting now in 2010.

Because you've been with me through thick and thin, I wanted to share this plan with you first before anyone else. It's this simple:

1. Reinforce our conservative allies in Congress for the next 11 months in order to slam the brakes on the Obama agenda.

2. Take back the House of Representatives in the 2010 election.

3. Lay the groundwork to defeat Barack Obama in the 2012 election.

You heard me right, XXXXXXXXXX.

Last year I traveled to many parts of our country, including Iowa, South Carolina, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Nebraska, California, Arizona and Illinois.

And I can tell you, the regular folks I spoke to are angry and upset about the direction Barack Obama is taking our country – and they are ready to go to work to put America back on the right track!

I couldn't agree more.

That's why I'm committed to spending the next 12 months fighting day in and day out through America's Foundation to take back our country.

You see, two years ago, candidate-Barack Obama sold our country a false bill of goods.

And now we're paying a heavy, heavy price.

Enough is enough.

That's why I hope you'll join me today to lay the groundwork for taking back our country.

I promise you, I will stop at nothing when it comes to defending our freedom and our values.

That's the real reason why – after talking it over with my wife Karen and our kids – I am considering putting my name in for the 2012 presidential race.

And I'd like to know what you think about this – so please share your thoughts by rushing the attached "2010 Launch" reply back to me right away!

XXXXXXXXX, I'm convinced that conservatives need a candidate who will not only stand up for our views, but who can articulate a conservative vision for our country's future.

And right now, I just don't see anyone stepping up to the plate.

Our country needs a President who will stand up for our National Security.

Not someone who treats terrorism as a "petty crime," and who undermines our country's position in the world, bows to the communist leader of China and to the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, and embraces dictators like Hugo Chavez.

Our country needs a President who will restore fiscal sanity to Washington.

Not someone whose budget added a whopping $1 trillion to the deficit in a single year and was loaded with giveaways to Planned Parenthood, Unions, and ACORN!

Our country needs a President who will stand up for the family and for the traditional values Americans hold dear.

Not someone obsessed with forcing taxpayers to fund unthinkable "abortion mandates" and who claims America "is no longer a Christian nation."

And that's why I'm actively considering the 2012 race.

That's why I've spent the last several months travelling around the country spreading this message and fighting for conservative values through my PAC, America's Foundation.

You've been with me every step of the way, XXXXXXXXXXXX and I can't tell you how much I appreciate your support and friendship.

Together, you and I tried to warn our fellow citizens in 2008 of the danger posed by Barack Obama…

…and we've spent every day since Obama took office fighting to limit the damage of his radical agenda.

Through your support for America's Foundation, we've engaged the left on fundamental issues ranging from control of the U.S. Census to Health Care, abortion and the huge spike in the size of government.

And we managed to help elect conservative governors in Virginia and New Jersey in 2009 – two states Obama carried by huge margins.

Together, we've thrown down enough road-blocks to stall the most damaging elements of the Obama agenda.

And I know we can keep up the fight for the next 11 months…

…so that in the 2010 midterm elections we can end Nancy Pelosi's reign of terror by taking back the House of Representatives, and shattering Obama's filibuster-proof majority in the Senate.

This would derail Obama's agenda for the last 2 years of his term.

Then – in 2012 – you and I can kick the Obama Administration to the curb by taking back the White House.

Let me be very clear, just as I recently told a Washington Post columnist, I have no great burning desire to be president, but I have a burning desire to have a different president of the United States.

So you can count on me to make certain that whoever is the Republican nominee for President in 2012 is someone who shares our values and will fight for them as President – and who can ultimately defeat Obama.

It's vitally important we start doing the grunt work right now, XXXXXXXXXX.

And that's because you and I have a real, honest-to-goodness opportunity to defeat Barack Obama in 2012. As much as I hate to use these words, I think it's obvious Americans are now hungry for "real change."

Already, Obama's approval ratings have sunken to the lowest level in U.S. history for any president during his first year in office.

As shocking as it may sound – Barack Obama is vulnerable right now.

The best way to exploit that vulnerability is delivering a crushing defeat to his pals in Congress in 2010.

I hope you'll join me in making that happen.

Because their values just don't line up with the values you and I, and a majority of Americans, hold most dear.

With that in mind, can I count on you to give a special one-time gift of $XX to launch our 2010 efforts and to fund the vital work of America's Foundation, which is so important in this fight?

If we are going to begin the long march to take back our country, I really need the support of my most loyal friends, like you, XXXXXXXXXX.

So, please, grab a pen and sign your "Launch 2010" reply to let me know if I can count on your support in this fight to take back our country before Barack Obama does it irreparable harm.

And please use the postage paid 1st class reply to rush me your most generous gift of $XX, $XX or even $XX!

I can't tell you how grateful I am to have you by my side in this fight.

Most sincerely,

Rick Santorum

United States Senator (1995 – 2007)

P.S. I'm really counting on your support to launch my "3 part" strategy for taking back our country. So please sign your "2010 Launch" and let's get started on the path to defeating Barack Obama. Many thanks!

PAID FOR BY AMERICA'S FOUNDATION