At CPAC, Santorum casts self as true conservative
WASHINGTON — Rick Santorum is telling conservatives he’s the only Republican presidential candidate who shares their values and implicitly attacking rival Mitt Romney as a moderate.
Speaking Friday at a gathering of conservative activists in Washington, the former Pennsylvania senator cast himself as the candidate who will allow true conservative voters to keep the “honor” and stay true to their principles.
Santorum didn’t mention Romney by name, but he implicitly and repeatedly attacked the former Massachusetts governor for holding moderate positions. He hit Romney or comments about the poor and said Romney is simply the candidate with “the most money to beat up their opponent and win the election.”
Santorum won nominating contests in Minnesota, Colorado and Missouri this week, and is fighting to become the chief conservative alternative to Romney.
Romney and Newt Gingrich also will address the annual Conservative Political Action Conference on Friday. Rep. Ron Paul, whose libertarian leanings put him at odds with some mainstream conservatives, does not plan to attend.
Romney, the former Massachusetts governor, is likely to try to reassure conservatives that he represents their views and is best-positioned to beat Obama.
Conventioneers will watch Gingrich, the former House speaker, to see whether he brings his fierce, fighting side to the stage or his gentler persona of big ideas and national optimism.
Gingrich and Romney kept out of the public eye Thursday, huddling with consultants and raising money.
Santorum, campaigning in Oklahoma, defended his use of earmarks in congressional legislation to steer federal projects to his state of Pennsylvania. He said earmarks, which many conservatives dislike, are sometimes necessary for military or health programs.
Romney, seeing Santorum as a growing threat, has criticized his use of earmarks.
The CPAC appearances come one day before Maine’s caucus results will be announced. Many Republicans expect Paul to do well there.