Santorum: Romney "worst Republican" to face Obama

AP Photo/Jae C. Hong

(CBS News) FRANKSVILLE, Wis. - In directing what appeared to be a new level of vitriol toward Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum on Sunday described his rival as "the worst Republican in the country to put up against Barack Obama." Santorum later, however, bristled at the notion that he was referring to anything other than Romney's position on health care.

After a rally at the South Hills Country Club here, Santorum asked Republicans to "pick any other Republican in the country" than GOP presidential front-runner Romney, based on issues that make the former Massachusetts governor "uniquely disqualified" to run against Obama.

Reporters swarmed him for clarification, only to have Santorum testily reply that it was unreasonable to take his comment outside the context of health care.

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"I would say, as for, on the issue of health care, yes, that's what I was talking about - Obamacare, as you heard me say," he said. "That's what I said. I didn't say anything different than that. That's exactly what I said."

Minutes later, Jeff Zeleny of The New York Times followed up with a question about his outburst, to which Santorum asked, "What speech did you listen to? Stop lying." (watch the full exchange at left)

Pressed further, Santorum clarified that he meant Romney was the worst candidate "to run against Barack Obama on the issue of health care, because he fashioned the blueprint. I've been saying it in every speech. Quit distorting our words. If I see it [in print], it's bull(expletive). C'mon man, what are you doing?"

Jeff Zeleny: Santorum outburst was for cameras

Romney spokesman Ryan Williams quickly issued a statement in response: "Rick Santorum is becoming more desperate and angry and unhinged every day. He see conservatives coalescing around Mitt Romney and he's rattled by the backlash caused by his suggestion that keeping Barack Obama would be better than electing a Republican. He's panicking in the final stages of his campaign."

New York Times reporter Jeff Zeleny discussed his exchange with Santorum on "CBS This Morning" on Monday. Watch the interview below:

39 Photos

Rick Santorum on the campaign trail

[KansasCity-2012]

Oh My God!! Look at that phoney grin on Santorum's face...reminds me of the sleaziest evangelist who just raised enough money to pay off his biggest blackmail debt.

[lucifersshadow]

Insanitorum is nothing but a George Bush clone . . . he even look like George Bush.

[ounceoflogic]

Only got through about the last 20 post. You guys sure know how to back your man Romney... calling Santorum names, making fun of his religion and his sweaters and stuff is a really strong argument. Not one comment I've seen explains how Romney is going to attack O'bamacare.

[fedup12]

Robomaneycare

[REDBEAR57]

Rick Santorum should tell the GOP where to stuff it and run as third party candidate (Tea Party?).

[fedup12]

i wish Ron Paul would go 3rd party. He is the only guy who could pull Independents, Republicans and Democrats alike.

Rather thant the Liberal and Conservative extremists like we have running now.

[1pheasant1]

In a few months the flip-flopping GOP will produce a headline that reads like this:

Santorum: Romney "best Republican" to face Obama.

[C_Eliot]

this whole political race is a joke. read the polity of beasts---there you have the American political system in a nutshell. there is no appreciable difference between the democrats or republicans: the real power is in the hands of corporations and banks. and guess what? Americans deserve exactly what they have.

[EMCX2]

Psycho...? Who cares, he's clearly lacking.... He couldn't win against that bimbo from Alaska, what's her name again... Romney?

[edhazer]

Santorum is both slick and full of crap. And so is the candidate.

[hayseedbears]

Santorum is a jackass. Listen to him bray.