CNN Political Ticker

Santorum goes after Romney in Michigan TV ad

Washington (CNN) - Rick Santorum aired another TV ad in Michigan Thursday, continuing to criticize his biggest GOP competitor, Michigan native Mitt Romney.

This ad titled "Say What," took a serious tone highlighting times when Mitt Romney has spoken against conservative values, which Santorum highlights as his own strengths.

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Last week, Santorum aired an ad in Michigan titled "Rambo" which featured a Romney-look-alike actor shooting a mud-gun at Rick Santorum cardboard cut-outs.

The ad released Thursday has no narrator and the only audio is serious background music. A series of written-text Romney quotes and criticisms cross the screen instead.

Most of the Romney quotes focus on social issues, key to Santorum's campaign.

In a debate at Suffolk University, October 29, 2002 Romney said "I will preserve and protect a woman's right to choose" writes the ad. "Romney also professed support for state funding of abortions for low income women, (The Boston Globe)."

The ad continues with criticism on Romney requesting millions in earmarks and continued hits that suggest "Romneycare was Blueprint for Obamacare (RushLimbaugh.com)."

The former Pennsylvania Senator has set his sights on winning the Michigan primary next week. Polls are showing that the two candidates are consistently within a few percentage points of each other in the state, meaning the negative ads will only continue as primary day arrives.

"We figured we'd show people what Mitt Romney says about Mitt Romney," said Santorum's national communications director Hogan Gidley.

Meanwhile Mitt Romney's Michigan ads have focused on his family life and growing up in Michigan.

In response to the TV ad Mitt Romney's spokesman Ryan Williams told CNN, “Senator Santorum’s dishonest attack ad is a desperate attempt to distract from his long career in Washington and his decision to repeatedly increase the debt ceiling and his own pay. He will do and say anything to avoid a discussion about his votes for wasteful earmarks and his enthusiastic support of Arlen Specter, the liberal senator who cast the deciding vote for ObamaCare."

The Michigan primary is on Tuesday February 28.

Also see:

Five things we learned from Wednesday's debate

Detroit Free Press endorses Romney

Candidates enter critical phase after possible final debate

Obama to talk energy and gas prices at Miami speech