Romney hits Santorum robo calls as ‘new low’ in campaign
(CNN) - Mitt Romney on Monday night kicked back against Republican presidential rival Rick Santorum for urging Democrats to vote against Romney in Michigan's primary.
"Sen. Santorum did something today which I think is deceptive and a dirty trick," Romney said on Fox News.
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Earlier Monday, Santorum's campaign confirmed it was using robo calls rallying Democratic voters to come out to the polls Tuesday and cast their ballots against Romney.
"On Tuesday, join Democrats who are going to send a loud message to Massachusetts Mitt Romney," says an unidentified voice in a Santorum robo call to Michigan voters.
Organized efforts by Democrats have also been under way to encourage Michigan Democrats to vote for Santorum in the state’s open primary, with the premise that the former Pennsylvania senator would be a weaker candidate against President Barack Obama in the fall.
Romney said he wasn’t “too concerned” about Democratic-led efforts, saying it “wouldn’t have much impact.”
As for the Santorum campaign's robo calls, however, Romney said his rival’s strategy is “confusing” and a “new low in this campaign.”
Speaking on the same program Monday, Santorum defended the campaign tactic and argued the call was “positive.”
“It’s talking about what we are doing to create jobs in Michigan,” he said.
Santorum went on to attack Romney over the former governor’s appeal to non-conservative voters.
“Of course, you know, it’s interesting that he criticizes me for attracting Democrats because one of the things that Gov. Romney’s people say is he can’t attract Democrats,” Santorum said. “We will wait and see.”
Romney and Santorum are statistically tied in Michigan and Arizona, both of which hold their primaries on Tuesday.
- CNN’s Ashley Killough, Jim Acosta and Dan Bash contributed to this report.
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Santorum and the fall of bi-partisanship. Obama 2012
It does'nt matter who wins,the hop has lost the respect of true/intelligent voters.They only offer hate/lies/not one solution for the problems at hand. That's g o p not hop
What's this? Romney complains about Santorum's robo calls? I've received over twenty robo calls from Romney and only ONE from Santorum. Guess who I'd vote for, based just on that annoyance? Robo calls hurt your campaign more than help it, guys...
It will be nice when Nov rolls around and the DEMS sweep all these republican clowns out of office for good and we don't have to listen to the teapublican propaganda about how much their going to help us. No thanks , Dem landslide coming!!!!
Here we go again. Mine is this little, well mine is just a tad larger. Maybe if sanatorium used it a little more.
No wonder Romney's mad... he didn't think anyone would stoop lower than him as far as deception and dirty tricks.
Oh, please! I have received twice as many Romney calls as Santorum calls in the past two weeks, and I am a registered Democrat in Michigan. Hearing Romney complain about this only makes him look like a spoiled brat who is not getting his way. The only legitimate complaint at this point is that of the Michigan residents who are tired of calls that are not effective anyway.
Well, well, well, if it isn't the pot calling the kettle black?! The rethuglicans did this exact same thing in 2008 and now they are crying foul? Cry on mitten boy, you are not winning Michigan. Time to go vote.
OBAMA 2012.
In all this, Ron Paul's supporters are being taken for a long royal ride by Ron and his son, who are together achieving only two things that are importnat to themselves – 1. To promote Rand-rant Paul and 2. To shield and cover Romney in debates against Perry first, Gingrich next and Santorum now. A guy who wants to win will want to go for the head of the leading / spending candidate, but this guy wants to go after only the changing 'second' place guy than the 'constant' first place guy i.e. Romney. This is SO disingenuous. Ron Paul supporters are turning out to be a BIG joke and pack of sucker followers, who are like the sheep. LOL
Mr. Santorum is making a great effort to fall even lower than Gingrich. It's incredible.
Hard to get to a new low when you have hit rock bottom already. This GOP field is all about low – in every way.
These two are the biggest idiots of the century, these Robo calls, and fake DVDs do not work. Obama2012. period.
Santorum 2012. The truth will eat Obama up
Poor little Mitt. I'm no fan of Santorum, but Mitt has ran a filthy campaign and now that Santorum is hitting back with some tricks of his own, Mitt is whining like a freakin' baby. Get a clue, Mitt. It's this kind of bratty whining that turn people off to you. Being a serial flip-flopper and a spoiled brat doesn't help either.
I find the politics of 'anything goes' immoral and a serious danger to integrity, accountability and trustworthness which are key to good governance and devpt. Let Mitt and Santorum deal mo with issues affecting the Americans than trying all sorts of low belts jst to win the nomination
A dirty trick – yes, it certainly is.
Thank your fellow Republican Limbaugh and his 'Operation Chaos" – and then re-read that chapter that goes something like 'as you sow, so shall you reap'.
Republicans have no one to blame except fellow Republicans.
Does Mitt realize That Dems are US citizens and have the right to vote in the Michagan primary. This man can't get out of his own way. His campaign should be "what kind of fool am I"
Dem but i vote ind would never coss over for the extreme bull crap that the gop is slinging
What Democrat in their right mind would vote for Santorum? He is more ridiculous and delusional than I thought. This man is a nightmare that needs to go away!
Like he wouldn't do the same thing. Total hypocrite.
New low? How about the admittedly deceptive ad Mitt Romney ran misrepresenting Pres. Obama quoting John McCain as if the words were Pres. Obama's own?
"press one…if you should be committed for voting for Rick Santorum on Tuesday."
He wants democrats to vote for him!!!! This is a new crazy low, nobody should vote for the jack-a!!! Christian indeed.
Getting votes from democrats who are tired of being controlled and suppressed by Obama..what's the matter Romney, you didn't think of using all your money for that one..c'mon quit whining. Go Santorum..the truth shall bring us freedom