Rick Santorum: Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney Are Too Much Like Obama On Big Issues

WASHINGTON -- Republican presidential hopeful Rick Santorum lumped together his two leading rivals, Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich, claiming their records are too much like President Barack Obama's on big issues like health care, climate change and Wall Street bailouts.

"I think the tea party people are going to realize we need a clean, clear contrast," Santorum said during an appearance on CNN's "State of the Union" Sunday. "We need this race to be about Barack Obama and his record, not about the Republicans agreeing with that record. That would be the last thing we should be nominating, is someone who has a bad record on some of the most important issues we’re going to be dealing with."

Santorum used that comparison to argue that he's a consistent conservative. The comparison was a slap at Romney and Gingrich's past support of a government requirement to put aside money for health care and their belief in climate change.

The former Pennsylvania senator said he established a record of steady leadership on conservative issues in the Senate and that Gingrich's years as House speaker were marked by rebellion among conservatives.

Santorum also took a shot at Gingrich when he said "his forte is glib." Gingrich has risen in recent polls, particularly in Iowa, which has its caucuses in three weeks.