GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum appears on CBS’ “Face the Nation” Sunday.By CHARLES BABINGTON and KASIE HUNT
STEUBENVILLE, Ohio – Philosophical differences between the top two Republican presidential candidates are becoming starker as Rick Santorum drives harder on religious and social issues that Mitt Romney rarely discusses in detail.
In recent days, Santorum has questioned the usefulness of public schools, criticized prenatal testing and said President Barack Obama’s theology is not “based on the Bible.” On Monday, he likened Obama to politicians who spread fear about certain technologies “so they can control your lives.”
The remarks contrast sharply with Romney’s even-tempered emphasis on jobs, the economy and his resume as a can-do corporate executive.
The differences give Republican voters clear choices to shape their party’s mission and image heading into the fall battle against Obama. They also will test whether social conservatives and tea partyers can outperform the GOP establishment in key states such as Michigan and Ohio.