13 WTHR IndianapolisSantorum plans aggressive strategy against Romney

Santorum plans aggressive strategy against Romney

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PORTLAND, Maine -

A day after Mitt Romney regained some momentum in the Republican presidential contest, rival Rick Santorum has gone on the attack.

Romney won Maine's caucuses just hours after also winning the presidential straw poll at the Conservative Political Action Committee conference in Washington.

The former Massachusetts governor has been painting Santorum as a long-time Washington insider who pursued earmarks for home-state projects. Appearing on ABC's "This Week," Santorum described Romney's criticism as "desperate."

Santorum is shrugging off his third-place finish in Maine's caucuses, where he didn't actively compete, as well as a second-place finish in the straw poll. Santorum says he could do "exceptionally well" in Michigan, where Romney's father served as governor. The Midwestern state and Arizona host Republican presidential nominating contests on Feb. 28.

Ron Paul had a disappointing second-place finish in Maine. He tells CBS' "Face the Nation" there's virtually no difference between Santorum, Romney and Newt Gingrich. Paul says they all represent "the status quo."

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