Santorum: GOP is better off with Obama than Romney

GlobalPost

Rick Santorum's press secretary appeared on CNN to clarify his comments about a potential presidential face-off between GOP candidate Mitt Romney and President Obama, CNN reported

"You win by giving people the opportunity to see a different vision for our country, not someone who’s just going to be a little different than the person in there," Santorum said recently, MSNBC reported. “If they’re going to be a little different, we might as well stay with what we have instead of taking a risk with what may be the Etch A Sketch candidate for the future," referring to Romney. 

More from GlobalPost: Romney's senior adviser compares his campaign to an Etch a Sketch (VIDEO)

Santorum's press secretary Alice Stewart appeared on CNN's Starting Point with Soledad O’Brien Friday morning to contextualize Santorum's apparent vote of confidence for Obama over a Republican candidate. 

"Rick has made it abundantly clear once a nominee is chosen he'll stand behind the nominee and do everything we can to replace Barack Obama," Stewart told O'Brien. 

However, she did not shy away from attacking Romney as the GOP presidential candidate. 

“What he was referring to in the context of a statement was that he's worried that voters will have that feeling," said Stewart. "What we need in order for the GOP to win is we need to have a choice. We need a clear vision different from what we currently have. With Mitt Romney, it's the same vision, and it’s one that’s not the right direction for this country." 

More from GlobalPost: Karen Santorum defends her husband on Piers Morgan (VIDEO)

Stewart went on to draw parallels between Romney and Obama, arguing that both believe in "government takeover of health care, cap and trade, [and the] Wall Street bailout," according to CNN. 

The former Pennsylvania senator's campaign has been on the uptick as the primary season continues throughout the South. A new Rasmussen Reports poll put Santorum 12 points ahead of Romney in Louisiana, 43 percent to 31, Slate reported. Newt Gingrich, who has struggled to win over southern voters outside of South Carolina and his home state of Georgia, is in third place with 16 percent. 

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