MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) — Presidential contender Rick Santorum is defending previous statements and votes a day after he nearly defeated rival Mitt Romney in Iowa's leadoff nominating contests.
Santorum on Wednesday faced questions about his statements on same-sex relationships, his support for a prescription drug benefit for seniors and his work on programs for blacks. The surging former senator from Pennsylvania tried to explain his positions — including his support of earmarks — as many voters are looking at his record for the first time.
Santorum is facing criticism from his rivals over home-state spending for specific projects he wrote into legislation. In an interview with CNN, Santorum says he was fighting to bring Pennsylvanians' tax dollars back to the state. Many conservatives and tea party activists loathe the set-aside spending.
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