Gingrich says RNC should demand loyalty pledge from candidates

{mosads}“You win by giving people a choice. 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. “If they’re going to be a little different, we might as well stay with what we have instead of taking a risk of what may be the Etch A Sketch candidate for the future.”

The comment drew harsh criticism from across the conservative spectrum, and Santorum backtracked early Friday.

“I would never vote for Barack Obama over any Republican and to suggest otherwise is preposterous,” Santorum said in a statement Friday. “I was simply making the point that there is a huge enthusiasm gap around Mitt Romney and it’s easy to see why — Romney has sided with Obama on healthcare mandates, cap-and-trade, and the Wall Street bailouts.” 

But Gingrich’s campaign clearly sees an opportunity for some traction against Santorum, who looks poised to win again in the Deep South on Saturday with Louisiana’s primary vote, further denying Gingrich a chance to make up delegates in his own backyard.

“Republicans must not lose sight of our ultimate goal in 2012: defeating President Obama in November,” Millsaps wrote. “While we may disagree on which candidate will be the strongest opponent to the President in the general election, we can agree that any of the current Republican candidates would be a better president than Barack Obama.”