Rick Santorum struggles to defend his record in heated debate

After weathering a media firestorm this past week over a series of provocative comments he made regarding President Obama’s religion, prenatal testing and other issues, former senator Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) had entered Wednesday night’s presidential debate in Mesa, Ariz., aiming to portray himself as the “authentic” candidate and only consistent conservative in the race.

Instead, he fell fall short of that goal.

Santorum, who has been riding a surge of momentum in the polls, found himself struggling to defend his record in Congress as his presidential rivals blasted him on earmarking, contraception and the No Child Left Behind law at the CNN debate, the last showdown before next month’s Super Tuesday contests.

“Politics is a team sport, folks,” a resigned Santorum said at one point when challenged to explain his support for George W. Bush’s signature education law, which Santorum had later said he regretted supporting.

full: http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/in-final-debate-before-super-tuesday-gop-presidential-hopefuls-face-off/2012/02/22/gIQAir1CUR_singlePage.html