Only on Brody File: Bachmann Calls Santorum a 'Big Spender' Who 'Endorsed Pro-Abortion Candidates'

Michele Bachmann tells The Brody File that Rick Santorum is a 'big spending Republican' who has previously endorsed other pro-abortion candidates. Bachmann is trying to distinguish herself from her social conservative rival as she has seen his support increase in the last few weeks.

The Brody File spent some time with Bachmann on her bus this morning in the Des Moines area. Watch the clip below.

No matter what happens in Iowa, expect Bachmann to compete hard through South Carolina. Beyond an outright victory or a top three finish, the best case scenario for her is for Rick Perry to do poorly Tuesday night and then make a play for his voters moving forward.

Additionally, if Santorum does well, he’s going to have to go to New Hampshire while Bachmann will pretty much skip New Hampshire and go right to South Carolina, giving her a leg up and some more time down there than Santorum. We’ll see.

Bachmann on Santorum:

David Brody: What do you make of all of this hububaloo about Rick Santorum right now? Are you surprised at that? What really is the difference between yourself and Rick Santorum because he’s going after the same type of folks?

Michele Bachmann: Well, we’re going after all the voters. And Rick is a good guy. I’m not saying he’s not a good guy. But I think here’s the real distinction between us. Rick Santorum is a big spending Republican. I’m not. Spending is a crucial issue in this race. I’m an extremely strong fiscal conservative. Rick Santorum voted for the ‘Bridge to Nowhere.’ He votes for earmarks. He defends earmarks. He votes for big spending budgets. I don’t. I’ve taken on my own Republican Party, in addition to the Democrat Party. That’s a big distinction.

Plus, it’s unfortunate but Rick Santorum has backed Arlen Specter and endorsed other pro-abortion candidates, including candidates that support partial birth abortion. Now Rick Santorum doesn’t support abortion, but he’s supported candidates who do. The real problem with Arlen Specter is that Arlen Specter supplied the 60th vote for Barack Obama, so that he could have Obamacare. But for the Arlen Specter vote on Obamacare, we would not have taxpayer-funded abortion today. We would not have the morning after abortion pill available free of charge to women in the United States today.

These are profound distinctions. And we had a pro-life Pat Toomey. He could have used Rick Santorum’s support. He didn’t have it from Rick Santorum. I would never, ever endorse a candidate if they are pro-abortion. It would never happen.