Mystery Robocall Attacks Santorum As 'Pro-Life Fraud' In Iowa

Former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA), a potential presidential candidate, is already being "greeted" on his visit to Iowa today -- by some nasty robocalls impugning his conservative bonafides. However, it is not known who is actually behind the calls.

The 40-second robocall, reported by CNN, hammers Santorum as "a pro-life fraud." Although Santorum was known for his strong social conservative agenda during his two terms in the Senate, the call attacks him for campaigning in 1997 on behalf of New Jersey's pro-choice Republican Gov. Christie Whitman -- and for Sen. Arlen Specter in 2004, back when he was still a Republican and was facing a tough primary challenge from conservative Rep. Pat Toomey.

The call tells its recipients to call Santorum and "ask him to apologize for his longtime support of radical pro-abortion politicians," giving the phone number of the conservative think thank in Washington where he is a senior fellow, the Ethics and Public Policy Center.

The call does not give any identifying information about who was behind it. And Santorum's people over at his PAC, America's Foundation, don't seem to know, either.

"I do not know who's behind the robocalls," said Santorum spokesperson Virginia Davis, in an e-mail to TPMDC. "Clearly someone is concerned that Rick Santorum is gaining some traction in Iowa, but it's disappointing that they felt the need to deceive Iowans about his record. Rick Santorum will put his record up against anyone when it comes to championing social conservative causes."

Santorum has publicly said that he is considering a run for president. He has been visiting the three key primary and caucus states of Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina.