U.S. Sen Rick Santorum yesterday touted his record on veterans' services in a speech before the Pennsylvania American Legion, while his Democratic challenger, state Treasurer Bob Casey, slammed him for not being generous enough with federal money.

Both politicians were in Pittsburgh to make their pitches to the Legion's highly coveted membership of older voters, who were meeting at the Hilton Hotel Downtown for the organization's annual convention.

Mr. Santorum said he and other members of the state delegation have worked diligently to keep veterans' hospitals open, despite Pennsylvania's anemic population growth.

He cited significant expansions at the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System in Oakland, including the construction of a 1,500-space, $37 million parking garage. He also spoke of his role last year in preventing the closure of the 911th Military Airlift Wing at Pittsburgh International Airport.

Mr. Santorum said he and all members of Congress often make "tough choices" on funding for veterans' services. But he always dedicates some staff members to the full-time task of addressing individual concerns.

"When a veteran walks in with a problem, you solve the problem. You go to work ," he said. "It's personal. It's human."

Mr. Casey said the senator and the Bush administration had shortchanged funding for health care for veterans. He also charged that they sent troops to Iraq without adequate planning and equipment.

"I believe that, while this administration and this Congress can be counted on to say the right words and say the right things to American veterans, they can't always be counted on to do the right things when it comes to our veterans," he said.

Referring to reports of shortages in body armor and armored vehicles, the Democrat said, "It is morally reprehensible and militarily foolish to send young heroes into combat to fight and kill and bleed and perhaps die with substandard equipment.''

Mr. Casey then criticized Mr. Santorum for voting last year against an amendment offered by Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., that would have added $1.98 billion to veterans' health care funding.

In his speech, Mr. Santorum described the amendment as a "political vote" with no realistic chance of passage. He later told reporters that he eventually sponsored a separate multi-billion dollar amendment, following a request from officials with the Department of Veterans Affairs.

He also defended the military's preparedness for war in Iraq.

"When I made a commitment to send our troops to war, I made that commitment having served eight years on the armed services committee," he said. "I made that commitment having worked very hard to make sure that, unlike some have suggested, that our military is the best trained and best equipped in the world. And they are."

Mr. Casey renewed his criticism of Mr. Santorum for not being sufficiently skeptical of the Bush administration's approach to the Iraq war, but he again stopped short of saying how he would have voted on the resolution that authorized the war.

In a brief news conference after his speech, Mr. Casey had an oblique response to a question about the issue.

"I think a lot of Americans support our troops in Iraq, we know that," he said. "But they wouldn't have had a vote if we had the information that we have now. We were lied to. We know that, and there should be hearings on that."

Mr. Santorum said it's not enough to ask "tough questions."

"I'm providing the answers," he said. "You elected me not to go down and pose questions at hearings. You elected me to go down there and solve problems."

He highlighted his authorship of the Iran Freedom and Support Act, which, if approved, would authorize the funding of pro-democracy groups in Iran. The bill is still in committee.

Both speeches received positive responses from the veterans group, with several interruptions for applause.

One Legion official took exception to Mr. Casey's remarks. Lew Kramer, a member of a Harrisburg Legion post and a Republican, confronted Mr. Casey outside the hall and told him that his remarks had been inappropriately partisan.

"I'm very upset. This is not a political organization,'' Mr. Kramer said.

But when Mr. Santorum spoke several hours later, he, too, delivered a campaign-style speech.

Gov. Ed Rendell and his Republican opponent, Lynn Swann, also addressed the gathering, and the governor used the occasion for a ceremonial signing of a bill that prohibits protests at the funerals of soldiers.