WASHINGTON -- Former Sen. Rick Santorum told attendees at a conservative conference today that their vision of fiscal restraint and robust national defense is on the rise this year.

"We are faced with huge problems and we now, with what's happened recently, we have been given what we see in the polls is an opportunity to get back control," said Mr. Santorum, a two-term Republican from Penn Hills who was unseated by Sen. Bob Casey Jr. in 2006.

"The opportunity is now for conservatism. The Republican primaries across this country, now is your opportunity right now during primaries to rally behind conservative candidates so when we do win in the fall we have leaders who can go and change this country in a positive direction."

Mr. Santorum, who is flirting with a run for president in 2012, opened the third and final day of the Conservative Political Action Conference with a speech to a nearly full ballroom at the Marriott Wardman Park hotel in Washington. He spoke and took questions from audience members for about 30 minutes,then later held a meet-and-greet session with scores of well-wishers.

Mr. Santorum vigorously attacked Obama administration policies on spending, terrorism and Iran. He also mocked the president's campaign slip-up when talking about Pennsylvanians.

"I grew up in one of those poor small towns in Western Pennsylvania that candidate Barack Obama talked about in the Democratic primary ... bitter folks who cling to our guns and religion," Mr. Santorum said.

"Mr. President, America is the hope and you can keep the change."

Mr. Santorum also offered his support to Republican Pat Toomey -- who declined an invitation to speak at CPAC -- in this year's Senate campaign in Pennsylvania.

"He's earned it," Mr. Santorum said of Mr. Toomey.

He was less kind to his former colleague, Sen. Arlen Specter, who ditched the Republican Party last year to run as a Democrat.

"In 2004 I endorsed and, against the advice of my wife, Karen, I campaigned for Arlen Specter in the Republican primary," Mr. Santorum said. When the crowd erupted in a chorus of boos, he replied, "My sentiments exactly."

He added, "I should have listened to my wife."

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