Romney to Ohioans: Santorum is no 'budget hawk'

[February 21, 2012]  CINCINNATI (AP) -- Mitt Romney says rival Rick Santorum is "no longer a budget hawk" and that he'd do a better job controlling spending as president.

Campaigning in Ohio, Romney accused Santorum of helping congressional Republicans spend money "like Democrats." The former Massachusetts governor said he would cut the federal budget in part by giving control of Medicaid, housing vouchers and food stamps back to the states.

Romney urged Ohio voters to back him in their March 6 primary because Ohio "often decides who the president is."

He spoke to employees at a Cincinnati-based medical device maker and toured the factory. He took no questions from the media.

Romney planned a fundraiser Monday night and was scheduled to campaign in Michigan on Tuesday. Michigan votes Feb. 28.

[Associated Press]

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