WASHINGTON -- "A conservative and a moderate and a liberal walk into a bar. The bartender says, 'Hello Mitt!' ''

That was Rick Santorum's introduction from his SuperPAC patron, Foster Friess.

Following him to the stage of the annual Conservative Political Action Conference, the former senate never mentioned Mr. Romney by name, but his remarks made the same point. Mr. Santorum reprised his argument that Mr. Romney would be a flawed general election candidate because he would not be able to present sharp contrasts with President Obama on issues from health care to the environment.

Mr. Santorum received a warm, if not tumultuous reception from the crowded ballroom. Flanked by his wife, Karen, and five of their children, he said that The Affordable Health care Act, "Obamacare,'' to Mr. Santorum and other Republicans, represents not just bad policy, but a threat to liberty.

"When government gives you rights, government can take away those rights,'' he said. "Obamacare will crush economic freedom. As a result government will own you.''

Referring to the controversial policy on contraception coverage that White House was backing down on even as he spoke, M.r Santorum said, "He's now telling the Catholic church that they are forced to pay for things that are against their tenets and teachings,'' he said. "This is not about contraception. It is about economic liberty ... it's about government control of your lives and it's got to stop.''

Turning to the Republican candidate he had bested in GOP contests in Missouri, Minnesota and Colorado Tuesday, he contended that Mr. Romney would have a hard time making the same case.
"Who has supported the stepchild of Obamacare,'' he demanded, referring to the Massachusetts health care law signed by the former governor.

Mr. Santorum was the first of three GOP candidates who would address the Republican gathering Friday. Mr. Romney and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich would follow him to the podium later. Texas Rep. Ron Paul, the winner of the CPAC straw poll for two years running, decided to skip this year's event, although his son, Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, addressed the group Thursday.