Defending his view on prenatal tests,

He elaborates on faith remark

WASHINGTON — Republican presidential contender Rick Santorum, leading the GOP field in national polls, on Sunday defended his views questioning prenatal testing, state control of education and President Obama’s “theology.”

The unapologetic advocacy by Santorum seemed sure to please social conservatives in the Republican Party but also fuel questions about whether he could appeal to independent voters in a general election.

After sweeping contests in Colorado, Minnesota and Missouri on Feb. 7, the former Pennsylvania senator has surged to the top of the Gallup Poll — at 36%, ahead of former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney at 28%, former House speaker Newt Gingrich at 13% and Texas Rep. Ron Paul at 11%.

On CBS’ Face the Nation, Santorum:

Objected to including some prenatal tests in federal insurance mandates, saying the tests lead to more abortions.

“A lot of prenatal tests are done to identify deformities in utero, and the customary procedure is to encourage abortions,” he said. “We know that 90% of Down syndrome children in America are aborted.” At a campaign event over the weekend in Columbus, Ohio, he said the tests effectively “cull the ranks of the disabled in our society.”

He objected to provisions in the health care law that require coverage of prenatal testing for expectant mothers, saying some tests shouldn’t be included. He mentioned amniocentesis, a test that can detect chromosomal abnormalities in fetuses such as Down syndrome.

Denied he was questioning the president’s faith when, at an event in Columbus, Ohio, he said Obama’s agenda followed “some phony ideal, some phony theology — oh, not a theology based on the Bible, a different theology.” Santorum said he was referring to “radical environmentalists” who believe “that man is here to serve the Earth as opposed to husband its resources and be good stewards of the Earth.”

“I wasn’t suggesting the president’s not a Christian,” he said.

On ABC’S This Week, Obama adviser Robert Gibbs called Santorum’s original remarks “over the line” and said, “It’s time to have a debate on our political positions, but not question each other’s character and faith.”

Said the federal and state governments should get out of public education, defending comments made Saturday that described the state role as an “anachronism” dating to the industrialization of America. “I think that the parent should be in charge, working with the local school district to try to design an educational environment for each child that optimizes their potential,” he said.