Rick Santorum Holds Town Hall In Columbia, SC (Getty Images)
COTTLEVILLE, Mo. (AP) -- Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum is denouncing what he calls the "gutter politics" of his opponents as he turns his campaign focus from Florida to the Midwest.
Santorum spoke to a crowd of several hundred people Monday at a suburban St. Louis community college in his first campaign event since taking a weekend break to be with his sick 3-year-old daughter.
Polls show Santorum trailing Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich in Tuesday's Republican primary in Florida. The two Republicans have traded increasing harsh words in recent days.
Santorum says he believes he can fare well in Midwestern swing states such as Missouri by taking the high road on issues. He is touting tax breaks for manufacturing and fundamental change to education.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)