A day after Rick Santorum swept to three victories in the Republican race for the White House, the Obama Administration was staying focused on GOP frontrunner Mitt Romney, jabbing at him over a dispute on new rules under the Obama health law.
"I mean this is ironic, that Mitt Romney is criticizing the President," said White House Press Secretary Jay Carney, who gave Romney the verbal back of the hand in a briefing with reporters.
"The former Governor of Massachusetts is an odd messenger on this," said Carney, arguing that Romney's own health plan in the Bay State also forced religious groups to include contraceptive coverage which has been denounced in recent days by Republicans.
"This rule would provide for women around the country the same that are provided for women in Massachusetts and the same that were provided when he was Governor," Carney concluded, refusing to be drawn into any discussion of Santorum's views on the same subject.
"So does the President agree with Rick Santorum on the issue then?" one reporter asked to laughter from reporters.
"I haven’t heard what Senator Santorum has said on the issue," Carney said flatly, going back to his main guidepost.
" I mean, this is, I think, ironic that Mitt Romney is expressing -- criticizing the President for pursing a policy that's virtually identical to the one that was in place when he was governor of Massachusetts," Carney added.
The repeated jabs at Romney came as Republicans in both the House and Senate turned up the heat on the White House over a newly issued rule, which forces groups like the Catholic Church to offer contraceptive coverage, even though the employer is opposed to that practice.
"This attack on religious freedom in our county must not stand and will not stand," Speaker John Boehner said in a rare speech from the Well of the House, as GOP lawmakers pressed for action.
“This rule and mandate by the Obama Administration’s Department of Health and Human Services represents just how destructive the president’s government-dictated health care system will be to the American people," said Rep. Tom Price (R-GA).
While Republicans demanded change, more liberal groups began to engage in the fight as well, urging the White House not to back down.
"We need your help right now," read an emailed appeal from the group Emily's List.
"Right wing extremists are up in arms, deluging the White House with messages telling President Obama to reverse his (correct!) decision to ensure that all women have access to contraception, without a copay, no matter where they work," said the missive.
As for Romney, what exactly did he approve while Governor? It's not as clear cut as the White House wants people to believe, as a law that allowed for morning-after pills to be dispensed to rape victims became law over his veto.
Romney and other Republicans tried to move the debate away from contraception and more towards the issue of religious freedom and liberty.
"I will not hesitate to use the powers of the Presidency to protect religious liberty," Romney said.
The dustup with the White House came at an interesting time, with the surge from Rick Santorum, and his obvious focus on social issues.
But on this day, Santorum wasn't getting barbs from the podium in the White House briefing - it was still Mitt Romney.
