Santorum will consider running for president

Former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) said he would consider running for president in 2012, citing a changing political environment making President Obama seem more vulnerable.

"I think that it's something I would consider," Santorum said during a conference call Tuesday organized by the Republican National Committee (RNC). "But I think that's as far as I'm willing to go three years out."

Santorum said that recent months had allured him and other Republicans to eye a challenge to Obama, with the president seeming more vulnerable as debates over healthcare and other issues have taken a toll on his popularity.

"That has created a different atmosphere, and not just me, but I think a lot of people are going to take a look and try to see what they can do to confront this president," the former conservative senator said.

Santorum also slammed his former colleague, Sen. Arlen Specter (D-Pa.), for pandering to the Democratic base while the president visits Pennsylvania today. Santorum had served with Specter, before the senior senator switched parties to pursue reelection as a Democrat.

"He has done a hard left turn in order to try to get into the good graces of this president," Santorum said of Specter. "He's abandoned the middle in order to try to win a Democratic primary."

Santorum cited shifting stances on "card check" legislation and healthcare as examples of Specter's repositioning as he faces a tough reelection battle next year.