NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. -- Rick Santorum, the former Pennsylvania senator who very well may have been a Michigan primary win away from being the Republican nominee, gave a rousing defense of social values here at the Conservative Political Action Conference.

“For those in our movement who want to abandon our moral underpinnings to win, what does it profit a movement to gain the country and lose its own soul?" Santorum told this room of thousands of conservative activists at CPAC to raucous applause. "The left in America has made that Faustian bargain… We must not.” 

Santorum’s speech, which led off with an emotional recounting of the untimely death of his nephew, will only likely stoke speculation that he is thinking about another run in 2016. He set out what conservatives should fight for, had plenty of attacks on President Barack Obama, distanced himself from Congress -- despite having served there for 16 years, and even noted that he had created a conservative advocacy group, something that will help keep him in the conversation on the right.

Santorum accused the president of wanting to “close the deal” on a transformation of America 100 years in the making. He said Obama “wants to replace the ‘why’ of American Revolution for ‘why’ of French revolution –- a society that is Godless without faith,” that is “anti clerical, anti-God, where the government is the center, and they are the ones who care for us. This is President Obama’s New Deal.”

He added, “How do we turn this around? How do we make a difference in America today? I’ve tried to do my part.”

He contended that the problem on the right is not that there are not enough conservatives, it is that that conservatives -- and churchgoing social conservatives, in particular -- are not fired up enough.

“The passion in America has been on the other side,” Santorum said before warning, “They live their lives every day to transform us. Those who think America will be just fine … we just go about our lives. But we don’t have the passion that they do. To rise up and fight against what our founders said was the greatest threat to freedom -- time. Time. The erosion of our values over time, that we will lose that revolutionary fervor… Karen and I are committed that we are not going to let that happen on our watch.”

Of course, after the 2004 election, there were books written about the influence of social conservatives. They had helped re-elect President George W. Bush and were being touted as potentially spurring a permanent “Red America.” But white born-again Christians actually made up a higher share of the electorate in 2012 than 2004. In 2004, they made up 23 percent of the electorate; in 2012, they were 26 percent. 

Santorum continued, “Don’t look to Washington, D.C. to solve this problem. There are very few leaders in Congress. There are a lot of followers. If you look to them to solve their problems, you will be disappointed. … The answer is here.”

WASHINGTON -- Appearing at an annual gathering of conservative Christian voters, former presidential candidate Rick Santorum accused President Barack Obama of "coddling and appeasing" America's enemies and said the Obama administration is at least partially responsible for ongoing violence in post-Arab Spring nations.

"This president has to take a share of the responsibility for what the Middle East looks like today because he helped structure it," Santorum told attendees at the Values Voter Summit in Washington, D.C., adding that Obama has "turned his back" on allies like Israel and the government of Egypt.

"He has sent a very clear message to that area of the world," he said of Obama. "If you're a friend of the United States, you're on your own. If you are an enemy of the United States, let's talk."

Anti-U.S. protests rocked over 20 nations across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia this week, and four Americans were killed during an attack in Benghazi, Libya.

Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney has slammed the Obama administration for "apologizing" for American values in its dealings with Islamic militants, a sentiment that his former rival Santorum echoed today.

"Gov. Romney boldly went out and called this administration on their policies, their weak, lead-from-behind appeasing policies against those who threaten us and our security," Santorum said. "He stood up and called them what they were."

While he fought bitterly against the now-GOP nominee in the Republican primary, the former Pennsylvania senator repeatedly praised Romney before the audience of Christian social conservatives, a group that represents the backbone of Santorum's political base.

"I'm so encouraged that Gov. Romney has embraced some of the things I campaigned upon and that you across America have encouraged me to give voice to," he said. "He's giving voice to those things because he understands who we are. Mitt Romney understands America. He understands those values. And he shares those values."

In a convention with few reminders of the 2012 Republican primary just a few months ago, Rick Santorum brought everyone back.

The former Pennsylvania senator delivered a somber speech that was more about his personal story than a ringing endorsement of Mitt Romney. It hit on many of the same themes he pushed while pursuing his longshot presidential bid, including family values, marriage and abortion. 

In fact, even though Santorum was the first speaker to raise the welfare issue, his allusion to abortion was the best-received line of his speech.

“I thank God that America still has one party that reaches out their hands in love to lift up all of God’s children -- born and unborn -- and says that each of us has dignity and all of us have the right to live the American Dream,” Santorum said to a standing ovation.

On welfare, Santorum, who touted his work on welfare reform in the 1990s, accused the president of trying to “weaken our republic” and acting as if he were “above the law.”

“President Obama’s policies undermine the traditional family, weaken the education system,” Santorum said. “And this summer he showed us once again he believes in government handouts and dependency by waiving the work requirement for welfare.

“I helped write welfare reform; we made the law crystal clear -- no president can waive the work requirement. But as with his refusal to enforce our immigration laws, President Obama rules like he is above the law. America take heed, when a president can simply give a speech or write a memo and change the law to do what the law says he can’t, we weaken our republic.”

Of course, the welfare attack has been widely discredited, and there is still a work requirement for welfare. There also was limited crowd reaction to the attack, which has become a mainstay of the Romney campaign on the trail and in millions of dollars in television ads.

The NBC Politics team has curated some of the notable speeches from the first night of the Republican National Convention in Tampa.  

Ann Romney talks about her marriage to Mitt Romney, her children and their lives together as she characterizes the GOP nominee as a trustworthy, compasionate leader.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie uses his keynote address at the Republican National Convention to talk about New Jersey's successes and how he believes that as a country "we are beginning to do what is right ... to make our country great again." 

House Speaker John Boehner tells the rank-and-file at the Republican National Convention that "we can do better" as he pans President Barack Obama's performance.

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell emphasizes the importance of small business owners in America as he criticizes President Barack Obama's fiscal policies at the Republican National Convention.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker criticizes President Barack Obama's fiscal policies while promoting the experience of GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney at the Republican National Convention.

Addressing the Republican National Convention, Former Senator Rick Santorum broke from the recurring theme of criticising President Barrack Obama's fiscal policies to emphasize social issues.

South Carolina Gov. Nikky Haley denounces President Obama's fiscal policies while depict GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney as a results driven leader.

TAMPA, FLa. -- Rick Santorum on Tuesday accused President Obama and liberals of advocating for abortions, an attack aimed at discrediting the notion that the Democratic Party is more inclusive than Republicans.

"I love how the left and this president talk about inclusion as they advocate the discarding and destruction of over one million children every year," Santorum said. "Some inclusion."

The former Republican presidential candidate spoke here at the "Treasure Life" event sponsored by the Republican National coalition for life and Family Research Council. His remarks came just days after Missouri Senate candidate Todd Akin's controversial statement that women are unlikely to become pregnant from rape and referred to "legitimate rape." It's also just hours before Santorum will take the stage at the Republican National Convention, where he is expected to deliver a speech centered on work and welfare reform.

In an appearance on CBS earlier today, Santorum delivered much milder words than many of his Republican colleagues who have weighed in on Missouri Senate candidate Todd Akin's controversial statement the women are unlikely to become pregnant from rape. He called Akin a "good man" who made a "ridiculous statement."

At the "Treasure Life" luncheon, Santorum received an award for his work as an anti-abortion rights advocate, as did former presidential hopefuls Rep. Michele Bachmann and Gov. Rick Perry. 

This was not the first time Santorum has accused the president of advocating for abortions. While campaigning in Ohio in February, the former Pennsylvania senator accused Obama of requiring free prenatal testing in the Affordable Care Act because it would detect if children were disabled, encourage more abortions and save money. 

"One of the things that you don't know about ObamaCare in one of the mandates is they require free prenatal testing," he said. "Why? Because free prenatal testing ends up in more abortions and, therefore, less care that has to be done, because we cull the ranks of the disabled in our society. That too is part of ObamaCare -- another hidden message as to what president Obama thinks of those who are less able than the elites who want to govern our country."

Santorum was known for his fiery rhetoric on the campaign. His strongest advocates were those in the Republican Party who place the heaviest emphasis on social issues. And though he was presumptive nominee Mitt Romney's biggest critic during the primary, he will defend the former Massachusetts governor when he takes the stage tonight.

"We can walk out of Tampa proudly with a platform and a nominee that stands for life," he told the crowd this afternoon.

Not all who spoke used such harsh words. Perry ended his speech with a plea for compassion for the women who decide to undergo an abortion.

"You know, we talk a lot about protecting unborn children, and we should," he said. "But we also need to recognize that there are women who ache because of the decision that they made to terminate the pregnancy. They live with those emotional scars.... Our message to these women that feel this pain from abortion, is not that we judge you, but we love you. And in you, that your heart aches, the pro-life movement looks upon you with open hearts. Our No. 1 imperative is to protect innocent lives." 

Nati Harnik / Associated Press

Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer applauds her supporters with her husband Bruce Fischer, left, at her election party May 15 in Lincoln, Neb.

Updated 11:20 p.m. — Insurgent Republican candidate Deb Fischer bested two rivals with superior financing and organizations to win the Republican Senate nomination in Nebraska on Tuesday. 

Fischer earned the right to face former Sen. Bob Kerrey in a Senate race seen as crucial to Republicans' chances of retaking the Senate next year. She and Kerrey will battle to succeed the retiring centrist Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson. 

Fischer bested her two Republican rivals, state Attorney General Jon Bruning and Don Stenberg, according to Associated Press projections. Bruning had enjoyed establishment support and had raised the most money, while Stenberg, who'd previously run for the Senate three times before, had worked to consolidate support from conservatives. 

A state senator who heads the Nebraska legislature's transportation committee, Fischer made a late charge for the nomination aided by a nearly yearlong fight between Bruning and Stenberg. 

Adding to that momentum was former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who on Monday released a letter in support of Fischer.

Romney wins Nebraska primary

“We admire your conservative principles and know that you will not go to Washington to amass great wealth or power. You will go to Washington to serve the people of Nebraska, protect our Constitution and work for common sense solutions to help restore America,” wrote Palin, who made a habit of backing insurgent and Tea Party Senate candidates in 2010, often shortly before Election Day.

Fischer won't face a cakewalk on her way to Washington, though. Democrats tapped former Sen. Bob Kerrey, who served two terms representing Nebraska before becoming president of The New School in New York City, to succeed Nelson.

But Republicans are optimistic that they can paint Kerrey, a Vietnam War hero who unsuccessfully sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 1992, as an out-of-touch liberal. Kerrey, for instance, said last week that he also supports same-sex marriage in light of President Barack Obama’s similar pronouncement – a position that might not prove popular with Nebraskans come November.

Fischer has been the least well-funded of the candidates, and her small organization relative to her two primary challengers could prompt more assistance from the national Republican Party.

Moreover, were Fischer to become Republicans’ candidate, she would be facing statewide exposure for the first time, and against a seasoned political figure like Kerrey.

Republicans' chances of winning the Senate could be diminished, though, if they fail to win over Nebraska. While Democrats will play defense this fall in more Senate seats than the GOP, Republican candidates have struggled to catch fire in some states that had been previously seen as opportunities, narrowing the party's pathway to a majority.

While Fischer's victory would seem at first glance to fall along the fault lines in 2010 Senate primaries, which pitted less-experienced conservative insurgents against establishment-backed Republicans, the three-way primary in Nebraska made for a more complex breakdown in political loyalties. 

Bruning had raised the most money and developed the most extensive organization. Both Rick Santorum, the erstwhile presidential candidate and former Pennsylvania senator, and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee had endorsed Bruning, giving him particular heft among the state’s social conservatives.

Stenberg, who had hoping the fourth time was a charm in his bid to win a Senate seat, won the backing of Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., a conservative kingmaker in primary races, along with the fiscally conservative Club for Growth.

Both Bruning and Stenberg had been fighting intensely in the GOP primary for much of the past year, aided in part by outside groups who have assisted each candidate.

Former Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum endorsed his one-time fierce rival Mitt Romney on Monday, a move that may help the party's presumptive White House nominee win over religious conservatives.

Santorum said in an unusual late-night statement that the two have differences, but that he came away from a meeting with the ex-Massachusetts governor impressed with Romney's "deep understanding" of economic and family issues central to the campaign.

"Above all else, we both agree that President (Barack) Obama must be defeated. The task will not be easy. It will require all hands on deck if our nominee is to be victorious," Santorum said.

"Governor Romney will be that nominee and he has my endorsement and support to win this the most critical election of our lifetime," he said in the statement, which was emailed to supporters.

The socially conservative former Pennsylvania senator, who won 11 state contests and was the favorite of Republican voters in a Reuters/Ipsos poll for the No. 2 spot on the ticket, is best known for his strong opposition to abortion and gay rights.

He clashed sharply with Romney in several televised debates, but his support may now help Romney win over religious conservatives before the November 6 election.

Santorum had been reluctant to give an endorsement, but he said that changed after a "clear-the-air" meeting with Romney in Pittsburgh on Friday. The question of endorsement did not come up, but Santorum said the conversation was candid and focused on issues.

"During our meeting I felt a deep responsibility to assess Governor Romney's commitment to addressing the issues most important to conservatives, as well his commitment to ensuring our appropriate representation in a Romney administration," he said.

"The family and its foundational role in America's economic success, a central point of our campaign, was discussed at length. I was impressed with the governor's deep understanding of this connection and his commitment to economic policies that preserve and strengthen families."

Santorum said he agreed with Romney on "the need for lower taxes, smaller government, and a reduction in out-of-control spending. We certainly agree that abortion is wrong and marriage should be between one man and one woman."

Laura Segall / Reuters

Republican presidential candidates former Senator Rick Santorum and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney stand before the start of the Republican presidential debate in Mesa, Ariz., Feb. 22.

WASHINGTON -- Rick Santorum is endorsing his one-time bitter rival Mitt Romney in a late-night e-mail to his supporters.

Santorum on Monday urged his supporters to join him in working with the effective Republican nominee to deny President Barack Obama a second term. In his message, Santorum reminded his supporters of areas where he disagreed with Romney during their slog of a primary.

Yet Santorum says that, in his words, "above all else, we both agree that President Obama must be defeated."

During their contest, Santorum bitterly clashed with Romney. At one point, Santorum called Romney the worst Republican in the country to challenge Obama.

The two met on Friday at the office of Santorum's strategist, and Romney sought to assure Santorum of his conservative credentials.

O'HARA TOWNSHIP, PA -- Mitt Romney incorporated April's less-than-stellar jobs report into his assault on the president's economic policies, which he said reflected a "sad time in America."

"Just this morning, there was some news that came across the wire that said the unemployment rate has dropped 8.1 percent.  And normally that would be cause for celebration, but in fact anything over 8 percent, anything near 7 percent, anything over 4 percent is not cause for celebration. But in fact the reason it dropped from 8.2 to 8.1 was not because we created a lot of jobs. As a matter of fact, only 115,000 net new jobs were created. That was well beneath what it was expected to be. It should have been in the hundreds of thousands but it wasn't. The reason the rate came down was because about 340,000 people dropped out of the workforce," Romney said.

Four percent unemployment, a number lower than that sometimes considered by economists as "full employment," is a high bar. The lowest unemployment rate recorded in the last decade was 4.4 percent, in May 2007.

The former Massachusetts governor also hit the president over the growing scale of the federal government, and issued a dire warning about what the future may hold under a second Obama administration.

"Government will control directly or indirectly over half the economy if this president is re-elected, and we will cease being a free economy," Romney said. "We have to ask ourselves, is that what America is? An economy governed by government, an economy run by government? In my view, we must be an economy, a people run by free people pursuing happiness in the way they believe is best for them and their families."

In a statement, the Obama campaign responded.

“From start to finish, Mitt Romney’s speech today was filled with dishonesty and distortions about both President Obama’s record and his own," Obama spokeswoman Lis Smith said in a statement. "Mitt Romney’s empty promises on job creation do not square with his record in either the private or public sector."

Romney, who declared succinctly that in regards to the economy, "liberal policies don't work," used today's campaign event outside Pittsburgh to not only attack president Obama's policies on the economy, but to highlight what he said was his own outreach to regular folks to better understand their struggles and successes.

"One of the great things I've had a chance to do over the last, oh, couple of years, is go across the country and meet everyday Americans. And it's made me both more optimistic and enthusiastic about our future, and also more sad as I've seen how tough times are for so many Americans," Romney said.

"The numbers don't really tell you what's going on in people's lives as much as actually talking to people and hearing their stories. And so before I begin an event like this, I typically am able to sit down with a few people on an off the record kinda basis. I agree not to say who they are to the members of my media -- my media, I don't have my media, I wish I had my media -- to members of the media. And I listen to them to hear their experiences. I'm amazed by the hard work and the entrepreneurial spirit of the American people," Romney said.

With media not allowed to attend, and no further information offered by the campaign, such meetings are impossible to verify independently.

The Romney campaign did confirm a meeting between the presumptive GOP nominee and one private citizen today: former Senator Rick Santorum, who suspended his cash-strapped campaign in April. The two erstwhile rivals spoke privately for some 90 minutes in the Pittsburgh office of former Santorum strategist John Brabender, according to sources briefed on the meeting.

Romney did not mention the meeting this morning, and Santorum has yet to offer his endorsement.

NBC's Andrew Rafferty contributed reporting.