Palin to Santorum: 'Don't Retreat'

In an interview on Fox News Monday night, Sarah Palin defended the "bull---" comment Rick Santorum made to New York Times reporter Jeff Zeleny over the weekend. Palin characterized Zeleny as "that liberal leftist in-the-tank-for-Obama press character" and applauded Santorum for accusing him of distorting his words.

"It was good, and it was strong, and it was about time because he's saying enough is enough of the liberal media twisting the conservative words, putting words in his mouth, taking things out of context and even just making things up," Palin told Greta Van Susteren. "Welcome to my world, Rick, and good on ya. Don't retreat."

[New Santorum Ad Links Obama and Ahmadinejad]

In an e-mail to reporters today, the Santorum camp paints Palin's comments as part of a "conservative outpouring of support" for "standing up to the New York Times."

During a rally in Wisconsin on Sunday, Santorum said Romney is "the worst Republican in the country to put up against Barack Obama." When Zeleny asked the former Pennsylvania senator about the comment, Santorum appeared angry and clarified that he meant Romney is the worst Republican to run on the issue of Obamacare. "Quit distorting my words," Santorum told Zeleny. "If I see it, it's bull---."

Palin has not endorsed a Republican candidate for president. Ahead of primaries in South Carolina and Florida, she urged voters to pick Newt Gingrich, and she has continually argued that Republican voters need a conservative alternative to Mitt Romney. Still, she has not made an official statement of endorsement or actively participated in campaigning. "I want to see this thing continue because iron sharpens iron, steel sharpens steel," Palin has said referring to the protracted nominating campaign.

• ReadRomney's Southern Appeal.
• Check outphotos of Obama's re-election campaign.
• Read Santorum's Last Hope: A Brokered Convention.