Santorum says US 'belongs to God'

WASHINGTON (AP) - Former Sen. Rick Santorum says "America belongs to God" and liberals and progressives are trying to change its divine footing.

Santorum, who is weighing a White House run, told a conservative conference Thursday that U.S. citizens are mere stewards of God's gift. Santorum says he disagrees with critics of the United States who say the country is imperfect.

Santorum also strongly criticized President Barack Obama, his potential rival for the White House in two years. He told Conservative Political Action Conference participants they must not give up their opposition to abortion, gay rights - or Obama.

Santorum lost a bruising 2006 Senate re-election bid in Pennsylvania.