Jan. 7 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. Representative Ron Paul of Texas, touting his opposition to spending bills in Washington, said in a debate of the Republican candidates for president that former Senator Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania is “a big- government conservative” who supported excessive spending.

To contact the reporter on this story: Mark Silva in Washington at msilva34@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Mark Silva at msilva34@bloomberg.net