Santorum attack ad in New Hampshire blaming Romney for collapse of Old Man of the Mountain proves too little, too late

Concord, N.H.--The smear factor on the road to the GOP presidential nomination just reached a new level in the Granite State. An attack ad by the Santorum camp on Mit Romney is being described as "beyond low" by political analysts across the country.

In the ad, a voice, which appears to be Santorum's, vaguely accuses Romney of destroying the Old Man of the Mountain, the iconic rock formation (shown on the state quarter series) that when viewed from the side appeared to be a withered, leathery man's face. The formation was located in the famous, rugged White Mountains.

Sadly, the Old Man of the Mountain came tumbling down the cliff face on an early May day in 2003 at the hand of Mother Nature, an emotionally difficult day for the residents of the New England state.

Santorum did his homework.

The advertisement, showing Photoshopped pictures of a hiking Romney, declared: "Can we trust a man who may or may not have had a hand in taking down one of New Hampshire's most treasured natural wonders? That's right, the crumbling of the Old Man of the Mountain may not have been by force of nature. Romney says he never hiked near the White Mountains, but I say show us proof. I say where were you on May 3, 2003? I say ... do you like to hike Mr. Romney? Mr. Romney, do you like to hike? [A different, more cheerful voice] This ad was approved by Rick Santorum."

Despite the ads, Romney prevailed in the New Hampshire primary and the candidates now prepare for South Carolina. "We're currently shooting an ad that focuses on Romney and the Gamecock, but I can't get into details," said one GOP contender.