Senator Santorum calls Hitler quip 'mistake

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A Republican senator who likened Democrats to Adolf Hitler during a heated debate over the future of U.S. judicial nominees on Friday said such language was a "mistake."

Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania released a statement saying that "Referencing Hitler was meant to dramatize the principle of an argument, not to characterize my Democratic colleagues."

"It was a mistake and I meant no offense," added Santorum, who holds a key spot in the Republican leadership.

It was a mistake? Meant no offense? That's exactly what you meant by that statement. Be prepare to here those words again, Sen. Santorum. You'll be eating them come election time in 2006!

Semper Fi