Here come the ads

If the Republican presidential candidates are in Nevada, the ads mustn't be far behind.

Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum released new radio spots today in advance of Saturday's caucuses.

Santorum's combative spot, which his campaign says is airing nationally, underscores his argument that Newt Gingrich is a faux conservative who has disqualified himself from contention.

In a message to rightists and Tea Party Republicans, the 60-second spot declares Gingrich "went from a big lead to a big defeat" in Florida "despite spending millions."

"Why? Because voters discovered Gingrich wasn't a true conservative," the ad intones, going on to tie the former House speaker to health care mandates, bank bailouts and the cap and trade energy policy.

If that wasn't enough, "He even supports giving some illegals amnesty," it says.

By contrast, Santorum "opposes mandates, amnesty and bailouts."

"Rick Santorum. He doesn't just talk a good conservative game, he lives it."

Meanwhile presumed front-runner Romney is the focus of a minute-long spot advertising his  "success for the pro-life movement" and "on the right side" of issues close to social conservatives such as human cloning and same-sex marriage

Over soft music,  a woman says "Mitt Romney believes to strengthen this nation we have to strengthen the family."

"Mitt Romney.  Because it's time we started believing in America again."