DUBUQUE, Iowa:  If Ron Paul were the nominee, despite their completely opposing views on foreign policy - Iran in particular - Rick Santorum would vote for him over President Obama.

"I'd vote for anybody over Barack Obama, but I would have a lot of heartburn on the national security issues with Ron Paul," Santorum told reporters after a gathering outside a coffee shop here. Yesterday, Newt Gingrich said he would not vote for the Texas congressman if he were the nominee.

Santorum believes the United States should go into Iran if there is evidence that Iran is trying to develop a nuclear weapon. Paul, on the other hand, has repeatedly stated that there is no proof Iran is trying to make a nuclear bomb and if Iran were able to develop the weapon, it would be prove no danger to the U.S. or Israel.

The International Atomic Agency released a report last month that stated Iran was in fact trying to develop a nuclear weapon.

Ron Paul has one of the best organizations in Iowa; he and Mitt Romney are the frontrunners in the first caucus state.

Close to 100 people came to listen to Santorum make one of his final stops before Tuesday's caucuses. The former Pennsylvania senator, sporting a brown sweater vest and navy jacket with a Rick Santorum sticker displayed prominently, said he thinks Paul would be "the least likely to win against Barack Obama out of any of the candidates out there."

"My objective is to win the election, and you have someone who I think the vast majority of America would disqualify as commander-in-chief of the country," Santorum said, referring to Paul. "That makes it very, very difficult for us to be, to have him as our nominee."

He was also asked about Michele Bachmann's current 99-county, 11-day tour. Santorum said he "respect (s) the fact that she is trying to get around.

"But we did a courtship, we didn't speed date," he said, referring to his own campaign. "I mean, we went out and talked to folks and had coffee with them and talked to them and answered their questions.

"We didn't sort of run in and say, 'Hi, I'm great, see ya.' I don't think that's what Iowans are looking for. I think Iowans are looking for someone who respects them enough to listen to them, not just talk at them." Santorum has another event at a furniture store in Dubuque this afternoon before holding a rally in Cedar Rapids this evening.