Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania on Monday formally launched his bid for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012.

Speaking in Somerset, Pa., Santorum, who won a conservative following during his two terms in the Senate, hammered President Barack Obama on both economic and social issues.

"He's devalued our dollars and now he's devalued out other currency, our moral currency,'' Santorum said about Obama.

The former senator from the Keystone State attempted to contrast himself with Obama.

Former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux unveiled his finance team Monday, which he hopes will help him win the Republican nomination in 2012 and the ability to take on the Democratic incumbent U.S. senator, Bill Nelson.

I am thankful to earn the support of these great Floridians and humbled by their investment in my campaign, LeMieux said. I am especially honored to have the support of these business leaders and job creators who know the leadership it will take to get our economy moving in the right direction."

Former state House Majority Leader Adam Hasner, who is running for the Republican nomination for U.S. senator in 2012, highlighted his conservatism on Monday, signing the "Contract From America" and announcing the support of another prominent conservative figure.

Pointing to a report released Friday showing the national unemployment rate rose to 9.1 percent, Florida Republican Congressman Dennis Ross came out swinging at the White House, calling for House Republicans to play hardball with the Obama administration to get free-trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea.