Santorum: Breitbart 'a huge loss for our country'

Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum on Thursday reacted with shock to the news that conservative internet provocateur Andrew Breitbart had passed away at the age of 43.

"Wow," Santorum told CNN. "That's a big shock. What a powerful force. It's almost -- I mean, you think of anybody out there who's just more energy and just, you know, out there constantly, you know, driving and pushing."

"What a huge loss, in my opinion, for our country and certainly for the conservative movement," he added. "My prayers go out to his family. I'm really sorry to hear it."

Less than a week ago, the candidate and Breitbart had appeared together at a fundraiser for Americans for Prosperity, a tea party "grassroots" group funded by billionaires Charles and David Koch.

Watch this video from CNN's Newsroom, broadcast March 1, 2012.

(H/T: Talking Points Memo)