Rick Santorum knocked Sarah Palin’s decision to skip CPAC, saying on Tuesday  that she must have “business opportunities” that are keeping her from the annual  conservative conference that is a showcase for potential presidential  contenders.

“I have a feeling that she has some demands on her time, and a lot of them  have financial benefit attached to them,” Santorum told conservative commentator  S.E. Cupp, who hosts an online radio show on Glenn Beck’s website.

Santorum added that Palin has “other business opportunities” — implying her paid speeches were the former Alaska governor’s priority.

The former Alaska governor has become a money-making machine since 2008, with  her annual income estimated as high as $30 million.

Santorum — the father of seven children — also said that Palin has “other  responsibilities,” such as raising her children, that he doesn’t.

“I don’t live in Alaska and I’m not the mother to all these kids and I don’t  have other responsibilities that she has,” he said.

Palin has turned down every invitation to speak at CPAC, fueled in large part  by an ongoing fight between her and David Keene, the American Conservative Union  president, who has publicly criticized her. She cited a scheduling conflict this  year.

The CPAC gathering kicks off Thursday in Washington, D.C, and features  appearances by Santorum, Michele Bachman, Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney, Mitch  Daniels, Tim Pawlenty, Rick Perry, Haley Barbour,  John Bolton and  others.  (read more)