Someone Is Trying To “Santorum” Romney

Anonymous website spreads Seamus story.

Source: @EmilyABC

Rick Santorum’s “Google problem” proved to be a major distraction in his 2006 Senate campaign (and hasn’t gone away this year) — now someone is trying to do the same to Mitt Romney.

A website registered on Tuesday, “SpreadingRomney.com,” models the more vulgar “SpreadingSantorum.com” and links to the story of Mitt Romney’s dog being strapped to the roof of the family car during a roadtrip to Canada.

The dog, Seamus, reportedly defecated on the car during the road trip, and Romney had to borrow a hose to clean off the back window.

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich is also resurrecting the story in a new negative web video against Romney.

The new site is registered to a Jack Shepler, who runs an Indianapolis-based web design firm.

UPDATE: BuzzFeed got in touch with Shepler, who said he created the website on his own, and not on behalf of any organization or candidate.

“I just wanted to see what would come of it,” he said.

A self-described independent, Shepler said the site has already been shared hundreds of times on Facebook and Twitter.

“Pretty much all fo the Republican candidates are a joke, and the only one who isn’t is Ron Paul,” Shepler told BuzzFeed, “but I’m probably going to vote for Obama.”