(CNSNews.com) -- In response to a question about Donald Trump’s proposal to halt the immigration of Muslims into America until they can be securely vetted, presidential contender Rick Santorum said it was a “legitimate issue,” and stressed that “not all Muslims are jihadists” but “all jihadists are Muslims.”

At the GOP undercard debate on Tuesday in Las Vegas, moderator Wolf Blitzer asked former Senator Santorum, “you object to Mr. Trump's proposals on the grounds that it's unworkable. You've made religious liberty a hallmark of your career. Do you believe in religious liberty for Muslims as well as Christians?”

Santorum said, “Of course I do. But what Donald Trump was saying was nothing against Muslims. His comment was against this administration who doesn't have a policy to properly vet people coming into this country.”

“Let's just be honest about what's being talked about here,” said Santorum.  “And I know people will pile on because it makes sense to pile on, maybe from the polls. But he [Trump] brings up a legitimate issue.”

Santorum continued, “The fact of the matter is not all Muslims are Jihadists and no one, including I suspect, Donald Trump, would say that. But the reality is, all Jihadists are Muslims.”

“That's a reality,” said Santorum.  “And we have to stop worrying about offending some people and start defending all Americans. Because we're not, right now.”

The GOP undercard debate was held among four candidates who have not scored high enough in the polls to merit a place with the other candidates.  The undercard contenders included Santorum, former Gov. George Pataki, Gov. Bobby Jindal and Sen. Lindsey Graham.