Megadeth frontman backs Rick Santorum

(Photo Credit: Reuters)

Dave Mustaine, leader of the heavy metal band Megadeth, is ready to rock out for Rick Santorum.

"Earlier in the election, I was completely oblivious as to who Rick Santorum was, but when the dude went home to be with his daughter when she was sick, that was very commendable,” Mustaine recently told MusicRadar.com. “... You know, I think Santorum has some presidential qualities, and I'm hoping that if it does come down to it, we'll see a Republican in the White House... and that it's Rick Santorum."

Weighing in on the rest of the field, Mustaine called Newt Gingrich an “angry little man” and said Ron Paul will “make total sense for a while, and then he'll say something so way out that it negates everything else.”

As for Mitt Romney, the rocker said, “I've got to tell you, I was floored the other day to see that Mitt Romney's five boys have a $100 million trust fund. Where does a guy make that much money? So there's some questions there.”

Still, Mustaine would pick any of the GOP candidates over President Barack Obama.

"I'm just hoping that whatever is in the White House next year is a Republican,” he said. “I can't bear to watch what's happened to our great country. Everybody's got their head in the sand. Everybody in the industry is like, 'Oh, Obama's doing such a great job. ...' I don't think so. Not from what I see.”

Update: In a statement provided to Billboard.com on Wednesday, Mustaine clarified his remarks: “Contrary to how some people have interpreted my words, I have not endorsed any presidential candidate. What I did say was that I hope to see a Republican in the White House. I've seen good qualities in all the candidates but by no means have made my choice yet. I respect the fact that Santorum took time off from his campaign to be with his sick daughter, but I never used the word 'endorse.'"