Santorum has no charisma. He has weird facial expressions when confronted with a difficult question. Like it or not this is the age of 24-7 TV. Like it or not, your looks and personality means a lot to the low-information voters.
From my observation Cruz and Rand are the best in answering all gotcha questions with smoothness, aplomb and not having the deer in headlights look like Palin had in 2008. I would absolutely be thrilled to heaven if she becomes president buyt 50 years of observing politics tells me she can not win, unfortunately.
You make some fine points. I suppose we are going to end up with Christie and then lose again to whatever Democrat they chose. Such a shame.