Santorum may not survive, and we may have to wait 6 years. But if heresy is punished there, the others might be encouraged to stay less impure. Defiance of the base with impunity is not representative government. Just a thought, worth what you paid for it!
You seem to be operating under the illusion that the "base" vote is sufficient for deciding a man's election. This is false.
Both Democrats and Republicans need to garner support from a wider portion of the electorate than their hardcore base.
This is especially true in a state like PA, where social conservatism mixes with the old New Deal/blue collar/ethnic mindset. Rick Santorum can not get elected without considering those whose votes he needs to receive. It would be nice if he had a 50 per cent plus 1 electorate full of hard right FReepers.
But he doesn't. He must deal with reality. If you believe he will learn a lesson from being "punished" as you sugest, perhaps you have not thought this through. The lesson likely to be learned is that the hard right is not a reliable source of needed votes. This pushes the candidates to the left.
SD