Total irrellevant, Nixon was a national politician, before California and after, the attempt at the California race was a WTF were you thinking for Nixon..
trying to compare Santorum, WHO TO THIS VERY DAY WOULD LOSE PA BY 15+ POINTS IN A SENATE RACE, to Nixon’s weird foray to go for the Cali Governorship is not remotely relevant, and attempting to equate the two shows ignorance of political history of both Nixon and Santorum.
Santorum, to this very day could not win a statewide race in PA... not only would not win, but would LOSE BY A HUGE MARGIN! Comparing Santorum to Nixon is an gross overestimation of Santorum and a complete insult to Nixon.
I suppose Gingrich or Romney would win Pa. by a landslide.
Something about him tells me he would "lose it" in a big way when the left opens both barrels on him; he would likely reply in an arrogant and crybaby manner and turn off many voters.