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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.

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.

I'm under no illusions, which is an insult. Of course, neither party's base is large enough.

The secret is, as has been stated above and in other threads, leadership which convinces the ignorant "undecided" masses.

Your entire post is arguing against a premise that isn't held, wasn't asserted, and wasn't needed by my arguments.