The point is that Santorium is not just an average senator, but one of the best. Now, that might not speak much for that particular body but it is undeniable.
It is of absolutely no benefit if he goes and a extraordianary loss if his Dem opponent (a faux conservative Dem) replaces him
I bash my Senators mercilessly.
Santorum cannot even be mentioned in the same breath as your two senators. SPECTER could not even be mentioned in the same breath.
Washington's senators are the worst in the nation. Worse than Boxer & Feinstein. Worse than Kerry & Kennedy. The reason they win in your state is because "conservatives" there will stay home or vote third party rather than a flawed Republican.
I really don't want to lose Santorum to that type of thinking.
And as senators go, Santorum is almost flawless.
And your "Santorium is one of the best Senators" assertion is only accurate if you're talking about the Senate as a whole. As far as GOP Senators are concerned, he's not even close.