"Just don't think it is going to happen. Dislike of Santorum is very, very strong. He is a bit too Southern Conservative for PA (yes I have lived there for about 18 years). Too many hang-ups about sex that doesn't appeal to the Eastern part of the state )."
I know what you are saying, but the charicature of Santorum borders on bizarre ...
Santorum is an Italian-American, son of an Italian immigrant, Catholic, and married with many kids. Being a family oriented man doesnt give you "hang-ups about sex",
unless you think all of 70% of American against gay marriage is just 'uptight'...
Santorum is the most important race for conservatives.
the last real northeast conservative...
Really, that is only partly true. The reason is also the reason PA politics is often difficult to comprehend for those who do not live here.
The fact is, Eastern and Western PA have little to nothing in common. The eastern side of the state (Philly & small NE cities such as Allentown, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, etc.) is true blue blood northeastern RINO country. However, the area west of Harrisburg is nothing like that - conside it part of the midwest, as Pittsburgh has much more in common with cities such as Cleveland and Cincinnati than Philly.
The East is fiscally conservative and socially liberal (read: country club Pubbies). Central and West is the opposite - fiscal liberals (read: union mentality) and social conservatives (especially pro-life and pro-gun).
All in all, it is an odd mix statewide. The key for 'Rats is to get enough Philly turnout to swamp the rest of the state, while the Pubbie key is to generate enough Central and West turnout to overcome the Philly advantage.
Just not sure if Rick has the numbers to do it (especially after the Toomey-Specter debacle), especially with Rendell on the ballot bringing all the government leeches out to vote in the East.