Santorum is another example of how the Conservative movement is dead, for now. McCain wouldn’t take him (My money would be on Lieberman) and Santorum lost his re-election bid in PA to a Liberal Democrat by 18%.
That trend is the continuing decay of the rust belt. States like PA, OH, and MI are going to continue to trend left as their economies implode and people looking for a better life move to states with a future.
Michigan is a perfect example. The state has been in recession throughout the last economic growth cycle, has the highest unemployment in the country, and isn't getting better anytime soon. The left trending electorates vote for democrats that ensure the failed policies of the past continue. Michigan formed a public corporation to attract business to Michigan, the problem is that they paid for it using a new corporate tax.