I wouldn’t be so quick to lump Santorum in with Romney/Huntsman/Pawlenty. He hasn’t gained traction, and he’s not going to get the nomination, but he’s FAR from a “RINO” in just about anyone’s book.
Santorum was fiercely targeted in his ‘06 race by the left, especially the gay lobby, for his very vocal support of DOMA. He ended up losing in a big Dem year to what has become a totally ineffective senator who ran on his late father’s coattails. I’m not so sure PA wouldn’t like a do-over.
Understand all you point out however his support of Arlen did it for me. Plus he has that Elsie Hillman smell about him. I am no fan of the Hillmans. They are country club, republican RINOS.
As a Pennsylvanian, I used to have faith that Santorum would be different when he was first elected in 1994.
But in 1996 he was supporting the presidential candidacy of Arlen Specter (the Huntsman of that campaign).
In 2004 Rick flew all the way to Alaska to support RINO Lisa Murkowski.
He twisted the arms of the local pro-life group to prevent endorsment of a pro-life candidate (backed by Sarah Palin) opposing Pro-Abortion Murkowski in the GOP primary.
The recent change in rhetoric by Santorum is just to fit the times. He learned a lot from being the junior senator to Arlen Specter for all those years.
Santorum’s fundraiser worked for Romney in 2008. Santorum is in the race to take conservative votes and help divide the conservative vote so Romney wins the nomination.