This demographic is not all that stable. They include single as well as married women who are more interested in economic progress, a non-threatening foreign policy, and of course someone who is reasonably telegenic. It also includes a fair percentage of moderate Catholics. Santorum is Catholic. Besides, if he, as favorite son, peels of PA, Obama is toast.
I would hope that if Santorum were the nominee, he’d attract that demographic. Some years ago I was monitoring a gubernatorial election here in VA where in the closing weeks of the campaign, the D candidate made a huge issue of the R’s pro-life position (Wilder v Coleman, c. 1989?). I was shocked to see the white, middle class, family women at my then-neighborhood flocking to the polls to vote for Wilder. It was (at least then) a very R precinct. Wilder carried it by @ 60%, well above his statewide performance. The election was so close, Coleman got a free recount that turned out to be, essentially, the end of his political career. (well, except until John Warner resurrected him to run as an independent spoiler in ‘94 to fracture the R vote and assure that Chuck Robb would beat Ollie North for the U.S. Senate seat). My faith in white, middle class women to vote R was demolished that day.
Do you think Santorum could win PA if he were the nominee? PA hasn’t elected a president since 1856, and home-state pride sometimes helps, but not for George McGovern in SD in 1972.