That’s strange since Reagan ran as pro-life as did Bush.
“...Reagan ran as pro-life as did Bush.”
A major difference is that with Reagan, when you envisioned his political philosophy, his priorities, the first thing that came to mind was “anti-Communist, anti-USSR.” His pro-life position was a secondary consideration. In political terms developed since ‘80, Reagan was seen as a ‘national security’ candidate.
With Santorum, the first thing you think of is ‘pro-life,’ and ‘pro-(traditional) marriage.’ He is known primarily as a ‘social conservative,’ without an offset that involves the economy or national security. If Santorum were seen as strong on one of those issues it would affect the consideration of a pro-choice woman who would be willing put social issues lower on her priorities in consideration of a candidate to support.
Note: I am not saying Santorum hasn’t been involved in those issues, and am addressing perceptions only. The perception of Santorum is that he’s only a ‘social conservative.’ And the women I refer to are not those whose first and only issue is ‘choice,’ but those to whom it is important but not the only or top issue.
As to Bush ... well, he won his elections but not by margins approaching Reagan’s. He ran on a pro-life platform, but those social issues were not seen as his top and only issues.