Anybody that thinks Santorum is a fiscal leftist suffers from political dyslexia.
One only needs start with his own comments in support of pork projects. Then even his social conservative bonafidies take a serious hit when he supported Specter the abortion guy who then changed to Dem to give them the 60 vote majority. His support for no child left behind was a zinger wasn’t it?
While I don't agree with CynicalBear, I wouldn't go quite so far in saying he doesn't have any point at all.
Santorum is a faithful Roman Catholic. He believes what his church teaches. Roman Catholic views on social policy are not always in line with modern American conservative thinking, and this isn't a recent development. As a Calvinist, I happen to believe that much of the development of modern capitalism would have been impossible without the Reformation and I have fundamental problems with Roman Catholic ecclesiastical history when it comes to economics and politics. However, I will not blame Santorum for being faithful to what his church teaches — if you don't believe what your church is teaching, you should not be a member.
Furthermore, Santorum is from Pennsylvania, not Texas, not the West, and not the Deep South. As an elected official, he had to deal with strong unions and had to rely on the support of ethnic blue-collar voters who were a key part of the Reagan Democrat coalition. It is not fair to blame an elected official for doing what his constituents clearly wanted. That's his job, assuming, of course, we're not talking about demands to voters to violate his oath to support the Constitution.
I expect a person from that background to have had votes which are not always what I would like.
Most evangelicals decades ago decided to let the abortion issue trump our theological differences with Roman Catholics so we can work together in secular politics. I'm willing to overlook political positions Santorum may have taken on economic issues that are consistent with a Roman Catholic version of “compassionate conservative” views. I don't deny those problems are there, but I'm willing to overlook them based on his pro-life positions, which **ALSO** come directly from what his church teaches.
Government's primary job under God is to use the sword of the magistrate to protect its people. Santorum is fine on that issue, despite other things where we disagree.
Gingrich, despite all his moral problems, has never to my knowledge wavered on his opposition to baby killing or support for a strong defense. That makes a major difference to me.