You make a very good point and even Mike Savage is calling Santorum "sanctimonious".
But here's the thing; Santorum believes what he believes not because its good positioning but rather because he believes it to be true.
And I think because of that he can answer these attacks honestly and effectively.
His answer on women in combat is a case in point. They tried to blind side him w/ that and his answer was not rehearsed in any way but reflected a core understanding of the differences between men and women.
Naturally it pissed off the feminists, but then what doesn't.
I'm concerned about attacks that come from Romney.
If a "fellow Republican" calls Rick "extreme," the Dems (and the media) will have a field day.