[Engraved-on-His-hands]

While Santorum's profile in Congress as a social-issues crusader bought him entree with influential evangelical conservatives in Iowa, it's his unhesitating attack on liberals that seems to be fueling his rise in internal polls by rival campaigns.

''Let's look at colleges and universities,'' Santorum said in the ballroom of the restored Frank Lloyd Wright Park Inn Hotel on Mason City's town square. ''They've become indoctrination centers for the left. Should we be subsidizing that?''

Santorum tossed out Harvard University's motto, ''Veritas,'' Latin for truth. ''They haven't seen truth at Harvard in 100 years.''

Go Rick!

Join the fight: www.ricksantorum.com

[Antoninus]

In recent days, Santorum's crowds have started growing as he rallies conservatives with a pit bull's pugnaciousness, and just a touch of anger.

I like the anger. One of the knocks on Santorum is that he comes across as "too nice." A little passion could certainly turn that around.

I think Rick is hitting his stride at just the right moment. How great would it be if the voters came out for him...