I think Rick’s helped Newt more than he hurt him. Rick’s the one who tore Mitt a new one in the last debate. He’s the one who got Obamacare back on the table. If he hurt anyone, it’s Mitt. In fact I read where Mitt was glad Rick was in to split the vote (though they say that’s not even true) but he hates Rick in because Rick gets him on the ropes.
Santorum got to address an issue only because he was not under personal attack, since he was considered too unimportant by the Romney campaign, which is focused on Gingrich.
He did a good job on that, but sadly, he agrees with Romney on a lot of other things and I suspect would be very happy to fold his principles for a shot at the postion of Romney’s VP. Right now Santorum is useful to Romney where he is, however, and I don’t think Romney will attack him yet.