“Lots of soldiers don’t get to spend the time they’d like with their families because they are called to a higher cause. I suspect Santorum is driven by a similar love of country and sense of higher purpose.”
Are you equating military service to a political climbing?
If I had been, I would have said, "...Santorum is driven by the same love of country and sense of higher purpose..."
I did not. I said "similar". Many people place different things above their family; some are noble, others not so much. If Rick believes that he is the best candidate in this race and is best suited to be president to 300+ million Americans, than it would be wrong for him to slink away.
Many who are now criticizing Rick for not packing it in also criticized Palin when she announced she would not run, precisely for failing to recognize there were some things bigger than her family.