Santorum had plenty of defined positions and a well-established history as a full-spectrum conservative. Many don’t know that he has been much more aggressive on immigration issues than practically anybody, and for a long time. BUT, he was underfunded, underorganized, lacked retail charisma and Republicans hungry for a win didn’t take well to his huge defeat in Pennsylvania in 2006. Some also resented his endorsement of Arlen Specter.
While his religious credentials helped him with conservative Catholics and Evangelicals in Iowa, they would NOT have helped him if he were not a conservative besides anyway.
Neither Cruz nor Santorum ran on simply evangelical credentials. That’s more Huckabee and Robertson turf. Huck, of course, won a majority of southern states, though he is less conservative than Santorum.
Santorum didn't campaign on any "well defined positions." He campaigned by standing in front of a banner that read "Courageous," talking about how courageous he was, and then badmouthing his competitors. Santorum's Issues page on his website had Pornography on the top of the list for most of the election cycle.
The idea that Santorum had an Issues Orientated campaign is silly. He had a social conservative campaign, maybe, he had a prayer campaign, maybe, he had a sweater vest campaign, maybe, but he was shallow and spent most of his time making his religious appeal. Hence he was Saint Rick, and not regular Rick trying to win an election.
I was especially pissed at Santorum in the way he tore down fellow competitors, even after promising he wouldn't. He spent more time tearing down other people's ideas than he did talking about his own.
Santorum was a train wreck. He never had a chance. He should never have been given that chance, especially after Arlen Specter and his right to work votes.