I can see that he has a lot of support from blue collar people in the MidWest but there's nothing in his character and contributions that stands out as presidential-worthy. He is the type of embarrassment that I thought Republicans would want to avoid, not to promote.
If his support comes from people who see him as the last resort to Romney, then that means that there a large % of voters that are desperate. I don't really see the innate appeal for Santorum. His congressional record is not very astounding. He supported several bills that increased federal spending in domestic programs and the wars abroad. For the NCLB bill, he tried to push for a provision that would've included Intelligent Design in the common core standards for science. [1] His ideas on foreign policy is outright crazy and shaped by his religious zealotry. He said the following in the Pittsburgh-Post Gazette:
"...the fight against Islamic fascism is the great test of our generation. Leaders are obliged to articulate this threat and to propose what is necessary to defeat it. That is my purpose, and our national calling. The American people have always rallied to the cause of freedom once they understood what was at stake. I have no doubt that they will again."[2]
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santorum_Amendment
[2] http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06250/719619-109.stm
If his support comes from people who see him as the last resort to Romney, then that means that there a large % of voters that are desperate. I don't really see the innate appeal for Santorum. His congressional record is not very astounding. He supported several bills that increased federal spending in domestic programs and the wars abroad. For the NCLB bill, he tried to push for a provision that would've included Intelligent Design in the common core standards for science. [1] His ideas on foreign policy is outright crazy and shaped by his religious zealotry. He said the following in the Pittsburgh-Post Gazette:
"...the fight against Islamic fascism is the great test of our generation. Leaders are obliged to articulate this threat and to propose what is necessary to defeat it. That is my purpose, and our national calling. The American people have always rallied to the cause of freedom once they understood what was at stake. I have no doubt that they will again."[2]
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santorum_Amendment
[2] http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06250/719619-109.stm