"Santorum surges from behind in Iowa" - retweeted by Rick Santorum

[Douglas Carpenter]

34. he was twice elected to the Senate from the ultimate bellwether state

Yes he is a complete dork. But he is an authentic dork - not a fake one. That might even work to his advantage in some circles. He looks like the kind of "real nice boy" that 1950's parents would have "trusted" with their daughter. I doubt that he does have any of the kind of scandals in his background that would likely derail his candidacy.

I suspect even many of his supporters know that he's pretty dorky just as many of Ronald Reagan's and George W. Bush's supporters knew they were electing ignoramuses. But that didn't stop them. I don't think that dealing with a Santorum candidacy would be the same slamdunk that a Gingrinch, Cain, Bachmann or Paul candidacy would be. I suspect it terms of beatability - I would guess it is in the same range as Perry - less electable than Romney or Huntsman - but not impossible like Cain, Gingrich, Bachmann or Paul. Yes, although less than likely - if he did become the Republican nominee - Santorum winning is not absolutely inconceivable.