I do not think Santorum would be as horrible as you are suggesting, my take is that both the conservatives (yes, an 88 ACU rating is conservative) in the race, Newt and then Santorum would do well in the race, whereas it will be easier for the dems to take out Romney than the other two.
Santorum has his baggage (heck, so does Newt, BIGTIME), but I think you may be exaggerating Santorum's problems.
At this point, it is my belief that neither of them can stand against Romney without the other staying in the race. Romney will be able to focus on only one with his scorched earth tactics if the other leaves the race, but if he has to do it to both, he exposes himself, uses more of his campaign chest, and becomes weaker. If Newt and Santorum do not tag team Mitt back, he will win.
If Newt does not win, I can support Santorum, it is Romney who is the candidate of death, the only one IMHO that cannot win against Obama.
I respect your assessment of RS, and I would hope that you are right and that I am wrong.
Yes, he has a decent, and by decent, I mean “NOT GREAT” ACU rating, but beyond that, those ratings don’t measure success or accomplishments on these issues. It’s just a check box. I just don’t think RS can lead any kind of real needed change, even though he would perhaps believe most of the right things.
Talent matters.