Santorum looks better than he would if he were on the receiving end of some of the incoming which was directed at Newt. When one isn’t attacked, he can appear to be above the fray.
Santorum is definitely better than Romney, but the reality is not quite what the more recent perception of him has been.
Santorum is not above the fray at all - like you said.
You could say he is
A: Part of the fray: He is attacking Newt with ads.
B: Below the fray: no one takes him seriously enough to attack him.
C: off to the side of the fray, because no one is shooting at him.
But above it? Laughable.
If he ever becomes the target of the fray, he will be at like zero per cent in no time. He has BIG LIBERAL STINKIES in his past.
Been around much the last 15 years? For well over a decade now, Santorum, and by extension his family, have been the subjects of some of the most vile, odious vitriol served up by the most vicious and most outspoken ranks of the pink swastika wearing, baby killing left.
Not many have noticed it precisely because Santorum has not waivered or bent in spite of their onslaught.
You can say all you like that Rick has not been subject to attacks. That doesn't make it so.