Santorum lost PA, similar to what you describe above, by over 18% in his last state-wide election. It's close to one of the worst defeats suffered by a sitting Senator in the history of the US.
Think about it.
There are reasons for it.
“Santorum lost PA, similar to what you describe above, by over 18% in his last state-wide election.”
As I recall, he lost PA after he stabbed conservatives in the back by supporting Specter...
“In 2006, Santorum sought re-election to a third Senate term and ran unopposed in the Republican primaries. His seat was considered among the most vulnerable for Republicans and was a prime target of the Democratic Party in the 2006 elections. His opponent was Democratic State Treasurer Bob Casey, Jr., the son of popular former governor Robert Casey, Sr.. Casey was well known for his opposition to abortion, negating one of Santorum’s key issues....Santorum’s endorsements have been identified as factors in his 2006 defeat. Despite then-President George W. Bush having a 38% approval rating in Pennsylvania, Santorum said in a debate that “I think he’s been a terrific president, absolutely.”[94] Also problematic was Santorum’s 2004 endorsement of his Republican Senate colleague Arlen Specter over conservative Congressman Pat Toomey in the 2004 primary for Pennsylvania’s other senate seat. Many socially and fiscally conservative Republicans considered the Specter endorsement to be a betrayal of their cause.” - Wiki
“Democrats gained 30 House and six Senate seats, taking control of both chambers of Congress amid a series of scandals involving GOP lawmakers and weariness with the Bush administration and the Iraq war...
...”Rick was their No. 1 target that entire cycle,” said Dan Ronayne, who worked for the National Republican Senatorial Committee that year. “The first Democratic attacks came about a week after the 2004 election.”
Democrats scored a coup by recruiting Mr. Casey to run. Mr. Casey was the son of a popular former governor with anti-abortion and anti-gun-control credentials, neutralizing two potential Santorum advantages.”
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204331304577145130339074066.html
Mariner I live in PA Santorum lost cause the state had become toxic to republicans in 2006 George Bush had about a 30 percent approval rating in the state and his opponent just wrapped him around Santorum’s neck on top of that fast Eddie was running for reelection on top of the ticket and because his campaign was in the bag by about April of that year Eddie spent alot of his time campaigning for Casey....Romney would have lost by a similar margin had he actually run for reelection in mass and Newt is Newt good luck finding soccer moms for Newt