I'm still shocked that with the most important POTUS election since 1860 upon us, we have the weakest collective slate of candidates to run for any position ever running (my man love for “His (former) Rickness” notwithstanding).
I think you’re greatly underestimating Santorum’s chances in the general.
Both Romney and Santorum would easily win all 22 McCain states, plus IN and the Omaha CD. I think that both would carry NC, FL and VA (Romney would do better in NoVA, while Santorum would hsve higher margins in the rest of the state, but both would win). So each would start off with 248 EVs.
Then there’s OH, with 18 EVs. I think Romney’s odds of winning there are good, but Santorum’s are better. NH has 4 EVs: I think Santorum’s odds of carrying it are good, but Romney’s are better. With OH and NH, both Romney and Santorum would get to 270 and thus win.
And Santorum could also get to 270 if he lost NH but won one of PA, WI or IA (or one of MI, MN, NV, CO or NM, for that matter).
So while Santorum is not a perfect candidate, he can win, and he’ll make a terrific president. Unlike MA with its Senate race, the U.S. as a whole won’t have to face a choice between syphillis and herpes.