Think it might be more accurate to say his EMPHASIS on social issues is hurting him? That would make more sense. Don't think the views themselves are hurting him. At least not with conservatives.
Why would a supposedly neoconservative magazine say it like that?
I would add the point the mainstream media is the one emphasizing Santorum’s social view to the detriment of his economic and fiscal views, which Santorum has been emphasizing.
Heck, today, Santorum even wrote an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal entitled:
My Economic Freedom Agenda
See here:
The press knew about this well in advance. But when the reporters talk to him, do they focus on this? when they report about him do they focus on this? NOPE.