To be more specific, I'd add that the Philadelphia metro area is less Republican than it used to be, but the Pittsburgh metro area, where Santorum is most associated with, is no longer the Democratic political Hell-hole that it used to be. Obama fared worse there than in any other northern metro area except for Cincinnati and possibly Indianapolis if you don't count Lawrence County as part of the Pittsburgh metro area.
I'd like to point out Pittsburgh's shift to the right because the rust belt is key in this election, and you don't get much more "rust belt" than Pittsburgh. The rust belt is eminently winnable with Santorum, since he fits in there unlike a Gordan Gekko Mitt Romney type.
States like Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania are relatively more conservative in social (AUL ranked Michigan as the most pro-life state and Pennsylvania third most), national security, and gun issues and weaker on fiscal issues. Again, just like Santorum.
Mitt Romney may appeal more to East Coast moderate Republicans. Who cares, though? Those states will still go D.
Gingrich may appeal the most to Southern Republicans. Who cares, though? Those states will be Republican no matter who we nominate.
Santorum appeals to Midwest and Rust Belt voters, and those are the ones that matter most since they are in the swing states which will decide the election.
So the plan is to move the party to the left on economics in order to be more “electable?” That’s more acceptable than moving to the left on social issues? How about we stick with a candidate who’s RIGHT on every issue...Newt.
"If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it." -Ronald Reagan
"Government does not solve problems; it subsidizes them." -Ronald Reagan
If I make computer programs, does that count as "manufacturing?" If I'm denied the tax holiday, I guess me and everyone who else who makes stuff can just sue to find out why the products we make don't count as "manufacturing" under Saint-orum's definition.