‘why some Conservatives favor Santorum over Gingrich.’
Because the media convinces them - by repeating Gingrich’s ‘baggage’ and burying Gingrich’s positives, while going easy on Santorum’s ‘baggage’.
While these consertvative frown on Gingrich’s ‘baggage’, they look for something that appeals to them. Santorum comes in with his saintly talks and together with the media sweep them towards his obama-like image - only this time instead of adoring a ‘messiah’, they are adoring a saint.
Both of you nailed the question as to why some conservatives favor Santorum over Newt.