A closer look at Santorum

Ramesh Ponnuru thinks Santorum is Romney's toughest primary challenger by far.

Unlike Perry, Santorum is articulate. Unlike Cain, he has political experience and knowledge of public policy. Unlike Gingrich, he has a personal life that seems to be above reproach. Romney has no advantage over Santorum in any of these respects.

Romney has cited his victory in a statewide election in a blue state to make the case that he can appeal beyond the party’s base. That’s something neither Perry nor Cain nor Gingrich could say. Santorum, on the other hand, won statewide in Pennsylvania (BEESPA), which hasn’t voted for a Republican presidential candidate in 24 years. And he did it twice.

 Please read the whole thing. I know that a number of people are put off by Santorum's strong social conservative streak, and worry that he will try to regulate the bedroom from Washington, D.C. Personally, I don't think that's a valid concern. Granted, I tend to agree with him in general on those issues at a personal level, but I don't think it's any business of fed.gov.

I think Santorum is the better all-around conservative candidate, and will display better fiscal discipline than Romney.

But you know the nice thing about elections? We all get to make our own choice, and there's this wonderful thing called the secret ballot.

All I ask is that you show up and vote your conscience.