Santorum keeps talking about abortion like that's the number one issue facing America.
Rick is just trying to create a niche for himself (I will never forget the social issues from which America derives its virtu !(a Greek word there for you, combining the concept of strength, courage, and yes virtue, all at once in a unified whole, to wit, the mensch)), since on fiscal stuff, he is just another pretty face.
I know what he's doing, but it's not a very good strategy to use in a time when social issues are the last things on most peoples' minds.