Rick Santorum showed that he was capable of successfully leading a competitive national campaign. That's more than any of the conservatives that were up for the nomination in this go demonstrated, and something that was a knock on him prior to entering the primary.
He's going to be the standard bearer due to age, and has cut his chops with a presidential campaign (and quite successful one by republican standards) after Romney gets destroyed in the general.
Nonsense. He's done very well.
John Edwards didn't win 10 states. No republican nominee has ever won that many and not gone on to be the nominee in a subsequent election. Like it or not, Santorum's earned his spot. Since all you moderates insist that it's Romney's turn, it's going to be Santorum's turn in 2016.
And rightfully so.
I don't think Santorum completely proved that he can run a successful national campaign, I think he caught lightening in a bottle with the anti-Romney conservatives and rode that wave.
Rick never really gained any traction with the moderates and somewhat conservatives. It won't ever be his turn unless he can win those people over, which might be tough with his social agenda. Rick is just as flawed as Romney, he would lose against a strong challenger that can appeal to a bigger cross section of voters.
I think it will only be his turn again if the field is as weak in 2016 as it was this year.
