Santorum’s Social Issues Box

The Hill
notes that Rick Santorum has been “unable or unwilling to escape
controversies over social issues” amid his rising prospects in the
Republican presidential nomination race.

“Santorum’s response –
welcoming the line of questions – reveals a side of the senator’s
personality that is unwilling to shy away from topics that other
national politicians fear would alienate centrist swing
voters… There’s logic to Santorum’s penchant for delving into such
controversies. Doing so has established his bona fides with conservative
voters, signaling that he is willing to stand up for core beliefs and
principles even when they’re unpopular. Relative to Mitt Romney – who
has struggled to shed the image of an opportunist willing to shift his
positions to suit the popular mood – that sort of conviction has proven
attractive to GOP primary voters.”