Santorum II

Rick Klein: “He comes to the race as last time’s runner-up, the guy who outlasted the Cain-Bachmann-Gingrich-and-company primary to be the last man standing against Mitt Romney. That might be Rick Santorum’s advantage, but it will also be his burden. Yes, the party’s moved on so much – and the field is so much better – that Santorum is in danger of not even getting one of the 10 invites to the first GOP debate, in August. He won Iowa (belatedly) last time, but still lost the nomination; next year’s caucus field will include another former winner, Mike Huckabee, plus Ted Cruz, Scott Walker, and Rand Paul, just to name a few who’ll be competitive.”

“His path back needs to include his same small handful of wealthy friends – Foster Friess is on board again – and a revitalized message. As he makes his big announcement Wednesday at a manufacturing plant in the working-class Pennsylvania town he grew up in, we’ll begin to see how and if a second Santorum run can expand his social-conservative message to include economic empowerment. Pizza Ranches, the “Chuck Truck,” and maybe even sweater vests await.”