It's time for the final "not Mitt Romney" candidate to rise.
I almost feel sorry for social conservatives that lined up behind Newt Gingrich. They've been getting cramps from tying themselves into knots defending his character issues. And if you're a person who likes to issue public statements judging the character of others, you've permanently lost the moral authority (pun intended) to bellow such statements in the future.
Though I'm not a Rick Santorum fan, at least his socially conservative supporters could be confident that he's a guy who backs his rhetoric with a personal adherence to a strict moral code. I'm puzzled as to why some on the religious right decided to ride the roller coaster with an unpredictable Newt instead of a candidate with unshakable right-wing bonafides.
The ongoing Republican primary has allowed many conservative voters an opportunity to decide that a bumpy ride with Newt isn't worth the aggravation. Rick Santorum is now poised to become the latest "not Romney" candidate for Republican activists.
The Romney campaign recognizes the threat and has turned its focus to attacking Santorum positions. Santorum's mission, meanwhile, is to prove that he, not Mitt, can win the crucial swing states in the Midwest.
SEE MORE ON PATCH