Byron York, a prominent voice in conservative media, generated some interesting discussion yesterday with a fairly straightforward question: "Why isn't Rick Santorum the GOP 2016 frontrunner?"
Now, the next presidential race is still years away (we just finished the last one); we don't know who'll run; and naming a "frontrunner" at this point is obviously premature, but if the point that underscores the question is why Santorum isn't taken more seriously, I have a few ideas.
Earlier this week, Santorum accepted an award at a Students for Life event, and during his unscripted remarks, the former senator reflected on abortion-rights advocates making people uncomfortable in YMCA showers.
"They make it uncomfortable for students who come to Austin to shower at a Young Men's Christian Association -- YMCA -- gym," he told the group. "Because they live it. They're passionate. They're willing to do and say uncomfortable things in mixed company."
And apparently that's how a culture war is won?
Santorum went on to talk about the American Revolution, saying we won because Americans "wanted it more" than the British, and apparently arguing that contemporary liberals are comparable to the Continental Army. "That's how the left has done to America what you've seen in your lifetime -- because they simply won't give up," he said.
He added, "We have the truth and we give up. We have righteousness and we give up -- because it's unpopular," Santorum said.
And since Santorum doesn't much care whether his opinions -- on showers, on contraception, on "man on dog" relations -- are "unpopular," he's inclined to keep sharing his views and offending the American mainstream.
So why isn't Santorum seen as a major political force and likely future president? I'd say this has a lot to do with it.