Exploring Rick Santorum's Winning Strategy in the Republican Primary

History and recent trends suggest that Rick Santorum has a compelling case to secure the Republican nomination. If we look at the precedent established over the past five decades, the candidate who finished second in the previous primary often goes on to win the subsequent primary.

Out of more than 50 years, there have been just two exceptions: George H W Bush, who won purely due to name recognition, and one case where the second-place candidate left the party before the next primary cycle. In this article, we will examine whether Rick Santorum is likely to leverage this historical pattern to his advantage by focusing on wage issues, or if he will stick to his established platform of social issues.

Historical Precedent and Current Context

Rick Santorum secured second place in the last primary, making him a formidable contender. He has a clear path to formidable candidacy if he can navigate through the upcoming primary states. However, it is crucial to consider whether Santorum will focus on wage issues or continue to prioritize social issues, given his track record and the expectations of the party.

The irony is that if Santorum were to be focused on economic issues, particularly wages, his current strategy might seem logical. However, history and recent polls suggest otherwise. Many observers argue that Santorum is unlikely to shift his focus to more quantitative and less polarizing topics. The reasons for this are multifaceted and rooted in party dynamics and his unique stance on the issues.

Focus on Social Issues Over Economic Issues

Rick Santorum has often been criticized for his strong stance on social issues. His theocratic ideas and promises of an American Christian version of the Taliban have already alienated a significant portion of the mainstream Republican electorate. These radical claims are seen as too extreme and go against the core principles of secular American governance. As such, it is highly unlikely that Santorum will pivot towards economic issues such as wage concerns, as these would be perceived as a compromise of his political principles.

Key Points: Santorum's theocratic ideas are seen as too extreme for mainstream Republicans. Economic issues such as wages are considered unlikely to gain traction for Santorum given his social platform. There is no evidence to suggest Santorum has a strong grasp of economic policies or theories.

Impact on the Republican Race

The race among social conservative candidates like Rick Santorum and Ron Paul (Metameaning Huckabee and Santorum splitting the vote) suggests that neither may be able to maintain a strong showing beyond the first few primary states—New Hampshire and South Carolina, in particular.

The majority of Republicans and voters in general do not believe either of these candidates can win the nomination. Additionally, both Santorum and Paul represent positions that are increasingly to the left of the majority of Republican voters, especially on issues such as taxes and spending. This further limits their potential for success in the primary process.

Conclusion:

Rick Santorum's likelihood of winning the Republican primary, based on his historical precedent and current focus on social issues, is less likely to shift towards wage issues. His radically socio-religious agenda and past performance in the Senate suggest that he is more inclined to maintain his existing platform rather than adopt a new, more economic-centric approach. Thus, the Republican voters and primary states will have to decide if his existing credentials and message align with their expectations for the party's nominee.