There are all kinds of reasons to discount tonight’s results. And Santorum’s speech wasn’t great, although it contained a promising theme about Obama’s schoolmarmish snobbery that’s full of contempt for even the conscience of the ordinary believer. But Santorum’s still the conservative alternative now, and, as one of the commentators says, he speaks authentic and fluent conservative. Maybe Santorum’s best point was that it’s stupid to nominate Romney because he’s the richest and best organized candidate. No Republican will be either against Obama. The Republican will have to count on other attributes. Romney’s still the overwhelming favorite (although he had a wretched night), Newt is toast (unless he really is Freddie), and for Santorum it’s on to Michigan, which I think he can win. Mitch Daniels’ chances improved considerably, maybe to one in twenty. Santorum’s chances of going all the way to convention may now be one in four, but improving rapidly.
