The Santorum Surge explained

Like in 2008, conservatives are looking for a true conservative to be the GOP nominee. In Mitt Romney, they have a center-right republican. In Newt Gingrich, they have a conservative, but one with a slight independence streak. In Jon Huntsman and Rick Perry, they have two moderates. In Michele Bachmann, they have a conservative, but not one who they can feel confident about supporting. In Ron Paul, they have a total RINO who is a libertarian only running as a republican because he realizes he can't win as a libertarian. Former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum is arguably the most conservative candidate in the race, though Speaker Gingrich and Ms. Bachmann come close. However, Rick Santorum does not have Mitt Romney's money nor Newt Gingrich's grassroots support. However, Rick Santorum is enjoying increased support in Iowa. While Newt Gingrich is running a multiple-state campaign and Mitt Romney is focused on New Hampshire, Senator Santorum has been campaigning in Iowa. While grassroots conservatives, tea partiers, and traditional republicans support Gingrich and moderates and establishment republicans support Romney, social conservatives have had a hard time finding a candidate they can rally behind. Rick Santorum has spent more time talking about core social issues than any other candidate. This explains Rick Santorum's surge in the polls in Iowa. Rick Santorum also has an impressive record of accomplishment as a U.S. Senator; he fought for the bill to ban partial-birth abortion, was on the front-lines of Newt Gingrich's fight to reform welfare, and he led the effort to declare the Iranian national guard a terrorist organization. While I personally support Newt Gingrich, I am glad to see Rick Santorum make a surge in the polls because in my mind, there are 3 candidates in this race who have what it takes to lead America: Gingrich, Romney, and Santorum.