Are you happy Santorum is surging?

Me? I consider myself a moderate. I'd like a smaller, less intrusive government that spends less and stays out of social issues as much as possible. As a fiscal conservative, I think that a smaller government would bring about less taxation, allowing people and companies that earned the money to spend it as they see fit instead of the government spending it as they see fit. Preferring a smaller government, I am socially liberal that believes people should make the decisions that will affect them instead of the government, as they know best what their personal situation is. I respect religion, but want government out of religion and I want religion out of government.

I supported Bush over Gore and over Kerry not because I liked Bush, but because Gore and Kerry were fringe candidates that appealed to the extreme wing of the Dem party. I supported Obama (first time ever for a Democratic President) over McCain / Palin because of Palin's joining McCain's team. I didn't like Obama, but thought it very important to keep a social conservative religious agenda out of the White House.

This election, I had high(er) hopes. The biggest issue we face is the economy and we had a candidate (Romney) that was a proven success in business, understands the economy and what businesses need to grow. He had been a popular and successful governor in a state overrun by Dems with a Democratic legislature and could work with both parties. He didn't take a salary while doing it, but did it to make necessary changes and get experience. He was asked to step in and save the Olympics when it was a mess, and proved leadership when he did so. A great family showed he had morals and understood commitment. While not everyone's cup of tea as he would be too liberal for some, too conservative for others, he seemed to be the right man for the right job, a good balance between the two sides, coming along at the right time.

Unfortunately, while he was acceptable to the Republicans, he polled best among the middle. Independents, Centrists, and moderates. Without a party representing that group he has had to try to win over the GOP. DOing so, he has moved further right in order to take votes from the social conservative candidates, but that costs him votes from the middle that will go back to Obama. Now weakened, we have seen the far right turn their back on him and support Santorum.

My belief is that while Santorum may be able to get the GOP nomination by getting 55% of that party's support, he will do horribly in the General election. That 55% of 1/2 the country translates into 28% of the US as a whole. Sure, he'll get more anti-Obama votes and more of the GOP, but will be unable to get Dems, Republican moderates, and most Independents / Centrists that do not want a religiously based social agenda.

That will leave us in November choosing from 1) a Democrat President in over his head that has proven he will get us deeper into debt and does not know how to correct this economy or what businesses need to grow, or, 2) a social conservative Republican nominee that has flip flopped on many issues, is not fiscally conservative, and couldn't even get reelected in his home state by those that knew him best. Basically, the two candidates that appeal to the two fringes.

Meanwhile, based on registered numbers, Democrats represent 35% of the country and Republicans about 30%. That leaves 35% in the middle unrepresented. Romney, that best represents that 35% and could pull from both other groups as well, will likely be watching from the sidelines.

So, back to the question:
Are you happy Santorum is pulling ahead of Romney and showing momentum?