Rush to the Middle!

I really like the way Rick Santorum's campaign doesn't let a silly thing like logic get in the way of running for office.  I am getting a little sick of his argument that he should be the Republican nominee because he's the most conservative.  Then in the same breath he declares how important it is to get Obama out of office.  In all the primary exit polling the Republican voters have agreed with him: whoever the Republican nominee is will get their vote because they want Obama out.

So how does it make sense to pick the most conservative nominee?  Santorum says that Romney won't be able to differentiate himself from Obama, and will therefore lose the general election.  On the contrary, Senator, Romney's moderate placement makes him an ideal challenger to put up against Obama in November.  Consider how these two possible scenarios will play out:

1. Santorum somehow gets the nomination.  He steps up as Obama's challenger.  Republicans side with Santorum.  Democrats side with Obama.  The swing vote is up for grabs.  People who swung towards Obama four years ago may be a bit dissatisfied with him, but they picked him four years ago and they'll probably be inclined to give him a bit more time (four more years' worth).  After all, he convinced them to vote for him four years ago, so he'll probably do it again.  Obama for the win.
2. Romney gets the nomination, as everyone is already expecting.  He continues his well organized, well funded campaign on into the general election.  Republicans rally behind Romney, as planned.  Democrats side with Obama.  Suddenly the swing voters have a real choice to make.  No longer do they have to worry that a vote for Santorum is a vote for a crazy conservative that they can't identify with.  Now they've got moderate Romney to consider.  The swing vote now gets split, and with an alternative to Obama who swing voters can actually see from where they stand on the political spectrum (unlike Santorum, off in the right wing) they give Romney a chance and Obama finishes as a one-term president.

Q.E.D.