Perry: the Anti Santorum

While everyone has been looking for the Romney alternative, conservatives have been shifting wildly from candidate to candidate hoping for a legitimate social and fiscal conservative.  They went for Bachmann, to Perry, to Cain, to Gingrich and now to Santorum.  All this while, conservatives, particularly in the early states have been projecting their hopes for a candidate cut from the cloth of the traditional Republican base. In the process they've given rise to a number of unelectable candidates who are actually far more progressive than they realize.

Santorum's pork-barrel spending and ties to the infamous K-Street project, Gingrich's progressive positions on a host of issues, and Cain's lack of credibility have all made this an interesting primary process so far, but haven't helped advance the Republican cause in 2012.  While Santorum rises, and faces the heat of the spotlight on a record that prompted Pennsylvania voters to send him packing by nearly 20 points, Perry is now the anti-Santorum.  It might be so last September to say it - but for all those still pining for a "genuine conservative," Perry is the only candidate remaining in the race who isn't named Romney who has the experience, record and passion to satisfy the base. 

South Carolina is the real test for Perry.  Even with his financial bounce from his Iowa performance, Santorum still lacks the money and infrastructure to mount a real campaign.  Perry has resources and a better infrastructure than both Gingrich and Santorum while also having the benefit of a stronger record on the issues conservatives care about.  We will know soon if the campaign can rally, regain its footing and get back into the top tier.