I for one am hoping it's Santorum and not Romney that gets the nomination

[rpannier]

This has nothing to do with how easily Obama would beat either.
I have little doubt that in the end Obama will beat either candidate quite handily
This has to do with squashing a common meme among the arch conservatives, that when Republicans lose races for the presidency it's because they're not conservative enough
Santorum would easily the most conservative candidate the republicans have run for president in over 75 years -- more conservative than Goldwater or Reagan could ever be

Watching Santorum get squashed on election night might begin to expose the republicans and their surrogates in the media that this reichwing hackery they've been spewing is just that -- hackery

My guess is we'll hear how badly his campaign was run, he is Catholic or he's just not very bright as the reasons he lost.
If they play on the Catholic meme, maybe suburban Catholics will get the message that the reich is NOT their friend. *
If they play on his stupidity, it exposes the base of the party for what they are 'substance-less people who are clueless as to who the vote for.'
Badly run campaign would be a face saver. But it would also expose how badly organized the party is.

* Although given the hysterics by the base over Romney being a members of the LDS Church, I'm not sure why Latter Day Saints have such an allegiance to the Republican Party.

This is just my opinion of course. And I'd prefer someone more progressive as President than Corporate-Obama

[kentuck]

1. I think more Repubs would vote for Santorum than Romney..

in a general election. Overall, there would be fewer Repubs that would find Santorum unacceptable than would find Romney acceptable. Obama might win. It's not a lock.

[rpannier]

2. Santorum would get creamed by his lack of votes from people who are not aligned with either party

and it would likely put dissatisfied Dems in the position of voting for Obama

[krawhitham]

3. Santorum is our better down ticket candidate

Obama beats either

[rpannier]

4. That's probably true, as the Republikkans running would have to endorse him

On the side of that argument is Bob Dole in 96.
Once it was abundantly clear he was dead in the water, the Republikkans jumped ship and began running ads that asked, "Do you want Clinton to have a rubber stamp Democratic Congress?"
It seemed to help some of the Republikkans running.

But, I do think the difference is...Santorum is poison. He's also not well liked or respected by his former colleagues
When you have both McCain and Coburn believe he is the dumbest person to ever serve in Congress, it doesn't help.

[AndyTiedye]

5. Too Dangerous. What if the Teabaggers Steal it For Him?

Teabaggers have taken over so many state governments that there is a real risk that they could steal the election if they are sufficiently motivated.
Think Ken Blackwell times 27.

[rpannier]

6. I don't think Santorum would be close in most of the states

It would be difficult for them to steal an election for a guy polling at 35%.
Besides, many of the larger states like Ohio have governors who don't like Santorum and have said he'd be a disaster as president