Rick Santorum Tailors Image to Take Advantage of Shifting Political Landscape

At Washington Post, "Rick Santorum has honed his image along the GOP campaign trail":

In the opening weeks of the Republican presidential race, Rick Santorum came across as a prickly, exasperated figure on the fringe of the debate stage, spending much of his airtime complaining about the lack of attention from the moderators.

But Santorum gradually has taken on a different image, one of a confident, good-natured and almost fatherly presence on the campaign trail who has shrewdly taken advantage of the shifting political landscape.

While his rivals attacked one another in the media glare, Santorum’s campaign has followed a carefully calibrated strategy to leverage his status below the radar.

Hearing from voters that Santorum’s electability was an issue, his advisers honed his message and focused his attention on a handful of states where he could win. When the controversy about contraception coverage and the Catholic Church emerged last week, Santorum leapt at the chance to address social issues, which are his strength.

And after nine months on the campaign trail, he has sharpened his stump speech, speaking with more confidence and authority and centering on a theme unique to his candidacy: It is impossible to tackle the economy without addressing the social problems that contribute to it.

Well, with Mitt Romney winning the CPAC straw poll and the Maine caucuses, the burden will be on Santorum to keep his momentum going. At this point I'm just holding out for March 6th. We'll have much clearer picture of the GOP race after Super Tuesday.