What Rick Santorum brought to the table this election cycle, and what won over social conservatives, was his inexhaustible energy and conservative conviction. He spoke social conservatism like a native. Vastly out spent, counted out over and over again, and dogged by a media that never passed up an opportunity to derail him, Santorum refused to allow anyone else’s expectations to dampen his resolve. And Americans love someone who sticks to their guns.
But more than any of that, Rick Santorum gave five gifts to the GOP this election cycle and to social conservatism in the future that shouldn’t be ignored.
First, Rick made Mitt Romney a better candidate. Rick forced Romney to fight for the nomination harder than he would have otherwise. We watched in the debates as Romney got more adept and serious about responding to Santorum’s pointed lines of attack, especially on social issues such as marriage and abortion. Santorum kept these issues in the forefront.
Second, Santorum introduced the powerful connection between strengthening the family and strengthening the economy. He played up the connection between social conservatism and economic conservatism, broadening the GOP’s message in November beyond simple fiscal restraint and deepened its narrative down to the root causes of America’s perceived moral decline.
Third, Santorum restored confidence in the democratic process by running an old school campaign centered on retail politics. He reminded social conservatives that the barriers to entry are not necessarily as high as they may imagine. Yes, Romney’s infrastructure eventually overcame but for state and local social conservative candidates, Santorum’s success reminded them that, more than anything, message and character matter most.
Fourth, Santorum gave hope to social conservatives that their voice and numbers are powerful enough to continue shaping the political landscape. His campaign’s success defied elite expectations, including those of many leaders in the social conservative movement. Other social conservative candidates waiting in the wings I can bet you are quietly noticing how far Santorum got, and are taking pointers from how he got there. This practically guarantees that Rick Santorum won’t be the last candidate of his kind. Indeed, he may be remembered as the first of a new breed of conviction candidates, but that of course remains to be seen. 
Santorum announces he is suspending his candidacy on April 10.
(Gene J. Puskar - AP)
Fifth and finally, Santorum’s stubborn determination reminded social conservatives that it isn’t over until you decide it’s over. Santorum’s political opponents had convinced themselves after their 18-point victory over him in 2006 that they had buried his political career six feet under. Santorum proved them wrong. And whatever he decides to do in the future, he can rest assured that his exiting the race as a serious contender for the Republican nomination means he has denied his political adversaries the last word.
Refusing to give up after a stinging loss, that’s something social conservatives needed to see after their political setbacks in 2008.
Choosing to keep up the good fight even when the odds were long, that’s something all Americans needed to witness, too.
So thank you, Senator Santorum.
Thomas Peters writes at CatholicVote.org, which endorsed Rick Santorum for president.
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