You can cross the name of US Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) off the list of potential 2008 Presidential hopefuls. Santorum told the Washington Post on Monday he will not be a candidate for President in 2008. “I have six children ages 4-14, and the idea of coming off a [2006 re-election] race of the intensity that I am engaged in at this point and turning around and running another two-year campaign for President is not something that I believe is in the best interest of my family … I can’t speak for other politicians but I can speak for me, and my intention is not to run in 2008,” he explained. Polls show Santorum trailing State Treasurer Bob Jr. (D) in his ’06 re-election contest.
While this statement has a bit of wiggle room, I tend to believe it. For one thing, there’s a good chance he’ll lose his re-election bid. While it’s not inconceivable to launch a successful presidential bid off the heels of failure for a lower officer–Richard Nixon did it in 1968 after having lost the 1962 race for California governor and the 1960 presidential contest–it would be quite daunting. And, frankly, while Santorum appeals to a certain element of the Republican base, he is not likely to be attractive beyond that.
