Here’s my NR cover story on Rick Santorum from 2006, just before his last election (which he lost):

Santorum has served as a leader on welfare reform, Social Security, and foreign policy. His dedication to the pro-life movement and traditional marriage is unmatched. Democrats and liberal pundits are eager to interpret his looming downfall as a repudiation of conservatism itself — and some Republicans might even believe it. …
Although he doesn’t serve on the Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee, Santorum has tried to shape the debate about American challenges in the post-9/11 world. “Some say we are fighting a war on terror. That is like saying World War II was a war on blitzkrieg,” said Santorum in a speech at the National Press Club on July 20. “Today, we are fighting against Islamic fascists.” His recent remarks on Iran have been especially harsh. This is the type of talk that gives the State Department jitters, even if it happens to be true.