Santorum told our Bob: “Number one, when you go to Iowa, you speak not just to Iowa, but to folks across the country. This is a very important moment in America. I can address President Obama’s power grab. Number two, I’ve been traveling around the country doing a lot of speaking and listening. I’ve been to Iowa and New Hampshire on a couple of occasions. I’ve spoken with party activists who take the business of being either the first caucus or first primary very seriously. They’ve given me many good insights and good things to contemplate, to help me reflect upon the real concerns among conservatives about what’s going on in this country. I’ve been able to talk to people who are out there in the grassroots, leading the charge and leading tea parties.”

Sounds like a healthy attitude to me. People are buzzing. And the former senator is using the opportunity to edify himself and, hopefully, the country, by focusing on issues that might otherwise get underplayed. I don’t know if he’s going to run — he probably doesn’t either — but what’s wrong with taking advantage of the opportunities presidential buzz affords you this far out? Closer to the election, it could be another story entirely. But this far out, his presence might do the field some good in the end.