Is Santorum to the left of Romney?

Ross Kaminsky thinks so, at least economically, citing Santorum's enthusiasm for government regulation, big government solutions, and protectionism. Romney has also used protectionist rhetoric of late, though I think that may amount to pandering pretense, as a suspicious Jon Huntsman noted during the debates.

Gingrich is looking better all the time. He seems to be the only serious remaining Romney alternative. William Jacobson writes about the unprecedented "conservative" onslaught against Gingrich. I don't know that Gingrich will have the ability to hit back effectively, given his inferior finances and organization, but I hope so.

Update: A new Real Clear  Politics poll has Gingrich at 35% in South Carolina, leading Romney by 15%.