The radical Republican wasn't very popular when voters sent him packing and his numbers are about the same today. What has to be a painful realization for Romney is that as unpopular as Santorum is in his home state, Romney is currently running behind him. That may change between now and voting day but it once again shows how lukewarm the support is among Republicans for Mitt Romney.
He spoke at the state's largest annual gathering of conservatives several weeks ago, yet won a straw vote with less than half the vote. His support in the state also has slipped, according to surveys that highlight his apparent likeability problem.
Santorum is as unpopular now as he was at the time of his defeat. A February poll by Muhlenberg College showed that nearly half the registered voters surveyed viewed him unfavorably. Just 39 percent saw him favorably.
A March 28 poll by Franklin & Marshall College showed Santorum with 30 percent support to Romney's 28 percent among registered Republicans, a significant drop from the 29-point advantage Santorum enjoyed in February.
