Keep an eye on Rick Santorum

Evidentally I'm not the only one who thinks that Rick Santorum's showing here in Iowa will be a major surprise next week.

The polls haven't picked up a Santorum surge, but there's been plenty of buzz. And it makes sense. Santorum is a natural for Iowa's plentiful social conservatives, and he lacks the baggage of a Ron Paul or a Michele Bachmann.

I'm not saying that Santorum is going to win, but don't be surprised if he ends up in the top three. Not only have we begun to see well-produced TV ads in the last week or so, but while the other candidates have been making noise Santorum has been quietly waging the only traditional, boots-on-the-sidewalk-visit-all-99-counties wholesale campaign Iowa Republicans have seen this year.

I think it may well pay off.