The age of Santorum is upon us. Iowa has given rise to the final potential challenger to Romney just in time for New Hampshire. But, will his rise give way to the downfall of Mittens?

My prediction, along with many others, is no.

Indeed, I stand among those who are convinced that Romney is, at this point, the inevitable nominee. I set his current chances at 75 percent, and if he takes New Hampshire his nomination becomes an almost certain 90-95 percent (unknown unknowns always lurk). But why the 25 percent uncertainty? As Kristol noted today, Santorum has long been the candidate of great potential, and that potential (according to Kristol) could bring him the nomination.

Unlike Perry, he seems to be good at addressing national issues in debates and speeches. Unlike Gingrich, he has the support of the establishment republican media. Yet, I disagree with Kristol in that I do not think Santorum has even the smallest chance of being the nominee. Santorum’s major problem will not be his lack of organization or fundraising. Iowa demonstrated that these things are not as important as one might have assumed. However, like all the other candidates that this component of the republican party has fallen in love with, Santorum is seriously damaged goods.

Most importantly, his ideology is problematic. Santorum represents the Religious Right but actively denies any ideological allegiance to the Tea Party wing of the republican party. In my estimation, this makes him a more permanent part of the field but a less potent one. I would be surprised to see him actually rise to the same levels we saw Gingrich and Perry at during their respective “bounces.” His claim to electability will take a hit as a slew of critical information about him and his word view continues to bubble up. Santorum is the epitome of the dark, medieval ages wing of the party that many Republicans don’t talk openly about and sometimes actively deny in the national media. Eventually, he will completely alienate any and all moderates. His new found support, together with attacks from Perry and Gingrich, could do serious damage to Romney. If such an unlikely scenario should occur, and Romney’s national numbers fall below 18-15%, the entire game changes.

It is unknown just how much damage to Romney attacks made by Santorum and Gingrich could do. In this video it is clear that Gingrich is no longer pulling any punches:

Things to watch for in tonight’s debate:

• Attacks on Romney from all sides – will he effectively respond?
• Santorum’s big moment – will he pull a Perry, or can he continue to verbally impress? This is the most important debate of his life (even if I think it will not change his eventual fortune)
• How/ will people engage Ron Paul?