The Huckabee Strategy

In some ways, Santorum is a cliche. He is the fifth in a long line of Republicans who surged to the top of primary polls, challenged Mitt Romney, attacked Ron Paul, laughed at Jon Huntsman, then fell to the bottom before the primaries even began. Now, as he is the only 'suddenly popular' candidate to make it a few weeks into 2012, he has a different cliche to face. The early sort of favorite who disappears after a few states. This role was previously given to Mike Huckabee in 2008, and it seems Santorum just can't resist some of the same tactics.

Having won Iowa, (which surprised a few,) Huckabee decided to gamble for New Hampshire, instead of heavily campaigning in South Carolina, which has demographic more similar to Iowa than to New England. This idea failed him on two fronts, after he lost both states and continued a downwards path into Fox News correspondent oblivion.
Santorum is relying on the 'hey who is this guy that came from nowhere and now could win', press coverage that could carry him from a loss in New Hampshire. However, this whole plan rests with him still displaying hope and media attention into later primaries, ones that he will have to win to reasonably challenge Romney. If anything upstages him, his money and preparation might falter, leaving him stuck in a state where candidates like Gingrich and Perry have decided to bet all their savings. If history repeats itself, he will falter in the polls of the all important deciding state, and be forced to bow out a few months later.
Santorum's politics make him the new Huckabee, he can only hope the metaphor ends there.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/rick-santorum-and-the-huckabee-trap/2012/01/09/gIQAlwfplP_story.html