Having run third or fourth in several primaries, some wonder why Rick Santorum is sticking it out. Now that Newt’s star is fading, again. Santorum may become, as I have thought all along, the only realistic conservative alternative to Romney. It seems that others may be starting to agree…

Minnesota and Colorado hold their caucuses on Tuesday, and Missouri holds a non-binding primary that day. Polls suggest that Santorum could perform strongly, especially in Missouri and Minnesota.

In Minnesota, Santorum actually edges Romney 29 percent to 27 percent. In Colorado, he holds a distant second place 14 points behind Romney, but leads Gingrich by 8 points, suggesting that he may be taking the place of the former speaker of the House as the Romney alternative. In Missouri, Gingrich is not on the ballot — having not filed the necessary paperwork — leaving an opening for Santorum

Not many delegates have been awarded yet and there are still many primaries to go. Rick has done himself a great service over these months with his substantive debate performances and his ability to stay above the mudslinging. If Rick can establishe plausibility, he could experience a substantial uptick in some big contests. I don’t know if it is enough to overcome Mitt, but a boy has to hope.

So if the polling data is to be believed, Rick is getting a well deserved second look. Rick-mentum anyone?