Santorum wouldn't have been a factor if Perry, Cain, Gingrich, Bachmann, etc hadn't FUBARed. You know, Dennis Kucinich may have been a factor in 2008 if Obama, Hillary, Edwards and Richardson had all FUBARed too.
And Barack Obama wouldn't have been a factor if Hillary Clinton didn't support the Iraq War. And John Kerry would have never been the nominee if his opposition didn't suck big time. We could play this game forever. Doesn't negate the fact that Santorum was a factor. I don't remember ever saying, "Well, Santorum will be a factor while all of his opponents keep their standing throughout the campaign." That's not how elections work.
But I welcome the angry embarrassment and excuses of the haters. It makes Santorum's showing even better.