(Gage Skidmore, Creative Commons)

Mitt Romney will end up winning the GOP nomination, probably in the most uninspiring way imaginable.  Santorum's rise and subsequent flop at the most recent debate in Arizona demonstates his inability to handle the limelight. 

Check out Neon Tommy's debate analysis here.  He doesn't know how to handle being the main guy just yet.  He will get there one day though.  As for right now, he's an interesting character in the race for the GOP--which could be made into the next big broadway play, perhaps entitled "Cat Scratch Fever: Yelling, Screaming, Clawing and Falling."  

Santorum plays the role of the nice guy, the likeable character.  He doesn't scratch as much as the others, and when he yells, he actually believes what he is saying.  Even if you don't agree with yowls, you can respect a cat for his convictions.

Santorum would make an excellent VP for Romney.  Imagine a Romney-Santorum ticket.  At last Romney would have a chance to capture the ever-elusive conservative base of Republican Evangelicals.  Who else can capture this segment of the party as effectively as Santorum?  He's also considered an outsider, at least by Republican standards, and he has little baggage outside of his "moderate" voting record that he was being hammered for during the debate.

Santorum can't capture the minds of most of the country, but he steps in and fills the void where Romney lacks, which is why he naturally is the best candidate for VP for Romney.

We'll see how Super Tuesday plays out, but assuming that Romney eventually comes out the winner, he needs to seriously consider Santorum as his wingman.  He's going to need the full support of conservatives if he hopes to beat Obama.

You can follow Ryan on Twitter here.