Next up were seven graduate students from Pennsylvania asking why Pennsylvania lags in business growth. The senator responded, "We have very high rates of taxation ... a legal and regulatory climate that's very unfriendly ... education needs to be improved." To a question about the purpose of the federal government, Santorum replied: "Read the Preamble to the Constitution. Provide for the common defense. That's first and foremost. Promote the general welfare: Government's job isn't to do it, but to create an environment in which others can work for the common good."

 Ba-da-dum, ready to go, but 20 more graduate students suddenly crowded into the room and asked Santorum about his strong opposition to same-sex marriage and abortion. He tried to take them back to basics: "The Founders knew that when liberty is reduced to the issue of choice, it's reduced to license, and ultimately there's chaos." He moved his hands back and forth like trees blowing in a gale. "If you just do what you want to do, you're ultimately going to hurt other people."

 Ba-da-dum, and he was outside the conference room asking his scheduler, "Where am I supposed to go?" He met with a Pennsylvania contingent that resembled the Lollypop Guild of Oz: "We want to thank you for your support. ... We, as partners, want to partner with government so we can provide appropriate services."

 What to make of all this? It's great that legislators hear the views of their constituents, but almost everyone has a hand in the federal pork barrel. That makes it tough for an honest and principled man like Santorum. Ba-da-dum.