By the time the media is done vetting the real Santorum, I think people will be
flocking to Mitt Romney just so that they can escape the possibility of a war-mongering theocrat becoming the Republican nominee.
If they can build up a Santorum or a Gingrich who obviously has so much baggage, then the media can make it very clear just as easily that they are unpalatable and cannot go against Obama.
Ron Paul is being marginalized because it would be too dangerous to have him as the actual alternative. They have successfully convinced many that he will not win the nomination. Right now, Republicans are
still looking for the not-Romney candidate — and they're being pushed and pulled
towards Romney. In due time, people will be made to feel that they have little choice but to accept, if not back, Romney.
This is why it's so important that Ron Paul continues to place well (if not win!)

— in New Hampshire and the upcoming states. The Iowa results showed that
Ron Paul is electable — 26,000 people voted for him. Many of whom were Independents. Results, not the media or what the talking heads, are what matters in the end. If we can show and gain support between now and the time when people are pushed to support Romney
("for the good of the GOP", maybe), then this will truly be a Paul vs. Romney race.
/thoughts