On Feb. 7, a sensation struck the nation—Rickmentum. As Rick Santorum surged to the top of the polls in state after state, Americans watched in shock.

When Santorum first announced his candidacy, people scoffed at him. The media suggested he would be out of the race before it even began. He was shot down as being too conservative, a second-tier candidate who lost his own Senate seat by 18 percent back in 2006.

Today, Santorum is not only in the race, he’s leading it, carrying the most states and the second-highest number of delegates. Though he likely won’t come out on top, he lends this race interesting character and brings an important focus back to the conservative cause.

When I first heard of Rick Santorum and his extreme right-wing social views, I was majorly turned off. But after seeing him debate, I began to warm up to him. He is eloquent and has interesting ideas on national security and taxes.

He is also the only Republican candidate who is in any way genuine. Whether you agree with him or not, you cannot doubt his conviction, a stark contrast to the fake personae of both Romney and Gingrich.

In this Republican primary, I genuinely believe that, social views aside, Rick Santorum is the most honest and true candidate.