office like that? answer number one, it was a tough year. >> it was -- it was the worst election for republicans in, you know, probably -- maybe in the history of the republican party in pennsylvania. >> reporter: answer number two, to explain that drubing in the senate election principle. he got advice to moderate his positions in order to suit the voters' moods, but he refused. >> i lost but i stood for what i believed in. my thought is there's one thing worse than lose ing. that's fak sising your principles. i wouldn't do it. i didn't do it. >> reporter: democrats poke fun, of course, pointing out this mum rouse ad that makes santorum look like quite the compromiser. >> barbara boxer and i wrote a law protecting open space. i'm even working with hillary clinton to limit inappropriate material in children's vid owe games. because it makes more sense to wrestle with america's problems than with each other. >> reporter: he's also gotten slammed for earmarking while in congress. he argues there was nothing wrong with it. >> yeah. well, i did. >> reporter: but make no