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Mitt Romney’s secret weapon?

According to Rick Santorum, it’s none other than Ronald Ernest Paul – avowed Constitutionalist, self-righteous libertarian and longtime Keebler elf.

The New York Times reports that over the weekend Santorum described Ron Paul as having been Mitt Romney’s “wing-man” at the most recent GOP debate.

Santorum has good reason to be on the defensive: not only did he emerge from the debate noticeably scathed, Paul’s frank assessment of him as a “fake” emerged as the evening’s most memorable soundbite.

But is there really a sinister partnership between the famously independent Paul and the infamously dependent (on his party’s patience) Romney? And Ron Paul as Romney’s wingman?

An undeniable combination, to be sure: a little sweet talk about dismantling the Department of Education gets the ladies warmed up for that cool, confident, noncommittal Massachusetts swagger.

Was Santorum the only one to feel – really feel – the chemistry between those two?

“The coordination that I felt at that debate the other night was pretty clear,” Mr. Santorum said in response to a question from the audience. “I felt like the messages were being slipped behind my chair.”

Well, the coordination that he felt was pretty clear at least; whether it was clear to the rest of us remains unclear. Maybe someone should tell Mom.

What does Ron Paul make of Santorum’s accusation?

He’s “desperate.”

Is Rick Santorum the victim of a conspiracy between “the Ron Paul faction and the moderate establishment” to KO “the true conservative in this race”? Or is it more likely that Ron Paul just has a special place in his heart for Republicans who talk like a fiscal conservatives but waddle like a big spenders?

Also, ever wonder how Ron Paul became such an expert on the U.S. Constitution? This recently unearthed footage of a young RP proves that he’s come a long way: