I’ve changed my mind about Rick Santorum. I realise it’s a little late in the political season for this sort of thing. But, as of this week, I see him as an inspiration – a role model, worthy of emulation by the likes of yours truly.

Mr Santorum earned my admiration on Tuesday when he appeared in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, site of the bloody US civil war battle, to announce that he was no longer running for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination.

What impressed me was that the former Pennsylvania senator did not quit. No, he was too clever for that. Mr Santorum “suspended” his campaign. For those of you who don’t speak “American”, this means that even though he is no longer putting himself forward as a prospective leader of our country, he is still able to raise money – even beyond what’s needed to retire his campaign debt.