Editor's note: This post is part of the Overheard on CNN.com series, a regular feature that examines interesting comments and thought-provoking conversations posted by the community.

Rick Santorum was thrice victorious in Tuesday's GOP contests, leading some to wonder if he's gaining momentum. Some, like opinion writer Timothy Stanley, are wondering what real impact he will have. Is Santorum the "coulda, shoulda, woulda" candidate, as Stanley asserts?

Santorum, the 'coulda, shoulda, woulda' candidate

We heard from a few Santorum supporters, who said they believe the candidate could be a good option for Republicans.

AngelThree: "He is looking better each primary. He is a devoted family man who appears to have no skeletons in his closet. He is a devout Christian who puts family first. He is a moderate who is not aggressive militarily. He truly cares about our country. He also seems to have a bit of that Kennedy mystique about him that will attract the independent voters. He does not attack the other candidates. Like all humans, he will have faults, but they seem minimal as opposed to the other candidates or the incumbent. I believe he has a chance to serve."

This reader didn't think Santorum's success over Mitt Romney, Ron Paul and Newt Gingrich would carry over in other places.

Evilchicken: "Of course the surge isn't real. States like Colorado, Missouri and Minnesota do not reflect popular opinion anywhere outside of the Midwest. Romney will win ... sadly."

There were quite a few comments from those who are not fans of Santorum, as evidenced by this comment addressed to Stanley. It was the most-liked response.

angie412: "A professor at Oxford, huh? Do you study past speeches of candidates, sir? Mr. I-Want-to-Ban-All-Abortions and Amend-the-Constitution-to-Suit-My-Own-Personal-Religious-Beliefs is the most frightening candidate I've ever seen. I can't believe, given his terrible track record of crazy, that you'd even suggest he's an appropriate candidate in any party for the President of the United States. I'd vote Bush in for a third term before I'd vote for Santorum!"

Some of the posts were about a dissatisfaction with the choices available for Election 2012.

AWL23: "Our choices are Obama, Santorum, Romney, Gingrich or Paul. God help us all."

herself26: "I'm going to write in Kermit the Frog. I think he's got a better chance and the State of the Union addresses would actually be watchable."

This reader was thankful that Santorum came along and shook up the race.

Guest: "Good for you Rick. You shook up the Republican race, and you most definitely have the potential to shake up the general election too. As an intelligent voting person with an advanced degree, you have my vote for having the courage to stand up for what is right. A lot of people like me feel this way; the silent majority who are tired of all of the other inadequate choices that will be presented to us in the next general election."

Some of our readers gave scathing appraisals of the Republican Party.

Evelyn2: "My uncle, in his mid 90s now, helped organize the Republican party in Denver in the mid 1950s. Long a fiscal conservative and social moderate, he laments what has happened to the party he always belonged to. He sadly noted that while he votes in local and state elections, he hasn't voted for a Republican presidential candidate since George H.W. Bush. When I spoke with him last Sunday, I asked him what he thought about the candidates. His response: 'The circus is in town.' Nuff said."

This commenter said many supposed conservatives aren't all that conservative.

lvanhelsing: "Santorum is the only candidate I want to beat Obama in 2012. I think if either Romney or Gingrich beat Obama, it would only hurt conservatism in America. The reality is they are NOT conservative. Yet because they are Republican, most people will think they are, and when their moderately liberal policies don't work (liberal policies never work), then America will blame conservatism. Same as when W was in office."

These posters took a satirical angle.

BGko: "I have a feeling America just got 'Rick-rolled.'

JustTruth1: "Makes more sense that way - to be honest."

What do you think about the GOP race as it now stands? Share your opinion in the comments area below and in the latest stories on CNN.com. Or sound off on video via CNN iReport.

Compiled by the CNN.com moderation staff. Some comments edited for length or clarity.