Rick Santorum's Political Action Committee, according to a post-election FEC filing, raised $170,000 from Oct. 14 through Nov. 22. But Santorum spent $195,000, primarily on direct mail to reach out to more donors. PACs are common among candidates who have yet to officially declare their presidential intentions. The America's Foundation money cannot go to Santorum's (all but certain) presidential run, but can be used in this interim period to fund his travels and efforts to get his name out. Santorum has been a regular in Iowa, South Carolina and New Hampshire lately, and I wrote earlier this year about his direct mail spending.

Santorum gave small amounts to a few candidates for office, as well, though his value to them was far greater making fund-raising apperances. Recipients of America's Foundation funds included successful Pennsylvania Republican U.S. House candidates Mike Fitzpatrick, who unseated Rep. Patrick Murphy, and Pat Meehan, who won the contest for Rep. Joe Sestak's open seat. Santorum also gave to Carly Fiorina, who lost the race for Senate in California to incumbent Barbara Boxer. A few state Senate candidates in all-important New Hampshire got a Santorum boost as well: Andy Sanborn, Fenton Groen, Jim Forsythe and Jim Luther. All won.

So how did Santorum match up against his potential GOP 2012 in fundraising during the most recent span? Politico's Playbook has a rundown of the big dogs, with Santorum trailing the biggest names -- Mitt Romney: $558,000, Sarah Palin: $469,000, Newt Gingrich: $314,000. But the former Penn Hills resident held his own with Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty ($140,000), South Dakota Sen. John Thune ($183,000) and Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour ($108,000).