To right's dismay, Santorum was active in passing controversial Medicare drug bill - The Hill's Ballot Box

But Santorum’s role in passing the law is larger than he has suggested.

As the third-ranking Senate Republican leader nine years ago, Santorum urged his colleagues to vote for the drug benefit. In an October 2003 memo to Senate Republicans, Santorum warned that Democrats had gained traction on domestic issues.

Santorum wrote that passage of the Medicare drug plan was key to winning over independent voters, adding that “the political consequence is clear if the GOP does not act,” according to a media report at the time.

In 2003, the GOP had control over the House, the Senate and the White House. Passing the drug benefit was seen as a key to Bush’s 2004 reelection bid. Seniors, a crucial voting bloc, were outraged at the cost of prescription drugs and were calling for policymakers to act.