I don't like the "I don't care about competing" attitude. Nonetheless, if that's your attitude, I'd demote him to AAA, take the potential ratings hit and THEN put him on the 60 day DL if my medical budget was high. If you're med-bud is high, you should regain your lost demotion ratings.
No, not surprised. I don't know why Santorum hasn't clicked with the conservatives but he hasn't. Which, by the way, makes him Obama meat if he were to win the GOP nom.