So while the field of social conservatives is expected to be stronger in 2016, the Pennsylvania Republican’s early moves could still put him in a better position in the next go-round, setting up the threat of an even bigger problem for establishment Republicans if they don’t prepare for another onslaught of outsiders eager to beat up the party’s eventual nominee.

“My head is very wrapped around the idea of getting things in line to move forward, but it’s a process and you take a step at a time,” Santorum said in an interview.

While Santorum is clearly preparing for a 2016 run, he declined to put a timeline on when he would make an official announcement. Santorum predicted that the presidential campaign season would start later in the 2016 cycle. Earlier this year, the party moved to cut the number of primary debates — a decision that would benefit candidates who don’t need the free media exposure.

“That may cause a whole rethinking as to when the campaign starts, we’ll see,” Santorum said. “Really the campaign doesn’t get much momentum until you have debates. You don’t really see the candidates. You can have some forums, but they are generally not as heavily covered and so it becomes much more of an organizational, fundraising time as opposed to more of a public debate of ideas.”