It wasn’t just the Paulbots. That convention stunt agitated a lot of people and there were other ongoing issues with Romney.
Little things like meeting with Mike Rowe caused people to take a hopeful look and think that maybe he was paying attention. Unfortunately all Romney saw was some quick and easy PR before moving on.
Yes, taking over the Republican Party for the liberals, throwing out the conservatives so they couldn't be elected as delegates in the future unless Romney approved, was a death blow to the party. Well, Romney lost and he thought he couldn't lose because he was the choice of the GOPe.
Whoever is the candidate in 2016, now has the power to dump delegates and choose his own, thanks to Romney with the national chairman, Boehner and Sununu stomping on the rules and forcing in their rules with a fake vote as the majority voted against adopting those rules.
It won't change - another Rino will be chosen by the GOPe next time.