I support Romney now. But face it, all three are seriously flawed candidates. Romney has noone but himself to blame for the attacks, which correctly point out that his positions are inconsistent over time.
The difference is, we know McCain hates conservatives. And we know with virtual certainty that any change of position that takes place to mollify conservatives now is probably a sham. OTOH, We know that Romney is apparently a recent convert. But his conversion might be genuine. And, he does not apparently share McCain's distaste for conservatives.
Even more important, the party base will probably work for Romney and not stay home. So even if Romney loses, we will have a stronger senate and house than if McCain wins. McCain will have negative coattails, even if he wins--perhaps especially if he wins.
Every cause, every political struggle, reserves a special 'punishment' for those once loyal ... but who later betrayed their brothers.
Napoleon was banished to a deserted island (forget the name) for the rest of his life for betrayal.
Benedict Arnold was likewise banished to England for the rest of his life for betraying the Revolutionary cause.
Dante, in the Count of MOnte Cristo......
Numerous events in the Bible ....
The list goes on and on....
I am not claiming McCain's betrayal was a physical betrayal like a spy during the time of war, and thus subject to Capital or Corporal Punishment.
But betray he did, none-the-less, and thus he should be shunned and rejected by Party faithful.... NOT elevated to the top man.
McCain's actions of the past 10 years were selfish in nature, and designed to disgrace and embarrass the Christian right, the conservative wing of the GOP, and specifically President Bush Administration as it struggled to prosecute a war against jihad terrorists.
What McCain did to the GOP was beyond disgraceful.
It deserves a more severe punishment than simply saying....... "well Johnny boy, don't do it again."