Some of us realize Romney will do more harm than Obama:
1)He'll move the Republican party significantly to the left. Why would Romney be inclined to govern conservatively if he know conservatives like you are going to vote Republican no matter what? Why would the establishment pay any attention the Tea Party or grassroots when they know they can get away with putting up the most liberal nominee they can find and conservatives will still vote for him or her?
2) The party in the White House almost always loses seats in Congress and at the state level. That will be even more true with Romney in the White House when he signs off on liberal legislation that fails. The choice is growing Republican majority in Congress with Obama in the White House or a shrinking Republican minority with Romney in it. I'll take the former. Romney endangers all the gains made by conservatives in 2010. After he was done as governor, Republicans held less seats in the Massachusetts legislation than at any time since the civil war.
3) RINOs are far more likely to get their arms twisted and agree to tax increases, "climate change" legislation and other liberal legislation with Romney in the White House than with Obama in it.
4) There is even a scenario where Romney could move SCOTUS to the left. Anthony Kennedy and Antonin Scalia likely won't retire with Obama in the White House. They might if Romney is elected. No one that knows Romney's record on judges would be surprised if he put another David Souter or Sandra Day O'Connor on SCOTUS. I'd bet whoever he chooses will support gay marriage as a right.
The first premise accepted by all is that neither man is ideal and both have flaws.
Will Mitt tug the GOP to the left? It’s up to boots on the ground to keep the loyal in-party opposition going so that Mitt’s more liberal ideas will be DOA in Congress. In the meantime, either the czars will be gone or will be replaced by far saner souls.
I’d think that it’s up to the conservative side of the USSC whether they want to stick it out, or whether they want to retire and Mitt to name replacements. If smart they will be sniffing out potential successors and have them ready to suggest through friendly senators (the advice and consent people).
Nothing in life is a guarantee. Well almost nothing. Mitt could go badly wrong. Obama WILL go badly wrong.