Romney made a lot of mistakes for sure, but at this point I think Newt would have been entirely destroyed much earlier than Romney. He could be a great debator (but he got quiet just before he tanked at the end much like Romney after Candy). Frankly, the man had baggage way worse than Romney, they would have attacked him mercilessly, I don't think he would have won, rather he would have lost in an even worse way, a debacle conservatism could not have handled.
I respectfully disagree. Newt would have been savaged - and been way behind at some point - but if he stayed on message would have rallied. Winston Churchill was more discredited in England shortly before he replaced Chamberlain. Desparate times....
But more to the point: it was Newts message that needed to carry the day - regardless of who the nominee was. Had Romney carried any kind of similar message, he would have won in a rout. But he’s not nearly as smart or as fearless as Newt.