I would vastly prefer Newt, but it ain’t going to happen.
I agree with you that Romney is like a McCain II, severely compromised, and the selection of the Republican elites. But he is still better than Obama. Obama is a clear and present danger to the nation. Romney is a clear and present danger to conservatism, but he would stabilize the nation. If he is the nominee, then with sadness he will get my vote.
No he isn't. His track record says he appoints liberal judges.
You are giving the supreme court to the libs, because if the dems control the senate or if the repubs control the senate, he'll nominate unknowns with lib tendencies, and you'll swing the court back to the libs. The dems will gladly vote for them, and the rinos will gladly join with the dems to confirm them so that they "support their president."
Obama as president would at least require the rinos to pretend to be opposition.
But, there is a 3rd way. Elect a conservative from another party.