So who is it that ran this cycle who you believe was a genuine conservative with only slight flaws?
Mostly conservative but with major flaws: Newt Gingrich, Rick Perry.
About as exciting as watching paint dry: Tim Pawlenty.
Anybody not named Romney?
Face it dude, we got stuck with a terrible candidate who won because he had lots of money, had the establishment backing him up, and played extremely dirty behind-the-scenes politics to get to where he is. That may make him a "fighter" in your eyes, but I don't really want that kind of "fighter" representing me. Hence, he doesn't, as I'll find an actual conservative, not-Romney candidate to vote for, even if it does mean I'm "throwing my vote away."
People made a big deal about 20% of Democrats voting "No preference" in the NC Dem primary last week. Don't forget that 35% of Republicans essentially voted the same thing, however, by voting for candidates who were either completely non-viable to start with (Paul) or who were already out (Santorum, Gingrich). Romney lost 35% of Republicans votes to people who aren't even in the race anymore, or who might as well not have been. Doesn't bode well for him, regardless of what Rasmussen is saying right now.