Are you forgetting Clint did one of the greatest off the cuff speeches at the Republican National Convention ever.
Obama = Empty Chair
No one could forget that Empty Chair act.
In that election, it was far easier for most republicans to think they understood exactly who and what Romney was all about. Like most successful politicians until now, Romney was a closed set of known positions, ideals and traits. Trump is far more complex as a politician, a ‘conservative’, an individual, and a masterful manipulator of the media.
Romney, was more cogent and consistent in his views, except for a few walk backs, i.e. 47% quote. Romney’s credibility began to crumble when he was so very quick to disavow own words.