I don’t think Romney has much traction except in two very important places, New Hampshire and Nevada.
Perhaps the GOPe’s hope they can plant Romney in NH which neighbors the state he used to govern to break Trump’s momentum in a key early state. Romney can also do well in another early state Nevada, with its large Mormon population.
The GOPe’s best bet to stop Trump in early states Iowa and South Carolina is Ben Carson, who is heavily promoted on Fox News and their tool.
If the GOPe can use Romney and Carson to break Trump in early states, perhaps they can get Romney some momentum to win later states.
Do you remember 1968? If they elite can’t steal the nomination somewhat invisibly and without twisting the laws to the breaking point, that’ll seem like a holiday destination in comparison. That’s not a threat or promise; it’s a real fear that does remember 1968.