I've met Mitt Romney (briefly). He's a charming, charismatic guy. He could get some of the soccer mom, I-like-him-because-he's-good-looking votes in a general election.
But he won't fire up the base, especially being somewhat flaccid on abortion.
Also, as you can see here, too many people are prejudiced against him for his religion, which obviously doesn't affect how he governs, and about which they are truly ignorant.
there are a couple mormon families that live near my family. They seem alright to me. I graduated with the older son of one of the families and we were pretty good friends....