Maybe you are asking the wrong “Romney supporters”. I’ll be happy to answer your questions.
I have no idea why Fred isn’t able to pull the conservatives together. I thought he would, which is why I supported him getting into the race, and sent him money.
At that time, he was rising in the polls, clearly because conservatives were warming to him and looking for something.
But once he got in the race, he became much less attractive to the republican base. I have no idea why, but he dropped from first to fourth.
Meanwhile, Romney has maintained a consistant, slow rise. And he had good numbers in the first primaries — Rudy was helped by lots of good support in liberal states.
If Fred could win the nomination, I think he would pull us together, but it’s hard to make that argument given that he hasn’t been able to do so up until now, even though he is “more conservative”.
With Romney, the issue is a fear. There are two fears — some think he is deceiving us with his conservative views, and some think he is too new to his conservatives views and might switch back.
Both of those are reasons to oppose him in the primary, or more accurately to choose a conservative-speaking candidate that you trust more, that is less risky to you.
However, if Romney wins the nomination, since he clearly SPEAKS a conservative message, conservatives would be foolish to vote AGAINST that conservative message simply because they are afraid he’ll govern like a liberal.
After all, we KNOW his opponent will govern like a liberal. Better to elect the guy who says he’s on your side, and then scream about being deceived if he turns on you, than vote against a guy who is hitting all the right notes on conservatism (because you don’t “trust” him), and hand the election to a real liberal while proving to the general public that people voicing the conservative message can’t be elected.
That is why I think Romney is much more electable than his primary numbers would suggest.
I have to say though, that you didn't answer the exact question I asked. The poster said that of the two, if he got the nomination, Romney would be better able to pull all the conservatives together. You didn't say anything to change my mind that THAT simply isn't true.
True, most conservatives will (hopefully) "hold their noses" and vote for Romney in the general. But it's pretty clear to me that CONSERVATIVES won't be holding their nose nearly so much if FDT is the nominee.
Anyway, thanks for the reasoned response.
Hank
That is why I think Romney is much more electable than his primary numbers would suggest."
Agreed. Very logical analysis and precisely the way I see it. Furthermore, as Mr. Lowry from the National Review also stated, Romney is not going to return to his former views.