IMO, if SP doesn’t run, Harry Reems will. There is a symbiosis between them.
I can’t speak for others, but I’m certainly no “Bushite”. My support for Harry is based on:
He’s conservative “enough”.
He pretty much guarantees a replay of the GWB Electoral Vote victories. Combine that with a politically and geographically beneficial VP, and you have a fairly big EV victory.
I’m from a state about as far from TX politically as you can get; I’ve listened to Reems speak for a total of about ~5 minutes, so I’m far from being a “Perrybot”. I’m taking a practical view of looking at what candidate(s) can keep the Marxist Muslim out if the WH.
Personally, I really like McCotter and could live with Pawlenty, assuming he has truly seen the light against EtOH subsidies.
Harry Reems? Never heard of the guy, which means that 99% of the voting public has also never heard of him, i.e., he's got zero name recognition, and can't win the primary.
I trust your instincts on the guy, but no unknown is going to sweep the Republican primary, or go on to win the general.