Who are “The Republican elite” who are pushing Romney?
The northeastern, Rockefeller wing of the GOP. Also includes any Republican who has been in Washington DC *way* past their expiry date. For an example of the latter, see McCain. For an example of the former, see the Bobbsey Twins in Maine.
Their primary motivation is to acquire and maintain power. They believe that the "independents" must be wooed by being "nice" - in other words, by being Democrat lite. They hated Reagan, and they hate "bold color" conservatives.