I think the 1976 primary is a better analogy than 2008.
Ford was the establishment candidate, but most of the base didn’t want him.
Reagan was the outsider with radical ideas that scared the heck out of the establishment, but he was supported by huge numbers of the base that was dissatified with the status quo (called the silent majority then) who craved a real change in the direction of the country.
Romney is clearly playing the Ford part.
Several candidates keep stepping up for the Reagan/outsider part. Right now it’s Cain, but it could be someone else.
The tea party is playing the part of the “silent majorty”.
Reagan took it all the way into the convention, but it laid the groundwork for Reagan to get the nomination in 1980. If Romney does pull it out, I think it will lay the groundwork for an outsider candidate to be the nominee in 2016 (even if Romney is elected prez).
You may be right. That one is before my political consciousness, but I am aware of the basic history you outlined.
It would do the Tea Party a lot of good in the meantime to get some people elected Governor in some statehouses, get a track record in republican government. The Oval Office should not be an entry-level position.