The tea party does not demand purity. As another poster mentioned, this is yet another straw-man from the left/media/RNC. The tea party is about smaller government, responsible government, and honest politicians who property government with the voters intent in mind. Romney is the polar opposite of the tea party and has purposely wanted nothing to do with it over the past two years. He an elitist, northeastern moderate to liberal big-government guy, and he in no way is appealing to conservatives. If he is the candidate, most tea-partiers will probably vote for him, but the motivation to donate, work, and fight is going to be much lower and will probably cost us the election.
In two election cycles, Romney simply hasn’t generated any passionate support. He couldn’t even run for reelection as governor for the same reason. He is not the guy to send into battle because the army behind him is minuscule..other than a few suited RNC beltway types.
“If he is the candidate, most tea-partiers will probably vote for him, but the motivation to donate, work, and fight is going to be much lower and will probably cost us the election.”
If he is the candidate, then the gop is already dead as far as conservatism is concerned.