This kind of thing LOSES THE PARTY BASE, so even if Romney gets the nomination, he will fail to get Republican votes in Virginia.
That will give the majority of the Presidential votes to Obama.
The first rule of politics is YOU MUST KEEP THE BASE ON YOUR SIDE. You never give them an excuse to skip over your name on the ballot, or, in fact, just stay home. You certainly don't want them to vote for the other guy!
Last time the Republicans lost the base in Virginia we ended up electing James Webb ~ a crazy man.
Oh how I remember that POS Webb