I agree with your commentary. If there isn’t a coalescing around one ABR candidate right now, there won’t be a time to do it later. Hell, this should’ve already happened a month ago. I see people trying to rationalize, “well… let’s just see how it goes after a couple more primaries…” But it’ll be too late by then—it’s not an understatement that Romney will have this thing entirely in the bag before January is over.
My compromise? I’d be fine with a Newt/Santorum ticket. It’s obvious that Newt’s got the ideas and experience that Santorum doesn’t have. I’d be interested to see what Santorum could turn into after 8 years serving under a Gingrich presidency.
Any compromise these candidates had to agree amongst themselves which involved one (or two) of them stepping aside and supporting the other as a genuine ‘contract for America’, would have my support.
I don’t expect to see it. But I’d have the utmost respect and admiration for any man in the field big enough to do it. To step aside while you still have theoretical hope yourself, for the greater good of America. Fat chance, with this lot.
Same re endorsements: there are influential conservatives out there who have elected not to run, but whose voice and support could make a real difference at this point - could help that all-important colaescing of support and formation of a genuine conservative challenge. But it seems they also are scared of ‘picking the wrong horse’ and are ‘saving themselves for later’. By the time they do get round to sticking their oar in, this boat’s gonna be well and truly sunk.