Voting for Romney sends the clear signal that the “Tea Party” will fall in line, so we really need a center / left nominee to compete for the Democrat votes.
Of course, the Dems will never vote for one of our liberals over one of their own, so all we really do is demoralize our own base. At least the Dims are smart enough to realize this, that is why they never nominate a candidate that is even marginally conservative. They understand it is more important to keep your own base than to try and convince the other side that you are really one of them.
...They understand it is more important to keep your own base than to try and convince the other side that you are really one of them.
Sounds like conflicted reasoning.
Anyway...
Santorum got Dem votes to win PA, against Dem incumbents. 3 Times. He campaigns outside the box.