Romney’s style of vigorously attacking his primary opponents are unlikely to work against Obama for three reasons:
1 - How can Romney attack Obama with sincerity or conviction when Romney’s politics and policies as governor of Massachusetts are basis for Obama’s?
2 - Obama not only survived the Clinton slime machine, he turned Hollywood and the MSM against the Clinton’s.
3 - Romney is culturally tone-deaf.
You’re right, we should just give up and wait ‘till 2016.
Your point #3 in your Post #84 describes Rick Santorum to a “T”. I’m a Newt guy, but if Rick could have stuck with the issue that matter, and known when to STFU, he might have won this nomination. But, Rick Santorum became Rick INSANEtorum and blew the Conservative’s last chance for 2012.