You asked an excellent question, and one I have asked myself. Newt led the debates and made Obama answer to him.
My theory is that a lot of conservatives liked Rick because he had a cleaner life—ie no moral baggage like Newt had.
Now for whatever reason folks voted for Rick no longer matters—he negated their votes by bowing out.
But I did not think Rick had what it takes to take on the DC establishment, and Newt does.
Whatever happened before April 10th at 2:30 EST when Rick bowed out is now in the past.
The new political reality is that there is one conservative standing and one RINO SOB standing.
To me the choice is very simple.
Go Newt! Send him to Tampa and send the GOP a message—our choice is NOT Romney.
Your post reminds me of a column that, I believe, Thomas Sewell wrote early on in the primary.
His point was that what had to happen is all the NotRomneys drop out except for one, and the others support him against Romney. As long as this didn’t happen, the vote would be split.
It’s not the GOP’s fault, it is because of the field (and those who didn’t run) and the primary voters.
Well, we finally have just one left (excepting Paul of course) against Romney.
It may be too late, but I don’t care, I’m full out for Newt and I still get to vote for him.