[ClearCase_guy]

In the primary he campaigned like he didn’t want anybody else to have it.

I think that is very accurate.

I don't know how subconscious some of this might be (on the part of Mitt or any other leading Republicans) but I think there may be a sense that the country has problems that cannot be fixed. The guy in the Oval Office has a very unenviable job (largely because of the guy who is in the Oval Office). The president from 2013-2017 is going to be in charge of a disaster. Did any Republicans want that responsibility?

One way or another, I think Mitt went a long way in making sure that the Democrat got the post.

[cripplecreek]

I think there may be a sense that the country has problems that cannot be fixed.

I think Rick Santorum nails it here.

'Hold the line': Rick Santorum and a New Year's message for the States

"Do not look to Congress to do this, it will not happen."

[nothingnew]

Your tagline answered your own question in your post.

(Republicans have made themselves useless, toothless, and clueless.)

FMCDH(BITS)