You are so correct. Moderate Romney rarely crossed 30% in primaries was the eventual winner. Why? Because the more conservative candidates kept slashing each other. And no one wanted to drop out for the sake of unity. Bachmann attacked Cain. Newt attacked Santorum. Santorum attacked Newt. It was a circular firing squad.
2016 should be better. I am looking forward to substantive debates sans attacks from Rand Paul, Marco Rubio & whoever. .
Good luck with all that....There shouldn't even be debates..Candidates should win on their own merits, without tearing down the others. All debates do is to force candidates to attack the others, it is counter-productive.