This may be true. There has to be ONE establishment candidate, and with Christie on the outs, Romney is the last man standing.
That’s the difference in the two sides: 4 conservatives will split the vote and do it anyway...the Establishment agrees that only one will run...
Romney got the nomination last time because (besides having the most money) there wasn't anybody of comparable standing in the race -- no governors, no senators.
That’s the difference in the two sides: 4 conservatives will split the vote and do it anyway...the Establishment agrees that only one will run...
Well, a congresswoman, a defeated senator, a pizza executive, an ex-speaker: there wasn't any governor or sitting senator in the race who demonstrated vote-getting ability and administrative competence. Well, Rick Perry ran, but he managed to blow it anyway.
But here's the question: say you get some sitting governor to run (Walker, Pence, whoever) do you make that candidate the conservative hope, or do you just assume that he's too moderate and establishment? Compare with last time: if Pawlenty or Daniels could have stopped Romney would they be the conservative hopes, or just another GOPe bunch?