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.
Thats 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?
I’m still in the Republican Governors have the best shot at an open Presidential election guy. Cruz may run, and Rand Paul, but if it were up to me, I would back a slightly-less conservative governor with executive experience.
I don’t dismiss a conservative governor because they sometimes had to compromise to govern.