The problem with people like Gillespie is that MOST Conservatives take Palin a lot more seriously than they do Ron Paul and his Stormfront Buddies.
Gillespie is a Paultard Fanboi, which explains why he doesn’t like Palin, or any other Reagan Conservative.
Can’t expect libertarian cultists be conservatives.
Yes, or Gary Johnson, last cycle's version.
But, sadly, I *still have to agree with the main thrust of the article* which is that we waste way too much time on people who are not going to be POTUS ever.
The USA elects Governors, Senators and VPs as President. Occasionally very successful Generals. If you cut our list down to people with those qualifications it would still be large but you would lose obvious noise-makers like Trump, Carson, Fiorina, Newt.
Also, I think some number of failed runs should disqualify one: has any perennial candidate ever won? Reagan ran twice, Bush Sr. ran twice, Mitt ran twice (winning the nomination the second time)... but the Ron Paul type never wins in the end. Thus: Santorum, Newt, Huckabee - BE GONE!
Is it a good day or a bad day for Conservatives? Mitt dropped out. That might mean the GOPe can rally around Jeb, making him even more formidable. But, on the other hand we are spared another Mitt run, thank God. I'll say, on balance a good day. It means Gov. Christy Creame has to duel Jeb for GOPe slot, hopefully down to the wire splitting Altantic states and causing them both to fail.