Don’t forget.
When Romney played this same role in 2012, it worked flawlessly against the radical Obama. /s
That is also why Willard hates Trump. The power players probably told Willard that IF he goes easy on Obama and lets him win, it will be HIS TURN in four years. They would back him for US Senator in Utah. Then he will be in position to be the next POTUS after Obama.
Then Trump came along and ruined his plan. Most likely Willard would have lost to Hillary too.