Yes, Romney kept out quality challengers but why? could it be because socialism is becoming an American ideal?
Some of the other candidates had much the same view as did Reagan but they never got off to a good start.
The only reason we have Obama as president is because the American people showed their love for socialism at the polls.
Rather we are a very badly divided nation.
There was no one of stature and fund raising power running against Romney, no first tier candidates, and Obama won because Romney was such a weak, anti-conservative candidate, he was a bucket of cold water on turn out.
He ran pro-choice abortion ads in three important states, Ohio, Virginia, and Wisconsin, and lost all three.