If Romney got in as an Independent, McCain would completely forsake the conservative vote and run further to the left and encroach on Hillary/Obama territory. The hard left would go to Hill O’ Bama, the mushy middle would go to Queeg, the hard right to Romney (with Thompson or another strong conservative on the ticket).
You’re looking at a 30/30/30 election. Romney would have as good a shot as anyone.
A lot of us here would join and volunteer against McCain and perhaps a new Conservative Party would emerge.
If he did it with Fred, Katie bar the door!
Someone should put a bug in his ear....