I think what people are missing considering the 2008 vote is that (apparently from what I’ve read here) Romney was being pushed as the conservative alternative to McCain at that time by people like Rush and even by Santorum himself. So that’s the tricky thing, Santorum is actually competing with Newt to fill the same role in some of these states that Romney filled last time.
“Romney was being pushed as the conservative alternative to McCain at that time by people like Rush and even by Santorum himself.”
That’s a good point. Even Levin, who REALLY doesn’t like Romney’s politics, preferred him to McCain.
Rick only endorsed Romney six days before Romney dropped out, so I know Rick didn’t like him that much either, but thought he was better than McCain.