So when Newt bows out, half of you will become Romneybots. I see.
No, that’s not what it means. This was not a poll of FR Newt supporters, it was a poll of the general population of Newt supporters.
And yes, intelligence, accomplishment, resume are more important than ideology for many voters and those folks would, out of this entire field, normally pick Newt first and probably Romney second. They would have also been perhaps enamored of Cain (business) or Perry (governor).
They would not have had any interest in Santorum or Paul or Bachmann or Huntsman.
Again, this is about the “non FR” universe, which some here, sadly, fail to remember does exist.
Santorum is my 2nd choice - but I’m not an enthusiastic supporter, but he would be far better than Obama. Romney is Obama-light. If Obama wins, were hosed and you will see civil unrest in the streets.
There’s a bumper sticker that expresses it well: Vote Republican - because we can’t all be on welfare!