The polls show that the most conservative voters are generally not voting for Romney. The "very conservatives" never do, the "somewhat conservatives" wobble, and the moderates and liberals are voting for him. The "somewhat conservatives" are our problem I guess. If they were voting against Romney he wouldn't win. The polls show they've gone wobbly because they believe that "only Romney can beat Obama." I haven't heard any conservative argue for Romney on ANY basis except electability. As for me, I neither agree that Romney is the most conservative nor the most electable, but these people seem to be buying the RINO media spin. The other problem is the Mormons are generally conservative, but they are voting as an almost 100% block for Romney and turning out in huge numbers (25% turnout in Nevada but they're 7% of the population). Without the block Mormon vote, Romney probably wouldn't be winning either.
Here are the results of the exit polls from Illinois. Remember, of course, that political views are self-identified; someone can SAY they are conservative, and not be conservative. Still, it paints a different picture than you do:
Very Conservative : Santorum 48%, Romney 37% Somewhat Conservative: Romney 55%, Santorum 31% Moderate To Liberal : Romney 48%, Santorum 27%, Paul 17% Tea Party - Support : Romney 47%, Santorum 36% Tea Party - Neutral : Romney 47%, Santorum 36% Tea Party - Oppose : Romney 53%, Santorum 23%, Paul 17%For comparison, here's Mississippi:
Very Conservative : Rick 39%, Newt 35%, Mitt 22% Somewhat Conservative: Mitt 33%, Rick 31%, Newt 31% Moderate to Liberal : Mitt 38%, Newt 28%, Rick 26% Tea Party - Support : Rick 34%, Newt 34%, Mitt 27% Tea Party - Neutral : Mitt 35%, Rick 32%, Newt 27% Tea Party - Oppose : Mitt 37%, Rick 30%, Newt 21%I'd have to do more comparisons, but it seems in a very conservative state, Mitt still draws too much support from "very conservatives", and he "wins" the somewhate conservative, although split 3 ways. With only two candidates, or maybe it's just the "inevitability" sneaking in, he does way too well with both groups.
A LOT of attitudes would have to switch for Romney to crater among Tea party supporters or the very conservative and conservative voters. He is, for whatever reason, getting support across the political spectrum, including conservatives and tea party folks. That more than anything is keeping him in the front.