Most RINOS were found in Southern States.
Modernizing it just a little you find that RINOS ARE POLITICIANS whose political leanings are something other than classical Republican or Conservative yet they seek office as Republicans, or they support such people with time and money.
Several months ago I went through the political career backgrounds of all the Republican candidates for President. At the time there were 10 such people. 7 of them had questionable non-Republican party ties or events in their backgrounds. They were then, in fact, arguably RINOS.
Lots of Freepers were campaigning for those RINOS. So there's your answer about "Exactly how so many other capable candidates were left behind or defeated"
Interesting. The Texas governor seemed to have been eliminated for almost no reason, or did I miss something? Mr. Cain got “smeared” with no proof (by a woman linked to a high-level BHusseinO operative— that could’ve been the more significant story but the media never informed us any more about it)? Sen. Bachman’s campaign seemed to be going fairly well and then? Newt sounds very intelligent and knowledgeable/prepared but we’re repeatedly told he can’t get the nomination because “the party insiders don’t want him??” What’s that about? Who are those people? Do we know? Well, politics is like sausage, maybe you don’t really want to know what goes into it or how its made? Except it is a bit curious. And we all get to live with the consequences. (One thing, the caucuses look too-easily mis-used or manipulated ...?) Thanks for your info!