[Savage Beast]

"But if that extremely unlikely event should occur, I don't think any of the contenders would be a good choice. Has to be someone else that hasn't been tarred by other Republicans. He/she will get tarred enough by the media."

Romney has been tarred by other Republicans.

The media will tar anyone the Republicans nominate.

Gingrich would be tarred with exceptional venom by the media, but he has the advantage of having had every possible misstep and fault already exposed ad nauseam and of having learned to game the system with expertise.

"But, if Romney is the candidate, and loses, the Republican party will likely go the way of the Whigs. But it might not matter, since a long dark age will likely descend on the Republic.. and the world."

Whether or not Romney be the candidate is beside the point. It makes no difference who the Republican candidate is, the dark scenario you describe still holds.

When I spoke of a long dark age, I was fully aware of its terrible meaning. Intentionally I left the words long and dark unmodified.

[El Gato]

Whether or not Romney be the candidate is beside the point. It makes no difference who the Republican candidate is, the dark scenario you describe still holds.

Agreed.

But it would make a difference should the Republican candidate win.