I find validity in some of your analysis - except that I submit that you risk making “the brand of ‘conservatism’” an idol outright.
And I’m not so sure that “conservatism” has that much cachet outside conservative circles.
So I guess then, it’s a weak counter-argument - imho...
Also one could argue that assuming Romney does well during his tenure, it follows that Ryan would succeed him under the rejuvenated “conservative” moniker/brand (kind of the “soft-sell” approach) - continuing the recovery from the Obama years.
Optimistic - I know...
“Also one could argue that assuming Romney does well during his tenure....”
That is a very HUGE assumption that I don’t think has a chance of being realized. In fact, I think Romney would screw up royally, and set up Hillary to replace him in 2016.....and cost us significant lost seats in the Congress. Hillary will be more dangerous than Obama because she is actually intelligent and way to the left of her hubby.