RE your point that Romney didn’t turn out the base:
First, you’re correct. And this cost us downticket candidates (eg Indiana, Missouri, Montana and North Dakota Senate seats) where it mattered how big we carried the state.
Second, it’s not clear you can convince the persuadable 6 percent. The Democrats didn’t even try. During the debates, they were GOTVing. Speaking to their base. Romney and Ryan were trying to be reasonable. Trying to appeal to the 6 percent.
Third, for a lot of people, both in the base and in the 6 percent, it’s not about reason. It’s about image. The “trust factor” and the “likability” factor. This means you have to actually attack your opponent’s manhood. Nice guys finish last. Romney did not call out Obama for being an empty suit. I don’t know, maybe he didn’t because of race. One of those “soft racism” things.
And that’s another good point AGAINST Romney’s campaign. The GOTV, particularly the GOT-Base effort was pitiful...OBVIOUSLY.