I agree with your history lesson, but not your conclusion. I still today say Rubio has done us all a huge favor by that. I could make a case that says Ted Cruz and Mike Lee don't even attempt to beat the establishment in their states without Rubio's victory.
Having said that, nationally and in SC, Rubio has lost most of those conservatives.
It was at a large sports bar..on a Saturday..they'd booked the place from 10-1..We got there at 9:30, and the place was already packed..SRO, and they were talking about having to call the fire marshals. He was introduced briefly, by some TP person, then he spoke, off the cuff, for 30 minutes, then took questions from the audience for 2 hours...on every topic.
When we left, outside I signed up to volunteer, and wrote a check to the campaign. And that night, on FR, I wrote that I'd just seen a future president of the US. I think it was 2 months later that the NR cover story came out, and that really got the ball rolling.
Rubio delivered us from Crist...and despite some blunders since, he has a lot going for him in the primary season.
I'm supporting Cruz...but if Walker, or Rubio, or heck, even Carly pulls it out..I'm fine with it.
The real question in SC is what will Haley, DeMint, and Scott do. Personally, I'd like to see the three of them stay neutral during the primary.