He lost on purpose.
More likely, he just didn't have the energy or the focus or the sense of purpose. The nomination was the prize and once he got that he didn't know where to go from there.
And he thought it would be easier. He thought he was going to win. He was overconfident. And lazy, I guess.
I don't buy the "designated loser" theory. You don't go through the whole campaign thing because you want to take a dive in the end.
Romney had Obama on the ropes after the first debate then started running not to lose...”playing it safe” rarely works and that is what he did - that allowed Obama to regain footing instead of keeping him on the defensive.
Of course Hurricane Sandy certainly also threw a huge wrench into the cogs - allowing Obama to completely overshadow Romney - Romney disappeared and there was nothing he could do about it - the press was ecstatic of course at the opportunity to completely rehabilitate the wounded Obama. And Chris Christie going all over the networks going out of his way to offer slobbering glowing praise of Obama didn’t help either.
Trump himself also attacked Romney as being too tough on immigration and said that is what lost him the race at the time.
I agree. McCain lost on purpose too.
Both of them are Deep State and the Deep State wanted its long-groomed agent in place.