My understanding is that assertion is a false rumor. Once the final tallies were in, Romney supposedly exceeded the number of votes won by McCain.
Mitt Romney votes= 60,932,152.
John McCain votes = 59,948,323
I guess that gang of ruthless facts beats to death your beautiful theory.
Few people stayed home, the Media cheated, and so did Obama's team.
It’s not surprising to see comperable numbers.
Both were Bob Dole clones.