At this point a slightly smaller step in the wrong direction might be all we can get. And I have to disagree with you. Refusing to vote for the alternative to 0bama, be it Santorum or Romney, is refusing to counter a Democrat’s vote for 0bama. It’s that simple.
I didn’t say I wouldn’t vote for Rick if he were to face Obama. I don’t think voting for Romney over Obama is meaningful, and even has some downsides politically.