I'd wager a Mitt top of the ticket would be at least as harmful, down ballot - and my gut tells me it would be more harmful to the party as it is currently constituted.
For me, that's a win-win outcome. The GOP as currently constituted is damaging to the country.
“I do find that the GOP is in deep trouble... regardless of whether it is Mitt or Newt at the top of the ticket.”
a trip down memory lane:
In 1974, the Republican party hit the lowest point imaginable. The President was forced to resign, pardoned for all crimes by his unelected replacement. Two years later Jimmy Carter was elected. This should have been a golden age for democrats but instead Carter got his ass beat by an “unelectable” Ronald Reagan just 4 short years later. Obama has reached Carter levels of disapproval. this election is about one thing, “Are you better off than you were four years ago?”