I think Mittens very well could win the 2012 election. Why? Because, as the article said, due to the "earned my turn" mentality, he has a chance at getting the nomination, due to help from the GOP machine. Many people have been well trained by the LSM to recoil in horror and recite a little spell at the mention of Sarah Palin. Romney is a 'safer' candidate in the establishment sense. He's one of those moderately to the right, don't rock the boat, been around awhile politicians. People may be more comfortable with him, because he's the kind of DC slickster they're used to.
That said, if the tea-party and similar movements continue to grow, Palin's chances will increase. But like I said, many many people are scared out of their wits by Palin without even knowing why.
Its all speculation. My two cents, for whats its worth.
I think you may be correct. He would obtain more votes from across the aisle and the repub machine than Palin because he IS a RINO and a good ole boy. Meg Whitman lost in CA because it was CA, an enormous risk and expense for any republican. The repub party is in wait-and-see mode (chaos) as are the pundits. This being said, I would still vote for Palin all the way.