I remember it well. Plenty of others were on FR warning that Romney was going to get it, and were shrugged off. Very sad. Instead they legitimized Romney, made him "Republican." The wrong thing to do.
Don't let that same attitude saddle us with Christie.
Pro-actively support Cruz and position him -- absolutely. But also, and this is the dirty work no one wants to do, go on offense and hound the liberal Republicans, the ones who think "Republican" is barganing for the R side on Democrats' terms, out of the party. Either that or be prepared for a forced third party.
I don't like the threat of third party, but it doesn't care, just like it didn't care that Romney was going to rise from the dead after 2008 and get 2012. It happened regardless, some saw it coming, and I think moves have to be fast and aggressive to save the day in 2016 if it's going to be "Republican."
The face of the Republican party is a crap shoot, you don't really know what kind of government power you're voting for, just that it isn't Democrat. The face of the Democrat party is a sure bet -- Democrats know exactly what their votes will be pushing for.
But Republicans? What "brand"?
Romney never got above 30% of vote in primaries until his nomination became apparent. Let us face the truth...too many more conservative candidates split the vote clearing the path for the moderate from Massachusetts.
Why do I get this ominous feeling 2016 will be a repeat of 2012.