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"Unfortunately, the GOP Primary set-up favors the front-runner, and Moderates."

That may be true. And, I'll stipulate that - for whatever reason - Romney is the darling of the GOP money machine. But, unlike some others - Reagan, Dole, HW Bush, Nixon - whose "turn it was", Romney is a little different. Romney doesn't have nearly the name recognition or longevity on the national scene as the others did clearly did. I bet well over 70% of the national electorate couldn't pick Romney out of a line-up. IOW, he's a guy who may be first in line, but no one has really heard of him. It's kind of without precedent in the last 70 years of Republican politics.

I don't think he'll get the nomination because he doesn't have the charisma, and because he's HATED by the SoCons. I still think it will either be Palin - if she performs well in the debates - or someone like DeMint, Thune or Barbour if Palin falls apart. Sure, those three don't have Romney's name recognition (as limited as it is), but no one hates them, either.

I want to say that I agree with you. But the socons were not able to prevent George HW Bush, Dole, and McCain. For whatever reason, social conservatives have a tendency to get isolated in the primary season. Usually because some kind of stalking horse like Pat Robertson or Mike Huckabee manages to siphon off their votes.

George W. Bush in 2000 is the only candidate in my memory that managed to unite the establishment and the socons during a primary season.

E.J Dionne of the WaPO said that Scott Brown and Sarah Palin are Romney's best friends. Scott Brown, the ObamaCare killer, promotes Romney. Sarah Palin, with her fame, drains all the oxygen from the room. Thus preventing a conservative alternative (i.e Pence, T-Paw, Thune, or Barbour) from gaining traction. If its between Palin vs Romney, Mitt can frame the primary debate into a “Mr. Fix It” vs a celebrity. Such a strategy could work for Romney, assuming there are no alternatives. In a Presidential primary with a potentially vulnerable Obama, there will alternatives.

If Palin is looking for “open doors” to the White House someday, it may be better for her to sit 2012 out and endorse a conservative alternative to Romney. An endorsement by Palin in the primary would create instant media buzz and momentum for that candidate. If the candidate wins the primary and defeats Obama, he would appoint Palin as Energy Secretary or Energy Czar. Thus enabling Palin to develop a record of competency on a national stage.