Romney is left of RINO status. He is who the MSM wants the Republicans to nominate. It’s sort of like when the MSM was saying that Guilliani was the “clear favorite” for the Republican nomination before the 2008 elections, ignoring Fred Thomas who was ahead of him in every poll.
I doubt Romney is a tea party favorite. Palin may have close ties with some, but her ties with McShame will hurt her with many TP’ers.
“ignoring Fred Thomas who was ahead of him in every poll.”
Fred Thomas? Does he know Jim Thompson?