To the extent that I understand your question- yes- it would have been better for both Rick and Newt to have continued to double team Romney.
Yes, Romney split the conservative vote— but viable candidacies from Rick and Newt would have split Romney’s money.
Neither Rick or Newt could compete with Romney one on one New- they had to act in concert
Thanks for the reply. Now we just have to wait how big the migration from Santorum to Romney is. Tomorrow we might get the answer.