That is why I don't believe this will happen.
You’re right. It is highly unlikely that he would harm Rand’s chances in the future. It won’t do any good to point this out because the RP threads are never rational, informed, or balanced.
It will probably be Mittens in a landslide, and the useful idiots the GOPe relies on will live to regret it.
Rand Paul himself has publicly endorsed Mitt Romney - both at the convention in his speech and before. This would create a rather awkward situation.