When Santorum started to win several states, calls for Newt to withdraw were rebutted on the ground that if he did that, Romney would surely get to the magic number before Tampa. As it is now, Santorum has suspended his campaign. Wouldn’t the same logic, Romney would get the nomination sooner than Tampa since some of the supporters of the withdrawn candidate would go to him, apply here?
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