Board Thread:Questions and Answers/@comment-10975360-20131014124545/@comment-32656-20131017083945

Both states have significant percentages that would, and did otl do so.

In the NY primaries, Romney won 63% of the vote otl, after his biggest opponent had withdrawn. California, 80% after all but one "real" opponent had. Both totals were inflated because of the withdrawals of his opponents.

Given the poll numbers he had in states with similar mindsets prior to the withdrawals, we could see the more moderate area having 40-45% of the votes. If you split that between two moderates, then a more conservative candidate would come out on top. Otl, in New Hampshire, Paul came 10% under Romney - imagine if another moderate had been on the ballot what would have happened. Paul'd have won.

With Romney as your nominee, no way that someone from neighboring New Hampshire would get the VP slot, leaving Ayotte off the ticket. Nikki Haley would be a resident of the Confederate States.

Bachman, no way. That's like asking to lose.

In the overall context, John Thune would be a good choice, I think.