Looking at some polls out today and yesterday though the lens of “Newtrick Peringrichum,” a figure who would unify all of the supporters of Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum, and Rick Perry:
Rasmussen’s latest in Florida: Romney 41, Newtrick Peringrichum 36.
Insider Advantage, South Carolina: Romney 23, Newtrick Peringrichum 40.
Gallup tracking, national: Romney 31, Newtrick Peringrichum 37.
The good news is that if two of the three dropped out, and all of the supporters of those candidates unified behind the remaining candidate, that remaining candidate would indeed be in strong position to win, or at least be well situated to fight Romney all the way to the convention.
But it’s still worth noting that the support for the three candidates touted as “the Conservative Candidate” tops out at about 40 percent or so. The notion that the Republican party consists overwhelmingly, or even mostly, of conservatives who find Mitt too moderate doesn’t quite hold water.