Looking at the dynamic of the 1996 and 2008 Republicans primaries, the voters seem to have flirted with the crazy and then gone for the "serious" candidate. Remember McCain appeared to be getting crushed in polls not all that long before the primaries began. Now I think McCain is a very silly person, but he was still in the position of the very serious elder Washington statesman beloved by Villagers.
This is why I'm a bit puzzled by Mittens. I know Mittens 2012 is going to be more conservative than Governor Mittens, but more conservative doesn't mean sounding like Sarah Palin. His only chance is to run on electability. It might not work, but if people want a real wingnut there are other options.
