The Republicans did not want a "conservative alternative" to Romney

A lot of polling showed dissatisfaction among RWers. Romney kept under-performing. A series of utterly absurd figures would rocket ahead in the polls if they said they were "real" conservatives.

But the RW did not want a conservative alternative to Romney. Yes, they were mildly titillated by the idea... it was something to talk to pollsters about. If they could wave a magic wand and resurrect Reagan they would have been pleased.

They wanted a conservative the way I want a pinball machine. It might be fun, but I'm not like I'm actually going to BUY one.

If there had been actual public desire for a conservative then some rank-and-file conservatives would have donated some money to a "real conservative" candidate.

They didn't. Not only were Newt and Santorum outspent by Romney a zillion to one, they were both financed by individual wealthy lunatics. Without Citizens United Santorum and Gingrich would have been lucky to raise a million dollars.

Consider how much money Hillary and Obama both raised in 2008, and that was for two idealogically similar candidates! There was a lot of real excitement. People wanted to donate... to be involved.

Nobody wanted Romney. That's for damn sure.

But the RW Republicans just didn't care. They muttered some pitiful discontent then fell listlessly in line. They never felt like they controlled the process anyway... they were alienated from their own party.

They are depressed. That doesn't mean they aren't dangerous, but that's the term for this whole pug nominating process: Chronic depression.