Will Mitt Romney eventually be asked to step in and save the Republican Party?

It seems highly improbable.  And my guess is that some of the Tea Party types would bolt the Party if, at a brokered convention, Romney became the 2016 nominee.  Some would rather go down to electoral defeat and hand the presidency to Hillary Clinton than support someone they see as a “RINO.”

And Governor Romney himself has shown no visible enthusiasm for the idea.  Quite the contrary.

But the demagogic, unconservative, and increasingly sinister Donald Trump continues to ride high in the polls — without, however, drawing anywhere close to 50% support — while other candidates struggle to stay alive.  Those who don’t like Mr. Trump, including yours truly, really don’t like him, and I think that, if nominated, he would probably lead the Republican Party to devastating electoral ruin.

Suppose, though, that he continues as the polling leader all the way to the convention in Cleveland, but without enough delegates to seal the deal.  What then?

Consider this insightful piece from the indispensable journal of political thought and current events The Onion:

“‘This Will Be the End of Trump’s Campaign,’ Says Increasingly Nervous Man for Seventh Time This Year.”

Mitt Romney has almost universal name recognition, a fundraising network already in place, and abundant experience as a candidate.  He could, thus, become a national candidate on short notice, which anybody chosen unexpectedly at the convention would need to do.  There have been some polls showing national buyer’s remorse regarding the country’s 2012 decision to reelect Barack Obama.  And, moreover, Mitt Romney is an adult.

So the idea continues to be mentioned occasionally.

Ironically, by the way, it’s been suggested that Governor Romney was warned off from a bid for the 2016 nomination by intimidation from the mighty Bush machine — but Jeb Bush seems to be a dead man walking.