Maybe I'm missing it but why is it a good idea to get Christie out of the number one spot?

[Lizzie Poppet]

9. I actually consider him the most dangerous GOP candidate.

Yes, he's unpopular with the far-right. But I think the far-right voters who would simply stay home are no greater in number than what he'd gain in the middle (over a more conservative pick). This would be particularly true if Hillary is the Democratic nominee. She may be considered not nearly left-leaning enough for many people here, but she is utterly despised by the right. She could easily offset any demotivational effect on the far-right base that Christie's nomination created. They hate her. But knock Christie out, and the middle would swing hard towards Hillary.

A moderate, "RINO" candidate remains the GOP's best chance. It didn't work last time not because Romney was a relative moderateb, ut because he was a really unlikable asshole, a rather obvious sociopath. Asshole though Christie may be, he's not remotely in Mittens' league in that regard.

I'd much rather the GOP nominate someone like Cruz.