Can Paul beat Romney?

[Cobbler]

If Gingrich collapses (which seems to be beginning to happen) and Ron Paul wins Iowa, can he pose a realistic challenge to Romney in capturing the nomination?

[Joe Biden 2020]

Yes, just because anything can happen in this race.  I don't think there is a realistic chance of that happening, but never say never.

[Middle-aged Europe]

Nope.

[Oakvale]

Haha, no.

[tmthforu94]

No. At this point I think Paul has an extremely serious shot at winning Iowa, but I still think either Santorum, Bachmann, or Perry will have a last-second surge. Hopefully one of the first two. Perry's the only one who concerns me, as he's the only one who could win in South Carolina as well.

[Cobbler]

The thing is, I feel like the whole "Serial Hypocrisy" campaign against Gingrich's flip flops was one of the large factors for his decline. If it becomes Paul vs Romney, I feel pretty certain that Paul will be able to create a similar attack ad for Romney. The question is, how effective would it be?

[tmthforu94]

A question: Would any of the remaining candidates endorse Paul over Romney?

I don't think so.

[Ⓐnarchy in the ☭☭☭P!]

A question: Would any of the remaining candidates endorse Paul over Romney?

I don't think so.

Bachmann, seeing as how she blatantly rips off his entire economic beliefs (Mises, etc), might consider it.

Besides that, I doubt many of those clowns are likely to win more than a fraction of the delegates and thus their endorsements won't matter too much.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Can? Yes.  Likely? No.

[Torie]

No, of course not.  I think I saw some poll that 60% of Republicans think Paul is a totally unacceptable candidate. His views are just way out of the mainstream on many matters.

[NHI]

No!

[Averroës Nix]

No, but even if the field is winnowed to him and Romney relatively early, I guess that it's conceivable that he could win a couple of post-Florida caucus states. It won't change anything, but depending on how satisfied Republicans are with Mitt as their nominee, this might be seen as a major embarrassment and sign of weakness for Romney. 

[M]

Hahaha. No.

60-70% of republicans are Yellow Dog level anybody-but-Paul's.

[Brandon H]

A question: Would any of the remaining candidates endorse Paul over Romney?

I don't think so.

Bachmann, seeing as how she blatantly rips off his entire economic beliefs (Mises, etc), might consider it.

Besides that, I doubt many of those clowns are likely to win more than a fraction of the delegates and thus their endorsements won't matter too much.

I don't think Bachmann would after Paul put her in her place on Thursday (at the debate) and Friday (on Leno). I think I do remember Bachmann mentioned Mises. She obviously doesn't understand Mises though.

[Stranger in a strange land]

No. The Republican establishment - and a good portion of the Republican base - will not let a Paul nomination happen. They will do whatever it takes to stop him.

[California8429]

Impossible. At his best he'll move into the high 20s, low 30s. He is just too distant from the republican party on foreign policy and as candidates drop out in a Romney-Paul race, they will all throw support behind Romney most likely.

[TheGlobalizer]

Can? Yes.  Likely? No.

[Mehmentum]

I imagine if it comes down to Paul v. Romney v. Conservative AntiRomney, Paul could pull out a victory off a win in Iowa and New Hampshire.