I don't hold Mormonism against Romney. I hold his record as Massachusetts governor against him. He was the governor of one of the most liberal states in the eastern US. His record that I'm aware of doesn't put him in my conservative column.

Ron Paul is a libertarian. Consequently he is not my kind of conservative. Hunter and some of the others you mention are too unknown. I'd have to learn more about this Huckabee, I don't even know who he is. Same for Gilmore. Tancredo, Hagel, Brownback, all wornout retreads. Newt is a swell guy and very intelligent but he's all wornout also.

I wouldn't care if the nomination went to a newcomer I've never heard of as long as he hasn't been in politics before. Not very damn likely that anyone like that would get the nod from the powers that be and most voters would turn thumbs down. They want to have an idea what to expect from their candidates. Not that it matters. They'll all lie to get the nomination.