see, you know what's weird.... I think Perry, Palin, Jeb, Rand, huck, and a few others are capable of winning a national election. They have the personality and IMPACT in a room that people respect, which goes beyond party lines.
On the other hand, a paul ryan, rubio, martinez... they are just too green for it. They don't COMMAND respect in a room like those other cats do. Huck stands on that stage and looks you in the eye and tells you what's what. If you disagree, he respects you, but that's just how things are. Rubio, in that same position, will shift his feet, tilt his head, and then compromise his own position just a little to try to reel you in. And every single person that originally supported him will take a step back. He folds way too quickly, wayyyy to eager to compromise. it's what politicians do in their first 3-4 years in the national spotlight... and it's why they're not ready to be prez. Obama was like this - WAY too eager to please. Look at mccain - he compromised all the time - had he just stayed a war hawk, he might have won. Romney would fold like a lawn chair, depending on the room. It makes the base not trust them.
I willl vote for a canddiate that I disagree with on 5 or 6 positions... because I accept their weaknesses in these areas, and I trust they aren't going to shift on the 5-6 things that I DO agree with them on. At the same time, I don't want a candidate that I like 12 things about, but 5 of those keep shifting a little, depending on who is in the room.
For example, I KNOW what Rand or Huck will do, once in office. They'll tell me, and I might like it or not like it - but I don't see Rand becoming some welfare state, big defense spender once he's in office. Rubio? Sheeit, I don't have a clue what he will do. Hilary, yea, we all know hilary's term would look a lot like Obama + Bubba, rolled up into one. But paul Ryan? Who the heck knows...