Quin, if politics is the stuff of narrative art, I don't see how
a Thompson-Romney alliance would help either candidate's story. For
Thompson, it would read like an act of desperation, thereby
confirming impressions that his candidacy was stillborn. For
Romney, it would reinforce the loser image he's developed after
failing to win anywhere on his own. In any case, the primary race
is supposed to showcase the individual; anyone who has to hide
behind a partnership with a rival automatically will suggest he
lacks the right stuff. It was bad enough in 1976 when Ronald Reagan
announced Richard Schweiker would be his running mate. But at least
that came very late in the game.