With the GOP horse race seemingly between Romney and Dick Perry, the Republican establishment is in a quandary.
With elites hesitating over both the painfully cautious, independent-voter-friendly Romney and the blustery, activist-charming Perry, their affections could still turn either way in the next two months.
Put another way: It’s shaping up as a choice between one candidate who looks electable and another who might be inevitable.
“People being more careful and looking for a candidate that has sustainability,” said Cathy Bailey, a major George W. Bush donor who served as ambassador to Latvia.
“They’re gonna bet on that candidate that’s gonna be able to take it across the finish line,” she said, referring to both the primary and the general election. “If you see a horse really pulling away, you have people fall in line behind that person.”