Growing numbers of Republican conservatives now see Mitt Romney as most likely to win their party’s presidential nomination -- and that is forcing them to make a choice.

They can resist the former Massachusetts governor’s primary candidacy at all costs. Or they can back him and use that leverage to pressure him to hew to the party’s agenda, including opposition to abortion rights, gay marriage, a hard line on illegal immigration and skepticism toward global warming.

“We’re at the 11th hour of this process, and there are really one of two ways to go,” said Al Cardenas, chairman of the anti-tax, anti-government-spending American Conservative Union in Alexandria, Virginia, and former head of Florida’s Republican Party.

The options being debated, he said, are, “either to have a movement conversation with Mitt Romney and reach a level of comfort, and move forward with the concept of the inevitable nomination of Mitt Romney,” or “to finally put all of its weight behind one other candidate.”

The debate is reaching its crescendo with the first voting in Iowa set to begin in less than eight weeks, a shrinking window that has some worried that time will run out on their ability to influence the nominating process.
Anti-Romney Group

Some conservative activists have already picked sides. A group of Republican strategists, bloggers and commentators this week launched a web-based anti-Romney organization called nottmittromney.com.

The website is dedicated to halting Romney’s progress by highlighting claims that he’s switched positions on such issues as abortion and gun rights, illegal immigration and the causes of climate change.

On abortion, Romney critics often cite his pledge in the 2002 Massachusetts governor’s race: “I will preserve and protect a woman’s right to choose and am devoted and dedicated to honoring my word in that regard.”

Since that race, Romney has said his position evolved. At a June 13 CNN debate, he attempted to put the matter to rest. “I am firmly pro-life,” he said, “I believe in the sanctity of life from the very beginning to the very end.”
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