Is it just me or has Romney been much more popular lately? I have a feeling he'll do good in the future, so if this is true this is keeping the votes spread out
Better to get rid of McCain and Huck sooner rather than later. Once it's down to two candidates they can't exclude RP from debates unless Romney is going to debate himself flip-flopper style.
If Ron Paul doesn't pick up his % of votes in the republican primary I'd say he'd be ignorant to think an independent run would do any better, though it may further serve to push his message on to the election.