Well, duh: The anti-immigrant fanatics tend to include the most bigoted of Republican voters, so the same people are likely to be among those who most hate the idea of a Mormon candidate!

He bet on the wrong horse. And I think he was morally wrong on that issue, as well as being completely impractical.

Still, in withdrawing from the presidential race, he gave as his reason the only one that makes sense: "In this time of war, I simply cannot let my campaign be a part of aiding a surrender to terror."

I agree with him that it is more important for our nation's future that the we-must-lose-at-any-price Democratic candidates be defeated. And I say that as a Democrat!

What does Romney do now? John McCain, a vain, unforgiving grudge-holder, never will be Romney's friend and probably will not welcome his help on the campaign. McCain will instead reach out to Mike Huckabee to help him keep the right wing of the party involved and engaged.

(Huckabee is actually a better choice for that role anyway, because if Romney could actually motivate that group, McCain would not be the probable nominee today — Romney would.)

But Romney's political future is not dead. On the contrary, there is a specific plan Romney can follow that will make him a much more powerful and viable candidate next time.

After all, Richard Nixon seemed politically dead after he lost the California governor's race in 1962 ("You won't have Dick Nixon to kick around anymore"), and when Ronald Reagan gave it his best shot in 1976 and unelected, Nixon-pardoning Gerald Ford still beat him for the Republican nomination, there were those who counted him out.

Learn from Nixon and Reagan, Brother Romney, and do this:

Go everywhere and campaign for every local Republican.

Concentrate on two groups:

1. Moderate Republicans campaigning in traditionally Democratic congressional districts, governors' races and Senate contests.

2. Christian evangelical candidates who need your advertising dollars. You'll run ads in their media area, but only if they also share a platform with you and let you speak alongside them.

Put Republicans in your debt all over this country. Nurture your relationship with state and local Republican leaders. Make yourself Mr. Republican by supporting even candidates whose positions you actually oppose.

Be open and honest about the fact that you don't agree on every point, but stress party loyalty and the importance of Republicans controlling both houses of Congress.