Over at the Reality Based Community, there's a short and very plausible bit on who the perfect GOP candidate for 2016 is: Putin, AKA Vladimir Mikhainovich Romneyov.
To the five reasons listed in the commentary, add one more. Barring any unfortunate events, Putin - like Romney - will be able to boast about having staged a Winter Olympics. Further, he'll have done it in Russia. If he can do that in a country with so many dysfunctional institutions, think what he'll be able to do in an America where the GOP has been actively sabotaging things for years!
The campaign ads write themselves: "A Tough Leader to Get America to Toughen Up!" "A REAL Red Stater!" Just imagine (if you have a strong stomach) Putin and Paul Ryan showing off their 6 pack abs together, and posing in muscle shirts.
I tell you, it's a natural fit - Putin is everything they want in a leader.