No one ever said it would be easy for Mitt Romney to win the Republican nomination for president in 2012.  But few believed it would prove to be so complicated.

Romney is the likely nominee. In the end, what matters are delegates and Romney is the only candidate who can reach the necessary 1144.  But the primary contest will continue for months, and Romney will emerge a damaged candidate, making it even more difficult for him to defeat President Obama in November.

Although Romney was the winner in last week’s Super Tuesday elections – he won six of the ten states and got the biggest prize in Ohio – there is no sign yet that any of the other Republican candidates is prepared to quit the race.   Romney has the best organization and most money, but Rick Santorum, Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul have their supporters and enough money to continue to challenge Romney.

Even Republicans who are voting for Romney are doing so with little passion or enthusiasm.  They think he has the best chance to defeat Obama.   What is most worrying for the Romney campaign is that, as the primary contest continues, voters’ negative perceptions of Romney have increased.   He will have to overcome a unfavorability level of 40 % to attract independent voters in the general election.

The problem is that, given the nature of the Republican primary and the base of the party, Romney has been forced to move further to the right on many issues, including immigration.    This may help him secure the nomination, but it greatly weakens his appeal.  He also continues to make mistakes that only call attention to his wealth and make him seem out of touch with ordinary Americans.

Sometimes primary contests end up strengthening the final nominee.  This was the case in 2008, in the race between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination.   Obama was challenged by Clinton, and became more effective as a result.     But Obama had passionate supporters that Romney lacks.

Few believe this primary process has been healthy for the Republican Party.   Some are still hoping that Romney will not be able to secure enough delegates, and at the party’s convention in August there will be a negotiation and another candidate – one not now in the race – will emerge.  That is highly improbable.

The White House has benefited politically from an improving economy and a nasty Republican primary.    The real test for Romney and the Republicans will come in September, once the general election campaign begins.