Simply put, says Sabato, it would be a "Newt-Mare."

Looking at the Electoral College map and recent state polls, the Crystal Ball team found that Mitt Romney would keep Republican states red and would help turn some purple states red, making it possible for the former Massachusetts governor to eke out a slim victory over President Obama. [Poll: Is Newt Gingrich Right About Going to the Moon?]

"Romney's the closest thing out there to a generic Republican available. He is not going to steal the presidency away from the incumbent if Obama's having a good year and the economy is solid. Rather, if the country is ready to make a change, then Romney would be a credible alternative," says Sabato.