[wmfights]

Gingrich seems to have gotten the message that as useful as new methods may be to reach caucus-goers, the traditional methods are still important. To that end he’s announced the opening of several campaign offices in Iowa and other early voting states. On the other hand, this announcement was made a few weeks ago and the offices still aren’t open.

Newt is great at expressing his ideas, but this is part of his Achilles heel. I think the other part is his support of liberal ideas against conservatives.

Perry has a good shot. I think Bachmann and Santorum drop out after IA & NH. Cain's lack of organization and decline in the polls may eliminate him after NH, but more likely it will be after SC & FL. If I'm correct, then voters will look at Newt vs. Perry for the conservative anti-Romney vote. Newt has been great in the debates, but when voters are reminded of all the instances he has not supported conservative principals his support will probably flatten and then begin to decline. I see Perry getting a surge because he is the more natural choice for the Bachmann, Santorum and Cain supporters.

[xzins]

Romney.....Even if these efforts only help to lock in that low 20% support, it could be enough for a win on caucus night if the rest of the field remains splintered.

The most critical line in that entire article.

This is bald-faced recognition that splintering the conservative vote gives us Romney.

We need Bachmann, Santorum, and the next lowest polling conservative to drop out of this race before the hand it to Romney via splintering.

Unless, of course, that is the strategy of the conservatives....loss through stupidity...or something like that.

Perhaps some of the conservatives are actually shills for others, and stay in just because that's what their arrangement with ______ calls for.