Meaningless. If it wasn't, we'd have President Hilary Clinton, President Dean, President Paul Tsongas, President Gary Heart and probably dozens more. Being the front-runner this far out is virtually the kiss of death in politics.
Unfortunately, the GOP Primary set-up favors the front-runner, and Moderates. Giuliani was the fist early front-runner NOT to get the nomination, and that was mostly because his followers dissented to their second choice, McCain, when they finally came to terms with how opposed Rudy was by the grassroots. Also, he had previously burned some bridges that never fully got repaired.
The Democrats have had upsets numerous times, including with Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. Their primaries are set-up in such a way that upsets are more likely to happen.
The truth is: the GOP machinery is VERY effective in getting their candidate the nomination. Romney is ADORED by the establishment, absolutely LOVED. He is the odds-on favorite, and that's before the GOP encourages DeMint to run in SC (To bleed a likely Sarah win there and in NC/FL), Perry in TX (same), Gingrich in GA (same), Thune in the mountain states (same), and Santorum (to ensure PA and OH go Romney).
I am all for Palin, 100% behind her. But we have to be real and understand that this is Romney's nomination to lose.
No, it’s Republicans who run the guy whose turn it is. That’s how we got Bob Dole who didn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell of winning. We’ll run Mitt because it’s his turn. That’s part of the mindset of most Republicans, I think. Dems tend to run somebody out of left field - like Clinton, Obama, etc.
You forgot Giuliani, who was supposed to be a shoe in. I agree, Romney will not be the nominee, he is done he just hasn’t admitted it yet.