I think you’re underestimating the importance of the NRLC endorsement. The support for individual candidates in the Primary race is still very fluid at this time, and there are still about 20% undecided nationally. In this fluid environment, what the candidates are looking for at this point is anything that will cause voters to give them another look. This endorsement couldn’t have come at a better time for Thompson, whose numbers lately have been steadily eroding.
Sure, I'll give you that - but very few people that would be influenced by that kind of press are paying attention right now.
Besides, the state organization in IA endorsed Willard. If anything makes a voter give someone a second look, winning IA, NH, MI, NV, and SC certainly will.