Another national
poll(AP): Rudy 29% (up 2 pts), Thompson 19%(down 4 pts), McCain
13%, Romney 12%( up 1 pt), Huckabee 10%. In early state polling
Zogby has Romney up by 14% in Iowa
and Rasmussen has him up 15% in NH. But
more interesting perhaps is news that Huckabee and his staff
intend to spend virtually all their time between now and Jan. 3 in
Iowa. That is Huckabee's big chance and it makes perfect sense for
him to camp out there and make a run at Romney, stressing his
social conservative credentials and theme of "authenticity and
consistency" -- oh gosh, who could that be directed at? -- for the
next 50 plus days. If he wins or comes real close the race is
transformed. So what does Romney do? He must defend NH and continue
to hammer away at SC so he can't spend all his time in Iowa. But
I'm guessing there will be a lot of Romney paid ads and several
days each week spent in the state.