The American Spectator

This surprising show of pessimism by Romney is an unusual slip in an otherwise entirely disciplined campaign. Once you say overtly "I'm not sure we can win" you begin to bleed votes. Who's going to drag themselves out on a cold caucus night for someone who isn't saying "Sure, we can win this thing" ? Could Thompson pass him on the enthusiasm meter? Anything is possible this election cycle.

Rudy had his big speech with a video intro that is very well done. Notice how they handle 9-11 --- with a restrained reaction shot. Will it be the jump start he needs? If Romney hasn't been able to close the sale as the executive who can deliver and McCain doesn't pull out a win in New Hampshire (he just might, by the way) we may eventually get to Huckabee vs. Rudy as we head into February 5. Then we will test whether GOP voters think fighting Islamic terrorists is just one box to check or something to determine their vote.(And we'll se whether Gerson style conservatism is really where we are headed.) But that is eons from now.

UPDATE: And Romney is letting it all fly, going after Huckabee on foreign policy with this email from Spokesman Kevin Madden: "Mike Huckabee is known for his witty one-liners, but his criticism of the Bush Administration with sound bites right from the Democrats' talking points is no laughing matter. At a time when Republican voters want strength of purpose and resolve in foreign policy, Mike Huckabee has resorted to the Democrat playbook of just bashing the president." He goes on to list the Democrat sounding things Huckabee has said. It gets a little dicey as Romney sounds his own criticisms of the war but either Romney, or if he is not to survive, one of his rivals will have to convince voters that Huckabee lacks a conservative foreign policy outlook and sound judgment. McCain, Thompson and Rudy may have an easier time making the argument given their background and longstanding views.