Saturday Open Thread [1.7.12]

So Romney is heading for a blow out win in New Hampshire, although one poll show a Huntsman surge. But it is probably an outlier, and even in that poll, Romney still leads with 37. After New Hampshire, Huntsman drops out. The conservative remains divided until South Carolina between Perry, Gingrich, Perry and Santorum. Which is why Romney is leading in South Carolina, aided by a polling boost from a "win" in Iowa. If Romney wins there, it's all over. And conservatives will be left a candidate they absolutely hate.

Prediction Thread For Tonight’s Republican Debate

Expectations are high for tonight's debate, so let's discuss what might happen. Amazingly, tonight looks like it may be the first time the frontrunner, Romney, faces serious attack. Not sure why he was given a pass until now, and even with the field suddenly realizing they've given Romney the advantage, it may be too late to derail what they created. With that said, here's what I'm looking (hoping?) for:

Question

Can Santorum be the Not-Romney candidate? Can he seriously become viable? I honestly don't know. Here's what I do know. The GOP base is desperate for anyone but Romney - and I'm beginning to feel they'd rather say President Obama than President Romney. But can Santorum be turned into a viable candidate? Confession: In the back of my mind, I keep thinking that the Conservative money men are searching for a way to get Perry into the race again. Not sure if that's even possible, but he's always been their guy. Sorry, just can't shake this feeling.

Wow.

The U.S. economy added 200,000 jobs in December, beating expectations. The unemployment rate fell to 8.5%. If the economy really starts roaring back to life in the first half of 2012, the election will be pretty much over. Just like in 1996.

Delaware 2012 Political Weekly: January 1 to January 6, 2012

Just in time for the 2012 Delaware election season, I'm starting a brand new weekly feature for all you political junkies out there. Each Friday, I will review the political events of the past week. Events will include, but not be limited to, announcements, filings, retirements, intrigue, financial reports, debates, etc. I aim to be comprehensive and, of course, entertaining. Accordingly, I will often evaluate/predict how meaningful (or not meaningful) each development might be. I'm also pretty certain that this format will change as I get more accustomed to writing the weekly pieces.