Looking Ahead ...

It's important to note that John McCain didn't just win independents this time (as he did in 2000), but that he won the majority of Republican votes in New Hampshire, last night. Still, there is no doubt that Granite State Republicans are a different breed than Iowa Republicans (who gave Huckabee the nod), and are certainly a different type of voter than, say, Floridians.

Of course, the problem for Mitt Romney -- assuming everyone is still in the race -- is that he won't just be competing against McCain on February 5, he will also have Huckabee, Thompson, and Giuliani to contend with.

I can only imagine that today, Mitt Romney is thinking: I beat all my metrics. I went to all the right events. My plan was implemented. This was supposed to work.

But politics is of the heart, as well as of the head ...