[jbonham76]

You do realize that your ridiculous comments win your guy Romney no converts and also set up "expectations" so high that all Thompson has to do is finish within 10% of Romney for it to look like Romney failed, don't you?

Yes, the whole world is reading this thread.

Actually, I just think Fred supporters should stop and balance their perception of reality with the reality in Iowa.

[Always Right]

Actually, I just think Fred supporters should stop and balance their perception of reality with the reality in Iowa.

The reality is that Iowa is not over and just saying it is doesn't make it so.

[GCC Catholic]

The reality in Iowa is that the results for the straw poll could end up very skewed.

-Romney dumped tons of cash into his campaign there
-Rudy and McCain may or may not even show
-Fred hasn't even declared and has spent no cash there yet

If Romney wins, no surprise. If anyone else makes a good showing, even if Romney wins, then it's a black mark against him.

[Anitius Severinus Boethius]

Romney has a good organization on the ground, but he needs to keep feeding it money. That isn’t a problem for him yet, but 7 months is an eternity in politics, and if he runs into a few hitches, he could see some of that money drying up.

So, yes, right now all candidates need to measure themselves against Romney’s organization in Iowa, but that doesn’t mean it’s a slam dunk for him and Thompson can’t build a very strong organization as well.

[Atlas Sneezed]

Actually, I just think Fred supporters should stop and balance their perception of reality with the reality in Iowa.

---

The reality may be that Mitt will see poll numbers shifting profoundly when Fred announces, and when Mitt stops being the only advertising voice in the race.

Iowa may prove either to be the start of Mitt’s hopes (if he keeps a commanding lead) or the end (if Fred gets anywhere near close, and wins other states early on.)