http://news.yahoo.com/election/2008/dashboard/;_ylt=AsgoUS8kA.0F.CGQuMzK.uis0NUE?d=ST

Can you imagine the story if McCain had placed 2nd in Iowa, won Wyoming, 2nd in New Hampshire, won Michigan? The race would be over according to them. With what has actually happened McCain has still blossomed into the media’s darling and there was this rabid anticipation for him to be the front runner.

There is a disconnect regarding where money comes from. Yes, Romney has spent $17 million of his own. He has also raised more than any other republican (maybe tied with Giuliani). Personal money aside, he has raised bucketloads compared to McCain and Huckabee and still the expectations game set by the media is that due to his prowess, Romney must perform above and beyond McCain & Huckabee.

All of the Republican candidates, with the exception of Romney, are broke. What money they have left they are deploying in South Carolina and Florida and hoping that the results there will enable them to raise more money to compete in the February 5th Super Tuesday contests.

…

In a weird way, the GOP presidential primary campaign now hinges on Mitt Romney. More specifically, it hinges on whether Romney will be willing to spend as much of his personal fortune as necessary to win the GOP nomination. That could amount to as much as $40 million, on top of the $17 million he has already contributed to the cause. If he does decide to fully fund his own campaign, then he will be able to outspend his rivals on television advertising by as much as 10-to-1 in state after state after state (think: February 5th). If someone asks you: “can Mitt Romney win the GOP nomination?” ask them: “is he willing to write the check?”

Retail politicking is over. Huck can’t visit every megachurch in all the states that vote on Feb 5. Money is going to be a big advantage.

now tonight, when romney’s victories and total returns dwarf the entire republican field, the media is saying the GOP field is “more jumbled than ever.”

romney’s win didn’t do anything except mix people up!

i don’t know why it is so hard for journalists to be honest about simple things like this.

You have to fund-raise on par with lemonade stands to get credit for a win or solid finish in the early primaries.