1. Will Iowa Be the GOP’s Version of Gephardt vs. Dean?

2. Nancy Pelosi and David Axelrod Open Their Mouths and We Make It Too Complex

3. Anti-Pipeline Dave Heineman Should Not Run for Senate in Nebraska

1. Will Iowa Be the GOP’s Version of Gephardt vs. Dean?

Mitt Romney has to win New Hampshire. His own campaign has set those expectations. If he does not win New Hampshire it is game over for Mitt.Unfortunately for Mitt Romney, expectations have been set so high for him in New Hampshire, a win might not be enough if the win is close. And right now Newt Gingrich is surging in New Hampshire. He has gone up dramatically now within 14 points of Romney. Likewise, Huntsman is going up too. Both are cutting into the numbers of other candidates, including MItt Romney.If Newt Gingrich does as polls are suggesting in Iowa — a big win — he will have big momentum going into New Hampshire, but not just New Hampshire, South Carolina too. Winning two out of the first three races and then going to Florida where Newt is also ahead will pretty much destroy the inevitability argument Romney has had.In other words, Romney needs to stop Gingrich in Iowa. But about the only way to do that with one month to go is to unleash hell on Gingrich. That brings us to Dick Gephardt and Howard Dean.Please click here for the rest of the post.

2. Nancy Pelosi and David Axelrod Open Their Mouths and We Make It Too Complex

I don’t want to offend any of my friends or colleagues, all of whom I have a great deal of respect for, who are positing various theories on why Nancy Pelosi or David Axelrod are saying things about Romney or Newt.Everyone seems intend on making it a conspiracy or about reverse psychology or something.I don’t see it that way. I am perfectly happy to admit I could be wrong, but I don’t see it that way. I do not think the Democrats are intentionally trying to bait us into picking their preferred candidate by attacking that candidate now and I do not think Nancy Pelosi is bashing Newt with gnostic knowledge of prior bad deeds because she fears him as the nominee.For starters, Republicans have largely concluded that America’s Mother-In-Law is a bit daft. Consistency requires that we not now view her as machiavellian enough to suddenly angle the GOP nomination in Newt’s favor or let slip some level of fear about him by attacking him.The simple answer seems to me to be the right one — Nancy Pelosi just can’t help but run her mouth on stuff like that. It also fits a long recurring pattern about Nancy Pelosi mouthing off about various matters when asked by reporters. For the first time this year she finds herself the center of attention. Additionally, because the events must be kept confidential and because the events are long forgotten, raising it now gives it time to start percolating with the press.Please click here for the rest of the post.

3. Anti-Pipeline Dave Heineman Should Not Run for Senate in Nebraska

One of the biggest political and policy winners for Republicans is their strong support for expeditious approval of the Keystone Pipeline. Their unified support for this propitious project has provided voters with a sharp contrast to Obama’s casual disregard for private-sector job creation and cheap energy for consumers. Hence, it is a no-brainer that the pipeline issue should be used as a rallying cry for all Republicans running for elected office in 2012.In that vein, Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman would be wise to remain in Lincoln, and discard any aspirations to run for Senate.Please click here for the rest of the post.