The New Hampshire Polls open today, and before long, reality will come crashing through a day full of lofty expectations.
Mitt Romney will unquestionably win New Hampshire. Despite the recent slew of attacks against Romney’s character, business ethics, and patriotism, he has too many supporters to place second. Despite the apparent lack of competition, the real question is who will come in second.
For Ron Paul, a favorable showing will put him up as the only possible contender against Mitt Romney able to run a national campaign (Though his libertarian ideals will never win him the nomination). For Jon Huntsman, failing to place second will mean that his entire campaign effort in New Hampshire will be for nothing, and he will have to drop out. Rick Santorum failing to place second forces him to fall back to South Carolina, where Romney has been gaining surprisingly fast in the polls. Failure to get a first place finish in South Carolina will force him to drop out. Newt Gingrich isn’t truly competing in the race anymore, he’s just trying to destroy Romney’s credibility. And as for Rick Perry, well, he should just drop out and save himself the trouble.
Though it’s do or die time for many candidates, arguably the most desperate is Jon Huntsman. After focusing all of his campaign funds on New Hampshire, failing to succeed dooms him in further primaries. Recent debate performances and some very charismatic remarks have Huntsman finally gaining his “anti-Romney boom,” but the question is whether or not it will be sufficient.
Today brings with it stress, frayed hairs, and the end of the road for many of the Republican candidates. Only time will tell who they will be.