"Paul [is] credited for inspiring a dedicated following that has some predicting he could stage an upset in the caucuses"
That's about as close to a guarantee as you will get from them.
"Debate doesn’t shift state of campaign" by Glen Johnson | Globe Staff, December 12, 2011
DES MOINES - This weekend’s debate between the Republican presidential contenders did little to change the dynamic of the race just three weeks before the leadoff Iowa caucuses....
See: Tonight's TV Menu
Ron Paul [is] showing [he] will not yield the floor to the purported front-runners. Paul [is] credited for inspiring a dedicated following that has some predicting he could stage an upset in the caucuses on Jan. 3....
Translation: Caucuses are actual vote counts of people gathered together, and far more difficult to rig than voting machines.
For Paul, the debate was the latest opportunity to outline his libertarian vision for the country.
And in a portion of the debate where the candidates were asked about something positive they had learned from their rivals, Perry was among those crediting Paul.
“Congressman Paul got me really intrigued with the whole, the Federal Reserve,’’ said Perry. “Congressman Paul is the individual in the stage that got me most interested in a subject that I found to be quite interesting, and at the root of a lot of the problems that we have. And I thank you for that.’’
And I thank you, Rick: No Justice For Perry
Paul responded with a quip that nonetheless highlighted why he is revered by his supporters.
“Well, I have learned that you should never give up on your opposition. Because if you’re persistent, and you present your case, they will come your way,’’ he said to audience laughter.
If there was a peril to the front-running Newt Gingrich in the debate, it came at moments at which he hinted at the hubris so often attributed to him.
Oh, you noticed that, too.
Some in the post-debate spin room mocked his comparison to Reagan amid the Palestinian exchange.
Related: Sunday Globe Special: Gingrich's Political Gaffe
Heading toward the next debate on Thursday, Gingrich’s greatest foe may not be the people who stood on stage with him last night, but himself.
And that would leave only Ron Paul standing as the Republican nominee.
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Update:
"There has been some major movement in the Republican Presidential race in Iowa over the last week, with what was a 9 point lead for Newt Gingrich now all the way down to a single point. Gingrich is at 22% to 21% for Paul with Mitt Romney at 16%, Michele Bachmann at 11%, Rick Perry at 9%, Rick Santorum at 8%, Jon Huntsman at 5%, and Gary Johnson at 1%....
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And then on to New Hampshire:
"Gingrich has closed the gap with Romney in recent weeks. A CNN poll of New Hampshire voters released last week had Romney at 35 percent, Gingrich at 26 percent, and Representative Ron Paul of Texas at 17 percent. The race remains fluid, with 48 percent of voters saying they were open to changing their mind.
--more--"
Either way Ron is still in the race.
