Death Watch

Can Newt Stop His Freefall?

Everyone now thinks Romney has it in the bag.

After Gingrich tumbled in the polls and The Des Moines Register endorsed Romney, the conventional wisdom has swung back against Newt. Desperate, he's resorted to "a radical, constitutionally dubious assault on federal judges," writes Salon's Steve Kornacki. But it's not looking like he can withstand the concerted assault from the GOP establishment. "With the caucuses approaching, Iowans are more engaged now, and Gingrich’s recent rise also spooked some influential conservatives into vouching for Romney, whom they see as far more electable. So maybe for the first time Romney will benefit directly from an opponent’s flame out, propelling him to a potentially decisive Iowa triumph."