We’ll learn the result of the Florida primary tomorrow night. Most signs indicate that Romney will win. Then, on Saturday, they’ll hold the Nevada caucuses. Most likely, Romney will win those, too. That will give him some momentum going into next Tuesday’s caucuses in Colorado and Minnesota. I’m not seeing much of a pulse from Ron Paul’s campaign, but Colorado is probably his best chance to make himself relevant again. Next Tuesday will also be the first obvious opportunity for candidates to drop out. If Romney runs the table from Florida to Colorado and Minnesota, his opponents will have to find a way to survive until the next contest. And the next contest won’t be until February 28th, in Arizona and Michigan. Will Rick Santorum hang around?
Gingrich and Paul might be determined to stay in the race regardless of what happens over the next eight days, but they’d be better funded, get better press coverage, and receive less pressure to drop out if they can win something before the long hiatus.
