Romney's still the man most likely to get the job.

The Republicans now are suffering from the mania they've had for a few years in flocking to anyone who looks a possible winner (usually by coming out with some nonsensical extreme soundbite on something or other) only to back off after they realise they are mad, stupid or both. Palin and the Tea Party started it, Gingrich only got into the current contest because of it.

Underneath it all is the fear that none of their mainstream candidates can touch Obama when it comes to presentation, and they are likely to be smashed in any televised debates.