Halperin's Take

Some analysts of the Republican field seem to have forgotten the first rule of nomination fights: the best friend in American politics is ready money. Romney is a flawed frontrunner, but his financial advantage has the potential to be overwhelming. Gingrich, Huntsman and Daniels might be able to raise enough to keep rough pace with the former Massachusetts governor, but none of them can be truly certain that they will be able to raise the table stakes. Romney's financial strength (what he can raise from bundlers and his own personal wealth) has a chink in it, however: there is no indication that during the nomination phase he will be a good Internet fundraiser.