OP/ED: GOP Nomination is Romney's to Lose

By Fran Wendelboe

Rick Perry may have had the biggest group of supporters at his debate watching party (more than Herman Cain, Ron Paul and Mitt Romney combined), but he stood to lose the most at Tuesday's debate.

Chatting afterward with those who actually attended the debate clearly gave the impression that the Perry debate performance did not break his lackluster debate performance cycle.

Herman Cain faced the biggest challenge of living up to his recent surge in the polls. Tea Party activists who happen to not want to support Mitt seem to be realizing they need to coalesce behind the non-Romney who CAN win. They are watching Cain closely to see if he is the one. The big question is, can he maintain the momentum? If he can, Paul, Newt Gingrich, Michele Bachmann and Rick Santorum are just along to take up the rear.

Jon Huntsman is the only other candidate with the possibility to become a player. He spoke at the Grafton County GOP dinner Monday night and won the straw poll. How many groups can he physically speak to? If they see him in person they like what he says.

However, many after the debate – no matter who they are leaning to – seem to concede an air of inevitability of a Romney GOP nomination. The Chris Christie endorsement was the icing, and is fueling speculation of Vice President Christie.

Romney's debate performance was as smooth as past ones; he looks presidential and attempts to be strong on economic issues while working to solve the problems by reaching out to the other side. He is thought to be the candidate most attractive to independent voters. This is rapidly becoming his race to lose – at least here in New Hampshire.

Fran Wendelboe is a Republican activist and former New Hampshire State Representative. She spent Tuesday night hopping from debate party to debate party in Hanover.