"It's not personal, Sonny. It's strictly business." ~ Al Pacino, "The Godfather"

Mitt Romney has shown similar ruthlessness in disposing of his connection with scandal-embroiled Sen. Larry Craig.

"Once again," Pat Buchanan quoted Romney as saying, "we've found people in Washington have not lived up to the level of respect and dignity that we would expect for somebody that gets elected to a position of high influence. Very disappointing. (Craig is) no longer associated with my campaign."

Romney broke a pretty significant bond. As PJB detailed: "Up to this week, Craig was one of only two senators to have come out for Mitt Romney. He headed up the Romney campaign in Idaho. He vouched for Mitt in Congress and the country."

The former Bay State governor thus seems like an anti-George Bush in terms of standing by his lieutenants. Dubya stuck up for ex-Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. "Throughout Gonzales' sometimes rocky tenure, Bush had defended him, accusing his detractors of playing politics," ABC News reported.

Which is the better policy, staying loyal to a supporter or dismissing them when they misstep? Romney will find out as the primaries progress.

The candidate and his Christian supporters have been working hard to overcome Evangelical antipathy toward the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, whose 19th-century founder, Joseph Smith, said he revised parts of the Bible to correct it.

"Governor Romney believes both science and faith can help inform us about the origins of life in this world."

Top Romney advisers insisted yesterday that their candidate's statements on abortion this month were consistent with each other. They say Romney supports a two-step process in which states get authority over abortion after Roe v. Wade is overturned, followed eventually by a constitutional amendment that bans most abortions.

Mr. Romney's code, deciphered, meant, "I, like you, hope to reclassify the most commonly used forms of contraceptives as abortions." In fact, he told the crowd, he already had some practice redefining contraception: "I vetoed a so-called emergency contraception bill that cave young girls abortive drugs without prescription or parental consent."

Big development on gay marriage in Massachusetts:

Today, in response to a Mitt Romney-backed lawsuit, the Supreme Judicial Court ruled that it could not make the state legislature consider an anti-gay marriage amendment. Legislators had twice postponed considering the amendment.

"While the seven-member SJC rebuked lawmakers in today's decision for using a procedural maneuver to avoid a vote," the Boston Globe reported, "the court acknowledged that it could not legally intervene."

Romney's term as governor ends Jan. 4. Will Mitt press the issue further ... or will he have other plans?

A former venture capitalist who headed the 2002 Winter Olympics and served one term as Massachusetts governor from 2003 to 2007, Romney is the wealthiest of all the candidates, Democrats and Republicans. His assets are estimated at $190 million to $250 million.

Later, speaking with reporters, Romney said he would likely accept the presidential salary of $400,000 annually but donate the money. While governor, Romney declined his $135,000 annual salary.

Mitt Romney seemed comfortable as a group of gay Republicans quizzed him over breakfast one morning in 2002. Running for governor of Massachusetts, he was at a gay bar in Boston to court members of Log Cabin Republicans.

Mr. Romney explained to the group that his perspective on gay rights had been largely shaped by his experience in the private sector, where, he said, discrimination was frowned upon.

Former U.S. Rep. Bob Beauprez of Colorado endorsed fellow Republican Mitt Romney for president Wednesday. Beauprez, in a mass e-mail, said Romney had the right "political philosophy" as well as the experience and leadership skills necessary to be president.

New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, whose defection from the Republican Party might signal a presidential run, has been the subject of press coverage regarding politician-CEOs, like President Bush. Some politicians emphasize it more than others.

It appears that Mitt Romney is de-emphasizing his time at Bain Capital, instead focusing on social issues and making sure he sounds suitably right-wing. That's probably a good idea, given that Ted Kennedy made Mitt look heartless during the 1994 Senate race.

Will Mitt Romney pick Jeb Bush as his presidential running mate in 2008? The Boston Herald seems to think so. As reporter Kimberly Atkins writes,

"'There has been substantive talk between the two of them' about the possibility of the president's younger brother running for vice president if Romney wins the nomination, one GOP source with knowledge of the Oct. 19 meeting (between Romney and Bush in Florida) told the Herald,"

To my mind, this move, and only this move, would ensure a Republican hold on the presidency. John McCain's bipartisanship, and Rudy Giuliani's pro-choice views, would mean lukewarm party support. Jeb Bush would be a dream choice for Mitt: a dedicated pro-lifer, a magnet for Southern votes, a man who can speak to "values voters."

A Mitt-Jeb ticket would keep the White House closed to Democrats for four more years. No one else comes close.

Standing up on your soapbox and giving a speech is a necessary part of politics. But so is exchanging your opinions with opponents, and this is where Mitt Romney, Hillary Clinton and John Edwards could pick up a crucial advantage in the 2008 presidential race.

All three candidates have significant debating experience. Mitt is a veteran of two bruising series of debates in Massachusetts – one from his failed 1994 Senate run against Ted Kennedy, the other in his successful 2002 gubernatorial campaign. Hillary outlasted Rick Lazio in the 2000 New York Senate race. And Edwards got national exposure when he debated Vice President Dick Cheney in 2004.

OK, I'm not arguing that these debates were a reprise of Lincoln-Douglas, Kennedy-Nixon, or even ... sigh ... Bush-Gore. Mitt's liberal stance in 1994 may hurt his chances for 2008, Hillary faced an opponent of weaker abilities than Rudy Giuliani, and Edwards' performance against Cheney sounded akin to the New York Yankees' struggles against the Boston Red Sox that year.

Still, each candidate emerged from these experiences familiar with what it's like to defend their views and denounce those of their opponents. That's an invaluable skill for anyone who wants to win a presidential campaign.

Mitt Romney was quick to address the YouTube video buzzing around the blogosphere of his 1994 Senate debate with Ted Kennedy. This is a clear sign that Mitt Romney has surrounded himself with people who know how to play the internet game, and Romney will not let himself be "Macaca'd" like George Allen was... David All is clearly impressed.

A recent Rasmussen poll has Mitt Romney ahead in New Hampshire. Romney is receiving support from 26% of those polls and the trio of Rudy Giuliani, John McCain and Fred Thompson receive about 17% each.

A couple of weeks ago, I noted that Romney is doing well in the early primary states. Momentum is a wonderful partner. As Romney wins, the money will flow in. Furthermore, it seems that the real loser will be Rudy. If he can't win in the east, it may effect his standings nationally.

Fred Thompson will do well in the South and Rudy may find himself riding the McCain Express down to the bottom of the pack. Romney may change his positions for the occasion but it is working. People like what he is saying ....now.

This could wind up being a race between Thompson and Romney.

Divisiveness over gay rights, once exploited by Karl Rove and company in 2004, could be turning into harmony soon.

One symbol of this harmony may be country music. Last Valentine's Day, the Dallas Morning News reported on "Cowboys Are Frequently Secretly Fond of Each Other," a pro-gay-rights song by country star Willie Nelson. The Morning News quoted Alan Pierce, the co-owner of a Texas gay country bar: "It acknowledges it as a reality in life. It could help straight America acknowledge this."

Just as the idea of gay marriage has faced opposition through state bans, so did a previous pro-gay country song, Garth Brooks' "We Shall be Free," meet with disapproval.

"Though it didn't focus exclusively on gays, the tune stirred some controversy; some radio stations across the country wouldn't play it," the Morning News reported. "'We Shall be Free' peaked at No. 12 on Billboard's country singles chart, ending a string of Top 10 hits for Mr. Brooks."

Thanks to the efforts of stars like Garth and Willie, Republican candidates like Mitt Romney may have to find other issues to manipulate if they want to get elected.

• Romney 21
• Giuliani 17
• Brownback 15
• Gingrich 14
• McCain 12

• Giuliani 34
• Gingrich 30
• Romney 30