There has never been any doubt who would win the nomination, and social conservatives jumping from one flavor of the week to the next as each exposes themselves as a laughable national candidate only underscores that. Even if one of them were legit (which I actually think Gingrich is, except his pandering to the religious right this past year is no more than that) it would not matter because the social conservative vote is so hopelessly split between half a dozen candidates, while the party establishment and its financiers are united behind Romney. That would be an uphill battle even if the grass roots could itself unite behind one candidate, but it cannot and will not so the battle is already lost.

The only questions remaining are the same ones with which we begun:

1) Can Romney beat Obama (the answer inscreasingly looks like "yes") and

2) what the hell will his policies be if he does?

The big news here is not that Santorum finished second in IA, but that Romney finished first in a highly religious rural state despite being a city slicker former NARAL donor. He had to outspend Gingrich nearly 30 to 1 to do it, but he has deep pockets and friends with deep pockets, so that is no big deal, and, poised to cruise to victory in far friendlier NH, is pretty much unstoppable now. Since the GOP altered its primary rules so they are no longer winner take all this year, no late surge from a dark horse opponent is possible unless s/he can match Romney dollar for dollar in a couple dozen states, which none can.

Barring a scandal of epic proportions, Mitt Romney won the GOP Presidential nomination 3 January; all that remains is deciding his running mate.