The GOP Field After New Hampshire

We look at the national debate and GOP field out of New Hampshire, as the GOP contest moves on to South Carolina and Florida.

So, it’s straight-up victory for Mitt Romney in New Hampshire.  Despite the big, unrelenting field of Republican challengers.  Despite the late-in-the-game charge that he looted vulnerable companies to make a mint. There he was last night, way up on top.  Banging away at President Obama.  Ready to claim the GOP mantle.

Two questions:  can he take his victory bus south?  Half the primary voters in New Hampshire were independents.  Will he sell in Carolina?  And, is he right on the President?  Half right?  Not right at all?

This hour, On Point:  Romney and Co. head south.
-Tom Ashbrook

Rich Lowry, syndicated columnist and editor of the National Review.

Chris Cillizza, managing editor of PostPolitics.com, which is part of the Washington Post’s web site. He writes "The Fix," a politics blog that’s been following the campaign for The Washington Post.

Susan McManus, professor of government and international affairs, University of South Florida.

Wall Street Journal "Mitt Romney claimed a comfortable victory in New Hampshire's Republican primary election Tuesday, giving him wins in the first two presidential nominating contests after his photo-finish ending in Iowa a week ago."

ABC News "With Santorum and Rick Perry already turning their attention to South Carolina ahead of next week’s vote, it’s unlikely the GOP’s 2012 will be won or lost in New Hampshire, even if Romney does, in fact, run away with the vote."

Politico "Independent voters don’t like Romney much, either. In one of the more surprising developments this season, the GOP front-runner — who is expected to win handilyin Tuesday’s primary — is sinking, Obama-style, with the unaffiliated third of the national electorate that likely will determine both candidates’ fates in November."