THE CONTEST – AT 8:49 A.M. ET:  This is a "waiting" week in American politics.  The conventional wisdom is that the Republican race for president has become very fluid, given that the crown seems to have fallen off Rick Perry's head, after only a month of wear.  I think he can get a refund at Neiman-Marcus in Dallas.

And yet Romney, the immediate beneficiary of Perry's near-death experience in the debates, is not the recipient of any renewed love.  Herman Cain's victory in the Florida straw poll proved that – probably the first time in history that a former pizza executive defeated two governors. 

The "waiting" is now for Chris Christie, governor of New Jersey and favorite of the budget cutters.  As we've said, if Christie gets in it will throw the GOP race wide open...at least for a time.  Christie, like Perry, will have to prove himself in the GOP debates coming up.  And then attention may well turn to Sarah Palin, who appears to be delaying her decision.  It's been pointed out that Bill Clinton didn't get into the 1992 race until October of the previous year.  Things move more rapidly today, though.  Look for a possible Christie announcement, one way or the other,  

On the Democratic side, Obama is moving to solidify and energize his base, understanding that elections are about turnout.  The winner will not be the best or most popular candidate, but the candidate who moves enough voters to the polls.  Obama has clearly lost the stature he had at the start of his administration, having shown a remarkable ability to get things wrong, but he retains some affection, especially from his political base.  The main thrust of his campaign seems to be that he's the devil we know, and better than the devilish alternative.  Obama is already claiming that a Republican president would ruin America.  Funny, I thought Obama had already accomplished that.

Now, what if Christie gets into the race, and does a Perry?  Republicans are clearly unhappy with their choices.  And we wonder whether, through the work of conservative journalists, the spotlight might suddenly focus on a non-candidate who will be encouraged to get into the race and save the party.  Stranger things have happened.  Stand by.

September 26, 2011