ROMNEY HAS LEAD, BUT CAN HE WRAP AZ?

posted by Michael Chihak

Mitt Romney's Mormon faith could well pay dividends for him in the Arizona Republican presidential primary Feb. 28. That same day, the Michigan GOP holds its primary, and Romney's roots -- he was raised there -- should help.

Does that mean he now has a lock on the nomination? Not by the reckoning of many, including his three still stubbornly standing opponents -- Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul and Rick Santorum.

They all craft themselves as the conservative answer to Romney, and in Arizona, that could speak to Republicans.

What the setup likely means is a no-holds-barred debate on national television next week among the four Republicans. The debate will be in Mesa the evening of Feb. 22 and be televised on CNN.

Look for Gingrich, Paul and Santorum to come after Romney like never before. Each wants to knock him from the frontrunner perch.

On Friday's Arizona Week, we will take a look at the candidates and the issues, handicapping both the debate and the primary.