If you saw the debate last night, you saw Ron Paul join forces with Mitt Romney to relentlessly attack Rick Santorum. Paul's most recent ad (above), as well, focuses on Santorum, giving Romney a free pass.
So what's he thinking? It's not as if a Santorum supporter would mosey on over to Paul. Paul has maxed out his support, and no implosion at this point will be worth a damn to him. So why so surrender his attacks on Romney to focus on Paul, both in paid media, and at last night's debat -- a tactic so transparent, that NBC's political chief Chuck Todd rhetorically asked, "Just what has Romney promised Ron Paul"?
This might have something to do with it.
Paul’s name has swirled as a possible pick that would give Romney points with the Tea Party. When asked directly what he would say if Romney made the offer, Paul tried to punt.
“I don’t know if I can answer that question, but I can say it would be an honor to be considered,” he said.
Thin gruel, perhaps, but it's getting lots of attention today. And it sure would explain Ron's sudden singular obsession with Santorum.