The Republican race has seemed momentum-less because there hasn’t yet been a winner of consecutive contests. But momentum is real. If you look at McCain’s national numbers, they shot up to the upper 20′s or low 30′s after his win in New Hampshire. In the past, I’ve discounted national polls, but we’re almost reaching the point where they will be significant. If McCain wins South Carolina and Florida, he will have at least his current 10-point lead in the national polls and probably more. That will matter when a week after Florida 21 states hold their contests, and no one will have the time to camp out in any one of them. A candidate’s national standing will then be very important.