Andy, Lisa, and Mark, the thing we should remember about Rudy’s strategy is that he tried something different. He wanted to compete in NH, and spent a lot of money there on TV. It just got him nothing, so he pulled out and decamped down to Florida–his only option (if he had stayed in the early states, his campaign might be over by now).

As for New York following the media, Andy, I don’t think that entirely captures it. Momentum in all places, not just New York, comes from 1) the media attention a winning candidate gets; 2) the way winning legitimizes a candidate with voters; 3) the fact that, all things being equal, voters like being with the winner.

I think momentum is a real factor in this race, even if we’ve had no one winning consecutive contested states. McCain wouldn’t be winning in Rudy’s backyard without the big national bump he got with his win in New Hampshire. If he wins Florida, those numbers will hold up, or go higher, which is why the next week of this race is so important.