Richelieu at the Campaign Standard on Rudy’s secret plan:

Team Rudy is no collection of fools; there is a crafty plan lurking behind this expectations house of mirrors.
Step One: Down-play Iowa and New Hampshire with lots of mumbo jumbo about the big states and the vast canvas of national politics.
Step Two: Pump mail, radio and other quiet activity into Iowa and New Hampshire by the freight car load. Quietly match Romney field staff size in Iowa, but hold TV for late since it is only thing press really notices.
Step Three: Act shocked and amazed when Rudy soars over all expectations to a stunning and amazing third place finish in Iowa with 17 percent of the vote (or even get lucky and hit second place), while Mitt Romney “loses” Iowa by only winning with 38 percent to Mike Huckabee’s stunning 32 percent. Then ride that “upset” bounce (the bounce you officially don’t believe in) into New Hampshire on breathless press coverage and win another huge and amazing upset, beating a wounded Romney and McCain, among the most pro-choice and moderate-friendly GOP primary states. Run the table thereafter to win the nomination, clinching it on February 5