In today’s print version of the Post, Chris Cillizza mentions GOP gubernatorial candidates Chris Christie and Bob McDonnell as two figures with the most influence over the party’s message, and says that McDonnell has “an even money (or better) chance of taking the seat back for Republicans.” In New Jersey, he concludes, “the more we look at the New Jersey gubernatorial race, the more convinced we become that Christie, a former U.S. Attorney, is going to beat Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine.”

I don’t disagree with the assessment — yes, it’s early, Virginia should be a close race, and Corzine could cure cancer or land a plane on the Hudson or something — I just find it interesting how quickly Republican victories are turning into conventional wisdom inside the Beltway. Remember all those stories about how damaged the party’s “brand” was, and how doomed their candidates were for the next forty years?