Extreme Mortman notes that the endorsement of the Manchester Union Leader has not exactly matched up perfectly with the ultimate winner of the New Hampshire GOP primary, or the ultimate winner of the presidency. They endorsed Reagan in 1980, and Buchanan in 1996.

A New Hampshire political consultant told me earlier this year that the real advantage in winning the endorsement is A) establishing or reaffirming conservative bona fides and B) the editorial page will then focus its ire at the candidates it didn’t endorse. Chances are, Romney, Giuliani and the others will probably get a few tough editorials between now and Primary Day.