Top McCain 2008 presidential campaign aide Steve Schmidt says that if Newt Gingrich wins Florida, establishment Republicans are going to lose it because they don't think he can beat Obama. Via Heather at Crooks & Liars:
SCHMIDT: Look, I think, not only are we not moving towards a coalescing of support by the Republican establishment for Newt Gingrich, we're probably moving toward the declaration of war on Newt Gingrich by the Republican establishment. And if Newt Gingrich is able to win the Florida primary, you will see a panic and a meltdown of the Republican establishment that is beyond my ability to articulate in the English language.C&L has video of Schmidt's comments as well.
People will go crazy and you will have this five week period until the Super Tuesday states which is going to be as unpredictable, tumultuous as any period in modern American politics. It will be a remarkable thing to watch should that happen in Florida.
