the "nomie, it winnows out, takes out, some of the wacker candidates, so they've got to really be dernd but look, mitt romney is the punitive frontrunner. he's going to try and stay above the fray and he has a big problem and it isn't on that stage. his big problem is named rick perry who is apparently jumping in on saturday, is going to step on the story of the debate and the ames poll. i think romney needs to be very worried about perry. will romney or some of the other candidates take jabs at perry. jon, perry's theme song is taken from that sultry singer peggy lee, is that all there is. he's referring to the other candidate, is that all there is. they have to respond. jon: it's going to be interesting to watch. i know our chatters are already on there, advocating their favorites. larry sabato from the university of virginia, thanks. >> thanks jon. jon: the candidates take the stage to make their case in iowa tonight.