michael smerconish and contributor steve days is a conservative show host endorsing newt gingrich and a senior rrcht for yahoo. i will start with you. you have interesting thoughts as so many others have said. why is iowa so important. you say it's the independents that count more than the folk who is caucus tonight. >> 2012 is a race where independents call the shot and no disto iowa voters. it's not a particular state, but that component of the electorate. 2.5 million voters have left the republican and democratic party since the' 08 cycle and the only demographic growing are independents. they are up for grabs. mitt romney is say winner regardless of who wins, but the independents hold the cards in 2012. >> there is no love lost between you and mitt romney. when you joined us, you are credited with keeping him from