Pending California, Romney Set to Make the Most of Not Much

Mitt Romney is expected to speak shortly. Notably, he is doing so before California's results come in. Delegates are awarded proportionally there, but Romney could very much use a win. This has not been a very good night for Romney, since he was blocked out of contention across the South by Mike Huckabee. But it has not been nearly as disastrous as some had forecasted, since McCain's victories (outside of Oklahoma, perhaps) might be limited to blue states -- furthring the contention of some on the right that he is the favorite candidate of moderate and liberal Republicans only. If Romney can win California, he can make the case compellingly that three candidates were all winners tonight on the G.O.P. side. Without a California win, he will still press on, but right now he lacks a marquee Super Tuesday victory, having so far only won Massachusetts and Utah.