“In the closing weeks before the caucuses, we will continue to make the case that Mitt Romney is the best candidate to beat Barack Obama,” said Romney spokesperson Andrea Saul. “Mitt Romney has always said that he would campaign and compete in Iowa. He looks forward to participating in the two upcoming Iowa debates…

“I think he has to at this point… went along and played it safe, had solid debate performances and [his poll numbers] didn’t go up and didn’t go down until the Cain descent and the Gingrich ascendancy brought about a reduction in Romney’s numbers,” Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) told The Hill. “As he’s seen his numbers drop off by about as much as a third in Iowa I think he’s got to arrest that fall, he’s got to commit a lot more resources here. I think we’ve got to see a lot more of Mitt Romney in Iowa.”

If he can win in Iowa Romney will appear to be the inevitable nominee — he is likely to win New Hampshire and could score a quick knock-out blow as the otehr candidates struggle to keep up the fundraising needed to compete beyond those two states.