It starts dead even. This begins very close, perhaps with the governor up a notch.

She has the most momentum than any candidate other than Governor Bush.

The press secretary who starts to narrow down or close the president's options because he answers delicate negotiating questions no longer serves the president.

a thankless job. . . . Always a flak-catching job.

My advice to the tea party freshmen: Slow the galloping horses to a trot. Big government was built over decades; it can't be dismantled in a year, especially when Democrats control the White House.

If you allow those who are the most vocal and most antagonistic to get a meeting with the president for fear that publicity will hurt you if you don't, you're creating incentives for your critics to become even more antagonistic and more vocal. Then, you're forever stuck in: Will you or won't you meet? You'll no longer lead. You'll just wrestle with meetings.