Florida’s Republican Primary Pits Money Against Momentum

Mitt Romney limped into Florida trying to reclaim his status as the Republican front-runner, with the state’s electorate and expensive media markets offering a possible firewall against Newt Gingrich’s surging candidacy.

Still, the first major event of the primary race leading up to the Jan. 31 vote will be a debate tonight, a forum where the former House speaker has excelled.