Mitt Romney’s victory in New Hampshire was every bit as significant as it appeared. History is now on Romney’s side: Every candidate who has won the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary has captured his party’s presidential nomination.

So Romney goes into South Carolina for its January 21 primary as a strong frontrunner. Sure, the Republican race isn’t over.  But where’s the conservative “alternative” to Romney who seemed likely to emerge in New Hampshire? A credible challenger to Romney in a two-candidate race doesn’t exist. And you can’t beat somebody with nobody.