Tonight’s debate was largely uneventful, but if there was one moment that epitomized the current state of the race, it came during a segment when candidates could choose to ask a question of any one of their opponents. Mitt Romney directed a softball question to Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., about how she would get the economy going again. The move demonstrated that Romney is highly confident that he is in the driver’s seat to win the Republican nomination and doesn’t see anybody as a real threat. And after another smooth debate performance, Romney has very good reason to be confident.

As regular readers know, I’ve never shied away from criticizing Romney. His record, particularly on health care, is atrocious from a conservative perspective and his numerous policy reversals make it hard to believe anything he says. But it’s undeniable that he’s does his homework and is mostly unflappable during these debates. His outmatched rivals have either been unwilling or unable to rattle him.