No one will admit it, but according to this piece in The Globe, a secret coalition of influential conservatives is unhappy with having a field of Republican candidates for 2008. Rather than let the choice for frontrunner play out in the political marketplace, they want power-brokers to agree on a single candidate and then throw everything behind him.

This was the strategy that pushed McCain out of the race in 2000 and arguably got us to where we are today. It may be wishful thinking but I believe people are less likely to be manipulated this time around.