Union Leader: Romney Isn't 'Inevitable'

Republicans probably aren't going to get their ideal candidate in this election cycle, but that doesn't mean that Mitt Romney's steady-but-less-than-inspiring candidacy is destined to win the nomination. So argues Andrew Cline, the New Hampshire Union Leader editorial page editor behind today's surprise endorsement of Newt Gingrich, reports Politico. Calling Romney a "very play-it-safe candidate" who would be "perfect for the 19th century," Cline today backed up his paper's decision, saying, "We need a candidate that is bold in his leadership." Cline also denied that the Union Leader was attempting to become a kingmaker, saying, "We’re not trying to attach our name to a winner." Elsewhere on your Sunday dial, as per Politico:

• Herman Cain on Gingrich's immigration policy: “I’m not going where Newt Gingrich is. The way I would deal with those that are already here: Empower the states to deal with the illegals that are already here—not some big grandiose, national one-size-fits-all."
• Grover Norquist on the super committee's failure: "Because they couldn’t come up with a list, it goes to a sequester. That's not a failure. That was option 2."
• Chuck Schumer on a big budget deal: "We have a good chance of actually getting the big package, big deficit reduction in 2012. The knives are over our heads. The Bush tax cuts expire in 2013. Sequestration goes into effect in 2013."
• Pat Toomey on extending the payroll tax cut: "I think that probably some package of that with other features might very well pass."

(More Sunday morning talk shows stories.)