Weigel

Opening Act: President Paul

Republican presidential candidate Texas Rep. Ron Paul participates in a GOP presidential debate in Sioux City, Iowa, Thursday, December 15, 2011. AFP PHOTO / Pool / Eric Gay (Photo credit should read ERIC GAY/AFP/Getty Images) Photo by ERIC GAY/AFP/Getty Images

My story from last night: What would happen if Ron Paul won Iowa?

Jonathan Martin went after the same subject, taking the “angry quotes from dismissive Republicans” route.

“Mortal,” said Doug Gross, a leading Republican lawyer and Branstad adviser, when asked how severe the wound of a Paul win would be.

“I think a Paul win would be devastating for the state of Iowa and the caucus process,” added Sam Clovis, an influential talk radio host in Northwest Iowa who endorsed Rick Santorum Monday.

Meanwhile: Hey, Democrats! Occupy the Iowa caucuses!