As the media, including the political blogosphere, buzzes with stories about Newt Gingrich surging in the South Carolina polls ahead of today's primary vote, I find myself beginning to tune out. Romney will be the Republican nominee. It is inevitable. The only question is how long it will take.

Gingrich has gained some momentum as the favored non-Romney candidate of the moment, but that will pass. He is not a serious candidate who could compete in the general election, and establishment Republicans know this. A Gingrich win in South Carolina would slow Romney down a bit, but it will not change the fact that he will be the eventual nominee.

Consider the remaining options for Republican voters as we leave South Carolina behind. Despite his many flaws, Romney is the only remotely serious candidate.

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