Here's what $2,000 Make-Up-Face Mitt Romney said today to explain his support of CIA interrogation methods:

"I support tough interrogation techniques, enhanced interrogation techniques, in circumstances where there is a ticking time bomb, a ticking bomb," Romney said. "I do not support torture, but I do support enhanced interrogation techniques to learn from terrorists what we need to learn to keep the bombs from going off."

Got that? I don't support torture--tick, tick, tick--but I support torture. Sounds presidential, doesn't he? "Bush presidential", that is. You know, reckless and idiotic. He also praised the broad powers granted law enforcement under the USA Patriot Act... because they're so, you know, praiseworthy and patriotic and powery.

Nauseous enough yet? No?

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said Friday that a White House bid by fellow Southerner Fred Thompson would make him less likely to join the race. "If Fred Thompson runs and he does well, then I think that makes it easier for me to not run," Gingrich said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. "On the other hand, just given what you've seen with (John) McCain the last few months, how can you predict?"

Let's recap: You probably won't run if trophy-wife-Fred does, unless he doesn't, in which case you might, and, oh yeah, McCain's a loser.

Republican campaign season is like playing pin the tail on the asses with your eyes open.