Republicans seeking an alternative to Mitt Romney to lead them into the 2012 election battle prayed that Tim Pawlenty might shine in the first serious debate of the GOP nomination contest.
Instead, Sarah Palin's stunt double Michele Bachmann stole the show.
The result is that Mr. Romney, the former Massachusetts governor and 2008 GOP contender, has emerged from Monday's confrontation in New Hampshire an even more daunting front-runner in the race to take on Barack Obama.
"Romney is still the guy with the bull's eye on him," offered Steffen Schmidt, a political science professor at Iowa State University. "The people who put money on Romney said [after the debate] 'Okay. That was a smart move. Now we can now put a little more money on him.' "
The question now is not whether any of the other declared candidates can likely beat Mr. Romney. Rather, it is whether anyone else still pondering a run at the nomination can assume the Anybody-But-Mitt mantle and win.
Former Utah governor Jon Huntsman revealed Tuesday that he will formally join the contest next week in the shadow of the Statue of Liberty, on the spot where Ronald Reagan kicked off his 1980 bid for the White House.
But it is hard to picture Mr. Huntsman emerging as the anti-Romney, given their similarities. They share a religion (Mormonism), a reputation (as political moderates) and an income bracket (among the highest). They even look alike. Mr. Huntsman may ultimately have his sights on 2016.
Texas Governor Rick Perry, on the other hand, would offer a stark and credible contrast to Mr. Romney. He has moved to enhance his national profile in recent days, filling in for now non-candidate Donald Trump as the featured speaker at a Republican dinner in New York on Tuesday.
But Mr. Perry's strident social conservatism may make him too hot to handle. On Sunday, he headlined an anti-abortion rally in Los Angeles, attacking Mr. Obama's reversal of a Bush-era policy that banned U.S. aid to organizations that provide family planning services in developing countries.
"With the stroke of a pen, abortion essentially became a U.S. foreign export," Mr. Perry told the crowd made up largely of Hispanic voters, a traditionally Democratic constituency.
Mr. Perry has also come under fire for organizing an Aug. 6 Christian Day of Prayer in Houston. The event adheres to the "statement of faith" of the American Family Association, according to which non-Christians face eternal damnation.
As for Ms. Palin, the former Alaska governor and 2008 vice-presidential candidate, the longer she waits to declare her intentions, the more she risks losing her place in Republican hearts to Ms. Bachmann.
The 55-year-old Minnesota congresswoman not only shares Ms. Palin's political views, she bears an uncanny physical resemblance to her. Both women have given birth to five children.
Ms. Bachmann was the audience favourite on Monday night, launching the zinger: "I want to announce tonight, President Obama is a one-term president."
But besides the fact that only one sitting member of the House of Representatives has ever won the White House, Ms. Bachmann is likely even less electable nationally than Ms. Palin.
Indeed, the political eccentrics outnumbered the serious candidates five-to-two in Monday's debate. Libertarian Texas Congressman Ron Paul is still the amiable oddball he was in 2008. Former Pennsylvania senator Rick Santorum, the take-no-prisoners anti-abortion activist, was less likeable.
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich looked like the pot calling the kettle black by chastising his party for being too "radical" in proposing unpopular Medicare reforms. Party stalwarts would rather he had delivered the advice in private. But Newt being Newt could not resist giving a lecture.
Georgia businessman Herman Cain ultimately showed why he is not ready for prime time. Asked to explain why he said he would be "uncomfortable" putting a Muslim in his cabinet, he offered: "I was thinking about the ones that are trying to kill us."
Next to this bunch, Mr. Pawlenty should have shone. He has a solid record as a former two-term governor of Minnesota and an ability to appeal to most wings of the party. If he lacks in charisma, he offers competence.
Mr. Pawlenty had a chance to put the GOP front-runner on the spot by repeating his criticism of "Obamneycare" - his clever contraction meant to underscore the similarities between Mr. Obama's health reform law and the legislation Mr. Romney passed in Massachusetts.
Instead, Mr. Pawlenty recoiled, like a deer in the headlights.
As one Republican operative told the National Journal, a must-read for Beltway insiders: "Who is going to write a cheque to the guy who pulls his punches?"
Mr. Romney, on the other hand, looks more bankable by the day.
Konrad Yakabuski