Ben Smith unpacks a 2004 book by a Giuliani senior aide that paints the boss as a serial centrist who feels "contempt" for his party's conservative fringe. Our favorite passage:

Avlon's chapter on Giuliani captures the former mayor's disdain for partisanship by way of a famous image — of Giuliani dressed as a woman at a New York City benefit. Avlon recalls the words that went with the scene.  "When actress Julie Andrews asked him onstage if he now better understood the challenge she faced every night in 'Victor Victoria' — 'playing a woman pretending to be a man pretending to be a woman' — Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani replied that she obviously hadn't seen his act: 'a Democrat pretending to be a Republican pretending to be a Democrat.'"

He pretends to be a woman AND a Republican! Is there anything Rudy can't do? (POLITICO)

In the wake of Tuesday's GOP debate, Giuliani and Romney ignore their rivals and go mano-a-mano. (AP)

The sorry state of GOP field organizations in Iowa and New Hampshire is a metaphor for the sorry state of the GOP. Or is that a synecdoche? (POLITICO)

How McCain's health care plan, released later today, differs from his opponents' plans. Hint: it has nothing to do with Iraq. (THE WALL STREET JOURNAL)

An evangelical supporter argues that his brethren unite around Romney, lest they nominate a crossdressing Democrat. He does not mention Mitt's underwear. (NYTIMES)

Inside the powerful Ron Paul machine. (USA TODAY)

Run, Al, Run! Because everyone loved you so much last time. (NYTIMES)

Wrapping up Hillary Clinton's "Rebuilding the Road to the Middle Class" tour through Iowa. Here's why the race is still wide open there:

Iowa caucus-goers mull their decisions to the fullest extent time allows... One woman expressed mild shock when I told her that I had run into several people at the rally who had "definitely" decided to support someone — Clinton or Obama. "That's irresponsible!" she scolded. (TIME)

Andrew Sullivan has definitely decided NOT to support someone. (THE ATLANTIC)

Bill Richardson makes his case in the Hawkeye State. His secret weapon: baseball cards! On second thought, maybe not. (NYTIMES, SLATE)

More from the "What's Wrong with Barack Obama" Department: "get over yourself," says Steven Stark of the Boston Phoenix; "get hot," says the Washington Post's David Ignatius.  We also think you should, like, avoid spread-collar dress shirts as they accentuate your elongated face.

Candidate's kids hit the trail. (USA TODAY)

Isn't America colorful? (AP)