Say goodbye to Mitt Romney's soaring rhetoric about religious freedom and tolerance - that sure didn't last long, eh? - and say hello to an attack ad against Mike Huckabee on illegal immigration (via Jon Martin):

Huckabee's camp responded, but more interesting was the pile on by John McCain, who'd like nothing more than to let Iowans - but even more importantly, voters in New Hampshire - know that Romney's gone negative:

"News that Mitt Romney will launch a new attack ad tomorrow is another move by a campaign that continues to insult Iowa voters. Iowa families should not be subjected to this negative style of campaigning, especially during the holiday season.

"Governor Romney has flip-flopped on several major issues that voters care about. It's particularly amazing that Governor Romney would attack anyone on immigration when he's on his third position. John McCain has run an honorable campaign that all Iowans can be proud of. I call on Governor Romney to drop his plans for this negative attack and follow John McCain's lead. Candidates need to raise the level of the debate, not lower it."

The question is whether this tactic by Romney is going to help right the ship or cause it to sink faster. I guess we'll know soon enough.