It's currently ZERO degrees in Chicago, which is why I couldn't be happier to be hopping on a plane later this morning and heading off to sunnier climes in Florida - currently 64 degrees heading up to a high of 81 - for tonight's debate in Boca Raton. Though pundits have made a habit of employing the "do or die" cliche this year, Chuck Todd's take on the importance of tonight's debate is spot on, as usual.

In many ways the earlier primaries this year have taken on the aura of the NFL Playoffs, with each successive contest taking on more importance than the last. All the candidates have faced their do or die contests this year: Huck in Iowa, McCain in New Hampshire, Romney in Michigan, Thompson in South Carolina, and now Rudy faces his in Florida on Tuesday.

Clearly, Thompson's exit from the race this week makes Rudy's test that much more difficult, with one less candidate to split the conservative vote. So we'll have to wait and see what happens as Rudy prepares to make what could be his last stand - starting with tonight.