Romney sets pace in Republican race

Republican Mitt Romney is sensing an opening to win next Tuesday’s Iowa caucuses, and he is campaigning with increasing confidence – and a new crush of advertising – to bolster his closing argument: that he is the most electable candidate to challenge US President Barack Obama in November.

A win in the first voting on the national road to the Republican nomination would help him in the next contest on January 10, in New Hampshire, where the former Massachusetts governor’s standing is strong.