The Big Questions: By Mark Halperin

Illustration by Wes Duvall for TIME

Is the Republican presidential race simply a Mitt Romney vs. Rick Perry battle?

By many measures, the GOP fight does look like a one-on-one affair. Romney and Perry lead in polling, fundraising, insider backing and media attention. But both are pockmarked with flaws. Questions remain about Romney's people skills, not to mention the conservative anger over his Massachusetts health care law. Perry's debate chops have been panned, while his overrelying on his Texas record has made him appear provincial. These vulnerabilities help explain Herman Cain's Florida straw-poll win.

What about additional candidates?

The political world is on fire with talk that...

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