(Image Source: Politisite)

BY BLAKE HANSON

GOP Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney has taken the mitts off. Pundits say, he’s launched an all-out assault on fellow candidate Rick Perry -- with the soft-launch of a new web site. The Dallas Morning News has more...

“The site, careerpolitician.com, is a rehash of many of the barbs thrown Perry's way in recent debates. The Romney campaign has promoted the site, which seeks donations, in several recent web videos.”

Much of the media is hooked on one of the ads titled “Ready to Lead?”. The video features Perry in one of his ‘lesser’ moments. The Huffington Post has a clip...

PERRY: “Before...he was before the social programs..from the standpoint of he was for.”
ANCHOR: “It’s do or die for him.”
PERRY: “It’s not about whether it’s going to be this policy or that policy, we don’t need any plan.”
ANALYST: “Perry really did throw up all over himself in the debate.”

But that video has gone AWOL. The National Journal writes...

“Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney pulled an unflattering video about rival Rick Perry from the Web after cable giant CNN complained about the use of comments from its correspondents in the ad... In a statement, CNN said that the network, ‘did not consent to the use of its copyrighted material for this ad, and CNN objects to the use of its talent in any campaign ad.’”

Now, fresh off the presses? A Perry ad slamming Romney and calling him misleading. Fox News says, you better get used to the ads.

“With all of the cash on hand that the Perry campaign has and with a break now in the debate schedule, look for this ad war to really step up, and he’ll step up the attacks on governor Romney.”

So who wins in this bob-and-weave politicking? A Wall Street Journal poll says, right now, Romney is winning big. But The Washington Post’s E.J. Dionne notes, it’s still early, with lots of punches yet to be thrown.

“The Wall Street Journal/NBC News Poll gave voters a two-way choice between Romney and Perry. The result: Romney, 54 percent, Perry, 39 percent... this is one of the more significant numbers we have seen and that it’s a very good sign for Romney. Still ... early front-runners have found their leads to be ephemeral.”

For some context -- on October 20, 2007, frontrunner Rudy Giuliani led eventual GOP nomination John McCain by 13.2 points in the polls according to Real Clear Politics.