Even as the cable-news types focus on—and swoon over—the Democratic Party primary duel as if it’s the only race for the White House, observers would do well to remember that just because the GOP race is more wide-open it doesn’t mean a viable candidate won’t emerge.

Right now, as Sen. Clinton and Sen. Obama fight a two-way battle, the Republicans have a four- or even five-way race: Sen. McCain and Gov. Huckabee have already taken contests in New Hampshire and Iowa, respectively. Gov. Romney has taken second twice, won the under-reported Wyoming caucuses and could win Michigan. Sen. Thompson is taking aim at South Carolina, and Mayor Giuliani is doing the same in Florida. If each of them wins a primary or caucus, especially if Obama or Clinton pull away from the other, one gets the sense that the media’s consensus conclusion will be “The GOP is in disarray and can’t decide on a nominee.”

But as George Will reminds us, Candidate Bill Clinton “lost to four different competitors: Tom Harkin, Bob Kerrey, Paul Tsongas and Jerry Brown” and lost seven of the first nine primaries/caucuses on his way to the nomination—and the White House—in 1992.

In other words, division in February can turn into victory in November.

Have PoliticalMavens.com delivered to your inbox in a daily digest by clicking here