If Mitt Is NOT The GOP Front Runner, Why The Gang-Up?

Tonight and tomorrow night the Republicans debate each other once again before the citizens of New Hampshire vote on Tuesday.
I have but one question.
If Mitt Romney is NOT the Republican front runner, why are all of the other Republican candidates ganging up on him?
The obvious answer is that Mr. Romney is the front runner and while it is possible he will lose in the primary on Tuesday, all the others know he has the money to go on. John "F--- You" McCain does not. And, Sen. "F--- You" McCain may have to take federal campaign matching funds if by some outside chance he is the Republican nominee. And the Rev. Mike? The shoestring should end in New Hampshire on Tuesday. Fred Thompson? Well, he may finish in second place. It could be a huge boost to South Carolina, but he won't get the cash he would need to keep up with Sens. Obama and or Clinton. And Mayor Rudy? Maybe the only other candidate who could raise the kind of money to keep up with the Democrats.
Also, it does not help to sound the populist drum in a Republican debate.
Conservatives and Republican people in the know realize that the party can not nominate some one like Sen. "F--- You" McCain. He will be another Bob Dole in 1996. And, we see how well that worked out. The Rev. Mike? Iowa was the big dance and he should fall on the floor on Tuesday and be a non-factor. Fred Thompson? He would be the Republican dream but he has been a nightmare and the slow style of campaigning is going to be a drag. Mayor Rudy? Now, he has been on a tightrope from the get-go because he has made no peace with the social conservative wing of the Republican party. One has to figure that once the Rev. Mike is gone and they look to someone else to champion their cause, it will either go to Mitt Romney or Fred Thompson. Even if it is a split, it helps Mr. Romney.
Also, keep this in mind.
George W. Bush won Iowa in 2000 and suffered quite a few defeats at the hand of Sen. "F--- You" McCain. Then came South Carolina and it was off to the races for then Gov. Bush.
This campaign will not have a firewall until Super Duper Tuesday, February 5.
But, the fact that all the candidates still standing are gunning for Mitt Romney shows that he is the front runner and someone, or all, have to stop him. But, as more candidates go down, no one maybe able to stop Mr. Romney.