But for that to happen, it is vital that Rubio follows up his impressive Iowa performance with a solid showing on Tuesday. No, he doesn’t have to win New Hampshire, but he does have to win his lane. And if Jeb, Kasich, or Christie somehow finishes ahead of him in the Granite state—and anything can happen there (as history has shown us)—that ruins the whole thing. If nothing else, it prolongs the campaign and postpones the moment whereby these more mainstream conservative voters can finally settle on a favored candidate.