A political tip sheet for the rest of us

POLL TRACKER: A pre-debate poll by CNN/Time/ORC International before Arizona's Feb. 28 presidential primary shows Romney and Santorum in a dead heat among likely Republican voters in the state. According to the survey released Tuesday, 36 percent of those likely to vote say they are backing Romney and 32 percent say they are behind Santorum. Gingrich was third with 18 percent support, and Paul in last place with 6 percent. The telephone survey of 467 registered Republicans who are likely to vote in the primary was conducted Feb. 17-20 and has a margin of error of 4.5 percentage points.

HE SAID WHAT?

— "I have to do a little running to get rid of that extra Paczki." — Romney, referring to the sugary, pre-Lenten Polish pastries he'd apparently eaten.

—"Mr. President." — Unidentified questioner addressing Romney at town-hall event in Shelby, Mich.

—"Back in 2008, the American people, in a time of crisis, went for a rock star that they believed could solve their problems."— Santorum, on President Barack Obama.

—"This is a wild roller coaster. ... This has really, truly been the wildest nominating process I can remember." — Gingrich, on CBS "This Morning."