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For every action, there's an opposite and equal reaction. And that's true inside the Republican Party with Mitt Romney inching closer and closer to a third presidential bid. (Romney isn't just talking about running; he's making a ton of calls, even to former bitter '08 rival John McCain.) While diehard Romney supporters are giddy about another White House run -- with one BOLDY claiming that ISIS wouldn't exist and Putin would be cowed if Romney had won in '12 (really?) -- other parts of the party aren't so sure. Some Republicans are polite. "He got defined early, after he got through the nomination process, and they spent a lot of money to define him," Sen. John Thune (R-SD) tells the New York Times' Jonathan Martin. "And those issues are still there. That doesn't change, and that narrative is still out there." Others aren't as nice. "You can say what you will about Jeb, but at least he can effectively communicate about policies that are going to have a material impact on people's lives. Romney has proven he's incapable of that," GOP strategist Jim Dyke also tells the Times. Some are placing their bets with Jeb Bush. "I have great affection for Mitt Romney and his wife," GOP mega-donor Mel Sembler said, per the Tampa Bay Times. "They ran two very strong campaigns and I supported both of them. We wish him good luck, but I'm supporting my friend of many years, Jeb Bush." And others can't forgive him for Romneycare becoming the basis for Obamacare. "It isn't just because we lost and just because our base didn't show up," GOP donor Randy Kendrick tells the Daily Caller. "[I]t's because he couldn't fight against the primary thing that motivates me and motivates millions of other Republicans: Obamacare."

Were the nice things Romney was hearing from Republicans since '12 really sincere?

Now NBC's Perry Bacon has other 2012 Romney backers saying they're taking a wait-and-see approach. "I could certainly see myself doing that [backing Romney again]. But at this time, I'm uncommitted. We don't know who the field is yet," said Brian Kennedy, who was the chair of Romney's 2012 Iowa campaign. Yet given the other negative comments above, you do have to wonder if some of the positive feedback Romney has been getting since the 2012 campaign was simply Republicans saying nice things to the defeated GOP presidential nominee -- rather than actually BELIEVING it. Was he mistaking hearing nice things for actual support? This is going to be the real test for Romney over the next few weeks: How honest is the feedback, and just how real is the groundswell that many of his close aides claim is there for him? And careful of the early polling -- of course, the former nominee will be at the top. But how does he go anywhere but down as others get in? And how will he handle not being the polling frontrunner when that time inevitably comes?

Romney to speak at RNC confab on Friday

Nevertheless, it appears that Romney is marching closer and closer to a run. As NBC News reported yesterday, Romney is now slated to speak on Friday at the Republican National Committee's winter meeting in San Diego. These will be Romney's FIRST public comments since the word came out late last week that he was considering another presidential bid. Also speaking at the RNC winter meeting are Ben Carson and Scott Walker.

Rand on the attack

Here is how Rand Paul appears to be defining his GOP presidential opposition, and how he's defining his own potential candidacy, according to an interview he did with Politico. Rand on Jeb: "He's been a proponent of Common Core, a proponent probably of a much bigger government - a Big Government Republican who believes more things should be occurring in Washington rather than decentralization." On Mitt: "I think he could have been a good leader of the country. But I think many people are going to say, 'He's had his chance.'" And Rand on what the GOP needs in 2016: "You need a candidate who reaches out to new constituencies and is able to bring new people into the party. Because if we do the same old, same old candidates, we are going to get the same old result." As we mentioned yesterday, Romney and Bush (and maybe Christie) in the 2016 GOP field is VERY GOOD news for Rand Paul and Scott Walker, because it divides up the GOP establishment vote and donor base and allows them to present themselves as the new generation of the Republican Party. And the more time Romney and Bush (and maybe Christie) spend attacking each other, is less time they spend attacking Paul or Walker. By the way, Paul spends the day in New Hampshire, and he heads to Nevada later in the week.

Walker and Christie sure didn't sound like your typical governors giving a "State of the State" address

Speaking of Walker, his "State of the State" address in Wisconsin last night certainly had some national -- and international -- themes to it. "Last week, innocent people were targeted in France by terrorists," Walker said. "These cowards are not symbols of confidence. They are overwhelmed by fear. They are afraid of freedom." More Walker: "Tonight, we must stand together Democrat and Republican and denounce those who wish to threaten freedom anywhere in this world. We need to proclaim that an attack against freedom-loving people anywhere is an attack against us all. And we will not allow it. When we take a stand, we will make it easier to work for freedom and prosperity right here in Wisconsin." You don't include international events in a State of the State unless well, you know. Meanwhile, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's "State of the State" also looked well beyond New Jersey, NBC's Andrew Rafferty writes. "We are a nation beset by anxiety, and it's understandable. Economic growth is low by post-war recovery standards. America's leadership in the world is called into question because of a pattern of indecision and inconsistency."

Potential 2016 campaigns staffing up

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Here Comes the Republican Opposition to Mitt Romney