Mitt Romney and Ron Paul rarely acknowledge each other in the Republican presidential race, focusing their attention and attacks on rivals Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum instead.
That curious detente is being tested in Maine's caucuses this week, where Romney's reputation as a political shape shifter is going head-to-head with Paul's consistent libertarian views.
The caucuses began Feb. 4 and will continue through today, when the state party will announce the results of the nonbinding presidential straw poll.
Paul has campaigned hard in the state, and Romney has taken steps to shore up his position there to offset a potentially embarrassing loss after defeats in Missouri, Colorado and Minnesota.
Romney unexpectedly added two caucus appearances to his schedule this morning, an indication that the campaign is concerned about the potential of another defeat in a low-turnout affair.
Paul, meanwhile, has staked his candidacy on winning at least a handful of smaller caucus states.
Santorum, who won the three contests earlier in the week, has not competed actively in Maine, nor has Gingrich. That leaves an unusually direct contest between Romney and Paul, pitting the former Massachusetts governor's establishment support and geographic advantages against the Texas congressman's small but passionate band of activists.
In many ways, the two candidates could not be more different. Romney has changed positions on a number of important issues including abortion, gay rights and health care policy, whereas Paul has hewed to his small government message since entering Congress in 1978.
The Maine face-off also is returning attention to a persistent and deep division in the GOP: the more moderate, business-oriented wing represented by Romney versus the restless tea party voters who have been receptive to much of Paul's platform.
Romney's aides say they do not view Paul as a threat to winning the nomination.
Romney and his team also have been mindful not to do or say anything that might anger Paul's loyal supporters.
Both men are veterans of the 2008 Republican nomination contest and are on friendly personal terms, as are their wives, aides say. The relationship in part explains their unwillingness to attack one another.
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