Sen. Gregg lowers NH expectations for Romney

New Hampshire Senator Judd Gregg said Mitt Romney does not have to win the New Hampshire Primary to capture the Republican nomination.

In an interview Gregg, who is backing Romney, repeated that while he believes Iowa and New Hampshire are more important than before the fluid nature of the Republican race means a winner will be decided later in the month.

"[Romney] does have to do well here and I think he will do well," Gregg said. "But he doesn't have to win to get the nomination."

Gregg acknowledged that Romney rival John McCain has a solid campaign in the state and joked about the how pro-McCain the Union Leader newspaper has been.

"They are on like DEFCON 5 for McCain," Gregg said.