The Mac is Back! Santorum accepts large bills, too. More whistles and whistle stops. And just as Ron Paul accuses Newt Gingrich of being a "serial hypocrite," Newt Gingrich is accusing Mitt Romney of being a serial flip-flopper. Hold on, everybody, we're going to DEFCON 2.

In this episode of Primary Countdown, for Jan. 5 with five days to go, we see how they run. It is a sprint, after all.

Compare and Contrast: Depending on the news report, Newt Gingrich is either striking positive notes or firing away at Mitt Romney. Consider his comment Wednesday in Concord:

"Governor Romney was first an independent, then repudiated Reagan-Bush, then voted for Paul Tsongas–the most liberal candidate in the '92 campaign–then ran to the left of Teddy Kennedy in 1994, then became a moderate to run for governor in 2002, and then, with 'Romneycare,'for example, included state-funded abortions and included, specifically designated Planned Parenthood as a part of Romneycare..."

That big tent gets smaller by the day: Mitt Romney's Conservative Critics Take One Last Stab At Preventing His Anointment.

Whistle Stop? Romney has a testy exchange with an Occupy protester during his stop in Manchester. Romney picked up the endorsement of his old foe, John McCain, but an otherwise hurrah-campaign event lacked the friendly tone of some candidate appearances (Read: this audience was not packed with Team Mitt.) One odd moment: hearing that loud wolf whistle/cat call when Mrs. McCain and Mrs. Romney were introduced. You stay classy Little Green!

He's in the money: Rick Santorum, speaking at Rockingham County nursing home Wednesday night, said he doubled his campaign cash in the previous 24 hours. He wouldn't say how much dough he was rolling in.

Don't expect a Romney-Gingrich Ticket. Or a Gingrich-Romney Ticket. But then again, would you have imagined four years ago that John McCain would be singing Mitt Romney's praises like he did in New Hampshire? The latest bad blood, courtesy of Gingrich: Romney's an enabler of "liberalism."

Get on TV: Huntsman joins Ron Paul and Mitt Romney in an ad push on WMUR. Speaking of ads, Jon Huntsman will air a new ad–this one paid for by his campaign, not the Our Destiny Super PAC–in the final days of the New Hampshire campaign. 

Your Primary Central: If it happens on the primary campaign trail, it's on this Live Blog.

Tea Party Influence: The national press corps in town for the primary, and New Hampshire state lawmakers get to business showing off their anti-establishment charm.

Candidate Compass:  Mitt Romney speaks this morning in Salem. Jon Huntsman starts his day over at the Ashworth in Hampton. Rick Santorum has a busy swing that includes an evening event in Windham and a 3:30 p.m. town hall meeting at the College Convention 2012 at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord. 

"Chicken Hawk?" Ron Paul returned volley yesterday to Newt Gingrich's criticism of him as "dangerous" on foreign policy. He accused Gingrich of being a "chicken hawk," ducking out of service in Vietnam. Gingrich had deferments for college and being a father.

Around the Horn:

• The issue that will matter most in the NH Primary. 
• Romney Takes Victory Lap as Santorum Plays Catch-up.
• An exuberant Ron Paul vows to fight on.
• Rick Santorum, Newt Gingrich, Jon Huntsman Join Rick Perry's Virginia Primary Lawsuit.
• VIDEO: Roemer Downtown. 

Squishy: The Union Leader criticizes Mit Romney and touts its candidate, Newt Gingrich, in different editorials today. Romney, despite what he may say or do, "is the establishment candidate," the newspaper says. Publisher Joseph W. McQuaid calls Romney a "squishy-moderate Republican."

Made in America: Buddy Roemer's comes up with a "Made in America" Yankee Swap. In traditional Yankee Swap fashion, members of the public (yeah, you there, dear voter) are invited to bring gifts valued at $15 or less for the Roemer party Monday, 12:30 p.m., at his office at 66 Hanover St. in Manchester. His primary objective: Promote the need for comprehensive trade strategy.

Primary tips or quips? Email dan.tuohy@patch.com. Follow him on Twitter. And leave a comment below–it doesn't cost a thing.