This is curious. An analysis of last week's GOP debate found that Mitt Romney was the only candidate to not mention Ronald Reagan. In fact, he hasn't mentioned Reagan in all three of the major debates so far.

Smart Politics says Reagan was name-dropped 24 times by the candidates last week.

A Smart Politics content analysis of the 2012 GOP presidential debates finds that not only was Mitt Romney the only candidate who did not name drop Reagan at the MSNBC / POLITICO debate, but he has also refrained from invoking the legendary Republican figure at all three major debates held so far this year.

Romney's silence on Reagan - particularly in the library that bears his name - was in stark contrast to former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who mentioned Reagan's name nine times - more than twice the number of any other candidate.

Gingrich has now mentioned Ronald Reagan 14 times across the three debates held in New Hampshire, Iowa, and California with his affinity perhaps summed up in his shared view with the former president on immigration: "I'm with Ronald Reagan."

Gingrich's tally nearly equals the total number of times all other candidates (including former contender Tim Pawlenty) have cited Reagan's name combined during these three debates (17).

After Gingrich at nine mentions came Rick Santorum and Ron Paul with four, Jon Huntsman with three, Michele Bachmann with two, and Herman Cain and Rick Perry with one each.