Sure is a lot of AsicMiner speculation on the ActiveMiner Speculation Thread. Not hard to figure out who the current industry leader is.
I don't think anyone is being delusional about it. AsicMiner is an elephant in the room and needs to be incorporated into any mining discussion.
ASICMINER also requires and has expressed a desire in competition. Competition, in this particular market, actually helps them rather than hurting them. With a legitimate competitor, they can sell more hardware to the masses and bring more online. I don't see why anyone who is an ASICMINER supporter or investor (TAT) would back handedly hope for a competitor to fail.