The Republican race could be over…and I'd argue it should be over…but that doesn't mean it is over.
Newt Gingrich says he wants to fight on…and he can…but, now, he's a neutron bomb who can blow up the GOP…and help re-elect President Obama.
Tonight's victory doesn't heal all the wounds Mitt Romney sustained in Florida, courtesy of Gingrich and Rick Santorum. But winning in Florida does make Romney virtually sure to win the nomination. If the Republicans don't unite behind him, it's hard to see how he wins in November.
And Newt Gingrich is the face of the Republican split. Which is why it's no longer in the party's interest for him to continue to campaign. I don't even think it's in his interest, since he's destined to lose.
Finally, congratulations to the state of Florida, which may have been the biggest winner tonight. Florida broke Republican Party rules to hold its primary early–and will be penalized–but so what? Florida cemented its spot on the primary calendar, and you can be sure it will vote early…again…in 2016.
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