Romney Blasts Gingrich With Freddie Mac Ad

Florida ads expensive, Mitt rivals low on funds

(NEWSER) - The race for the GOP nomination may suddenly be more competitive than experts predicted, but in the next big primary state, Florida, Mitt Romney has the airwaves pretty much all to himself, reports the Los Angeles Times . Florida is one of the more expensive ad markets in the nation, and running ads in the state's 10 major media markets can run $2 million a week. Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich each have a surprising win in early primary battles, but neither has much cash left—and Ron Paul has decided not to put much effort into the state because he has long polled badly there. More»

Politico says he's become adept at going on offense

(NEWSER) - Heavy opposition research and 'gotcha' moments—never have they been used by a front-runner as much as Mitt Romney has used them this political season, writes Politico . (The article even dubs him the "gotcha candidate.") Throughout 20 Republican debates, Romney has been the most consistently ready to attack his opponents' weaknesses, hitting Rick Perry on immigration, Newt Gingrich on individual mandates for health care, and, in Wednesday night's debate, Rick Santorum on federal funding for family planning programs and his support of Arlen Specter. More»

'Anybody but Obama' not enough for crucial independents in swing states

(NEWSER) - The bruising, highly negative Republican presidential nomination fight appears to be creating a new casualty as the race moves into swing states like Colorado—independent voters, reports the Los Angeles Times . President Obama may have disappointed many voters over the past three years, but the GOP candidates' continuing bashing of each other is turning off a lot of voters even more. Independent voters "want to vote for a Republican, but they've got to like the one we nominate," said a former GOP state chairman. "It's not 'anybody but Obama.'" Independent voters are the dominant political force in Colorado—and other swing states—and appear to be warming to Obama. More»

Super PAC cash set to keep rivals going

(NEWSER) - Mitt Romney won huge in Florida , but this race isn't over yet. Here's what the pundits are taking away from this one:

• Romney has a much tougher fight ahead than John McCain did at this stage in 2008, analysts tell the LA Times . The reason: super PACs. In the past, primary defeats cut off a candidate's fundraising, but now deep-pocket donors, like Newt Gingrich's pal Sheldon Adelson , can keep shoveling in cash.

Gingrich says he's not going anywhere

(NEWSER) - In his victory speech tonight, Mitt Romney barely mentioned his Republican rivals—maybe worse for Newt Gingrich and company, he gave them faint praise as "able competitors"—and instead focused his attention on President Obama and the general election. "Mr. President, you were elected to lead, you chose to follow, and now it's time to get out of the way," he said, according to AP . And for those complaining about a divisive GOP race: "A competitive primary does not divide us, it prepares us, and we will win." Time has his prepared remarks here . More»