Romney is Out

TRANSCRIPT: Mitt Romney's CPAC speech
_______________

It's not like the writing wasn't on the wall.

(CNN) -- Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney will suspend his bid for the Republican presidential nomination, GOP sources tell CNN.

Romney had won 270 delegates in through the Super Tuesday contests, compared with front-runner John McCain's 680.

Suspending a campaign has a different meaning depending on the party.

On the Republican side, decisions on how to allocate delegates is left to the state parties.

...Romney is expected to announce his decision Thursday afternoon at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, three Republican sources told CNN.

This really isn't a big deal in terms of changing the outcome of the Republican primary.

It was clear that McCain was going to be the nominee.

I think Romney will live to fight another day, like in 2012 against the Dem president.
_________________

Romney is not going out with a whimper. In his address to CPAC, he's speaking with energy and resolve that's playing well with his audience.

It's unlikely that McCain would choose Romney as a VP, given all the bad blood. I think McCain is way too stubborn to pick a running mate who would appeal to his enemies.

But who knows?

In any event, Romney's address is not that of one whose political career is over.

He just compared himself to Ronald Reagan in 1976. Fight on.

But Romney is striking a conciliatory tone, saying he agrees with McCain when it comes to fighting Islamic extremists.

He says that because we are at war, we cannot allow Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama to win the White House. So, he's stepping aside.

Romney said the race wasn't about him. His campaign has never been about him.

He said, "I entered this race because I love America."