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Florida primary result: panel verdict	Florida primary result: panel verdict
2012-02-01 18:40:10 UTC	2012-02-01 20:00:28 UTC (about 1 hour later)
Grover Norquist: 'Florida does not end the campaign for Gingrich'	Grover Norquist: 'Florida does not end the campaign for Gingrich'
Mitt Romney's strong victory over Newt Gingrich in the Florida primary does three things. It punctures the assertion that Mitt Romney has a "glass ceiling" that limits his support in the Republican primaries to 25-35%. That argument implied that once the race winnowed down from nine guys plus Romney to one guy v Romney, the "anti-Romney" vote would become the majority. Second, it – once again – stopped the momentum that Gingrich and his team could argue made Newt inevitable. Newt had and lost that before Iowa, and now after South Carolina. But third, it does not end the campaign for Gingrich, as noted above, he has come back from the dead three times in this primary election already.	Mitt Romney's strong victory over Newt Gingrich in the Florida primary does three things. It punctures the assertion that Mitt Romney has a "glass ceiling" that limits his support in the Republican primaries to 25-35%. That argument implied that once the race winnowed down from nine guys plus Romney to one guy v Romney, the "anti-Romney" vote would become the majority. Second, it – once again – stopped the momentum that Gingrich and his team could argue made Newt inevitable. Newt had and lost that before Iowa, and now after South Carolina. But third, it does not end the campaign for Gingrich, as noted above, he has come back from the dead three times in this primary election already.
During the fight for Iowa, and then again in Florida, we saw that when Gingrich sees victory slipping away from him, or believes it is being stolen by waves of negative ads, he becomes negative himself and ceases to be the positive, energetic, conservative visionary who can credibly claim to be the heir to Reagan in the party of Reagan. How Gingrich reacts to Florida could get him back on his feet or continue a downward slide.	During the fight for Iowa, and then again in Florida, we saw that when Gingrich sees victory slipping away from him, or believes it is being stolen by waves of negative ads, he becomes negative himself and ceases to be the positive, energetic, conservative visionary who can credibly claim to be the heir to Reagan in the party of Reagan. How Gingrich reacts to Florida could get him back on his feet or continue a downward slide.
Unknown yet is how Romney will react to being "the presumed nominee". He was that for a while, between New Hampshire and South Carolina, and it led him to timidity in policy debate and to unforced errors in not releasing his tax returns on a timely basis. If he can keep the optimism of the presumptive nominee without losing the fire in the belly of a challenger, Romney can win this sooner rather than later.	Unknown yet is how Romney will react to being "the presumed nominee". He was that for a while, between New Hampshire and South Carolina, and it led him to timidity in policy debate and to unforced errors in not releasing his tax returns on a timely basis. If he can keep the optimism of the presumptive nominee without losing the fire in the belly of a challenger, Romney can win this sooner rather than later.
Or not.	Or not.
Grover Norquist is president of Americans for Tax Reform	Grover Norquist is president of Americans for Tax Reform
Cheri Jacobus: 'Florida allowed Republican voters to see at long last that Mitt can hit hard'	Cheri Jacobus: 'Florida allowed Republican voters to see at long last that Mitt can hit hard'
Mitt Romney badly needed a blowout win and it was Florida that finally delivered.	Mitt Romney badly needed a blowout win and it was Florida that finally delivered.
For the better part of a year, if not longer, the former Massachusetts governor has been the guy to beat in the race for the Republican nomination for president of the United States. He exercised caution when other GOP candidates were self-sabotaging and imploding. It kept him safe, but did not make him a big winner.	For the better part of a year, if not longer, the former Massachusetts governor has been the guy to beat in the race for the Republican nomination for president of the United States. He exercised caution when other GOP candidates were self-sabotaging and imploding. It kept him safe, but did not make him a big winner.
The Iowa caucuses initially seemed to be Romney's, by a hair, until the final count handed the prize to former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum. New Hampshire went for Mitt: it borders Massachusetts and the Romneys even own a vacation home there.	The Iowa caucuses initially seemed to be Romney's, by a hair, until the final count handed the prize to former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum. New Hampshire went for Mitt: it borders Massachusetts and the Romneys even own a vacation home there.
Former House speaker Newt Gingrich left tread marks on Romney as he ran all over him in South Carolina. So, Mitt desperately needed this overwhelming victory in Florida – hugely important in the general election, long considered a "swing" state though now, arguably, "leaning" Republican. This decisive win by Romney omens well for November.	Former House speaker Newt Gingrich left tread marks on Romney as he ran all over him in South Carolina. So, Mitt desperately needed this overwhelming victory in Florida – hugely important in the general election, long considered a "swing" state though now, arguably, "leaning" Republican. This decisive win by Romney omens well for November.
While the Florida primary contest turned harsh – 68% of the TV ads were negative against Gingrich and 23% were against Romney – the upshot is that it allowed Republican voters, as well as others, to see at long last that Mitt can, indeed, hit hard and land a punch. That will be vital in a match against President Barack Obama, with his billion-dollar war chest and the anticipated negative, dirty campaign the Obama team is concocting.	While the Florida primary contest turned harsh – 68% of the TV ads were negative against Gingrich and 23% were against Romney – the upshot is that it allowed Republican voters, as well as others, to see at long last that Mitt can, indeed, hit hard and land a punch. That will be vital in a match against President Barack Obama, with his billion-dollar war chest and the anticipated negative, dirty campaign the Obama team is concocting.
The Obama record is not one to brag about. And that leaves the incumbent president with one option – a very negative attack campaign. That will make what Romney threw at Gingrich in Florida seem like a picnic.	The Obama record is not one to brag about. And that leaves the incumbent president with one option – a very negative attack campaign. That will make what Romney threw at Gingrich in Florida seem like a picnic.
Cheri Jacobus is a political strategist, pundit and writer	Cheri Jacobus is a political strategist, pundit and writer
	Tim Montgomerie: 'The Republican establishment has been slow to endorse their likely nominee'
	The Grand Old Party has pulled back from the brink. Mitt Romney spent an extraordinary $15.5m "educating" Republicans in Florida about Newt Gingrich and, though expensive, it was effective.
	Gingrich's negative ratings soared as TV ad after TV ad exposed his past. If current opinion polls suggest that Romney will have an uphill struggle beating Obama, they show that Gingrich's challenge would be much more mountainous. So many independent voters hold such a poor view of the former House speaker that the Republicans would be committing electoral suicide if they nominate him.
	Gingrich has only one slim chance left – and that's if Rick Santorum drops out and the conservative wing of the GOP unites behind him. This is unlikely. First, the former Pennsylvania senator shows no sign of wanting to quit. Second, many of Santorum's Christian conservative backers are simply too repelled by Gingrich's personal history and manner. His campaign's suggestions that Romney refused kosher meals to Holocaust survivors was low by any standard.
	Gingrich will make increasingly conservative noises as he did in Tuesday night's concession speech but Romney will begin to think again about the general election. His debate performances in Florida and they way he carpet-bombed Gingrich show that he might be becoming a better campaigner.
	The conservative movement is looking badly divided, however. It's not just Tea Party scepticism about Romney. Despite much talk of a Republican establishment, the party's big beasts are slow to endorse their likely nominee. Support for Romney is getting wider, but not deeper. The absence of a positive, unifying message remains Romney's Achilles heel.
	Tim Montgomerie is editor of ConservativeHomeUSA
Michael Wissot: 'Only if Santorum drops out can Gingrich amass enough conservative support to contest Romney'	Michael Wissot: 'Only if Santorum drops out can Gingrich amass enough conservative support to contest Romney'
Mitt Romney's decisive victory in Florida affirms the power of a bottomless war chest and a well-organized grassroots team. While his GOP rivals allocated all of their resources in the early primaries, Romney built an impressive turnkey operation in the Sunshine State.	Mitt Romney's decisive victory in Florida affirms the power of a bottomless war chest and a well-organized grassroots team. While his GOP rivals allocated all of their resources in the early primaries, Romney built an impressive turnkey operation in the Sunshine State.
Newt Gingrich certainly had his chances to build momentum after winning South Carolina. But without Romney's money or organization, Gingrich needed another stellar debate performance. Instead, he lacked his usual dynamism, missing opportunities to create the clarity and focus that typically brought Republicans to their feet.	Newt Gingrich certainly had his chances to build momentum after winning South Carolina. But without Romney's money or organization, Gingrich needed another stellar debate performance. Instead, he lacked his usual dynamism, missing opportunities to create the clarity and focus that typically brought Republicans to their feet.
During the CNN debate in Jacksonville, it was actually Romney who performed quite assertively. His response to Gingrich calling him "anti-immigrant" set the tone. While Rick Santorum perhaps won that debate, Romney benefitted most. By discovering his own fighting spirit without drifting into pettiness or negativity, he diffused Gingrich's key strength. And the number of remaining debates is diminishing quickly.	During the CNN debate in Jacksonville, it was actually Romney who performed quite assertively. His response to Gingrich calling him "anti-immigrant" set the tone. While Rick Santorum perhaps won that debate, Romney benefitted most. By discovering his own fighting spirit without drifting into pettiness or negativity, he diffused Gingrich's key strength. And the number of remaining debates is diminishing quickly.
According to the Florida exit polls, Romney won every major demographic – but he did exceptionally well with Latinos and seniors, both of whom have higher representation in Florida. That's purely a result of running positive ads on Romney for several weeks.	According to the Florida exit polls, Romney won every major demographic – but he did exceptionally well with Latinos and seniors, both of whom have higher representation in Florida. That's purely a result of running positive ads on Romney for several weeks.
The negative ads on Gingrich were too overwhelming. Among voters who considered them an important factor to their vote, Romney beat Gingrich 59% to 24%. For those who did not consider the ads a factor at all, Romney only won 38% to 36%.	The negative ads on Gingrich were too overwhelming. Among voters who considered them an important factor to their vote, Romney beat Gingrich 59% to 24%. For those who did not consider the ads a factor at all, Romney only won 38% to 36%.
Here's the problem for Gingrich. As long as he remains in the race, he can expect a deluge of negative ads hovering over his candidacy. And they seem to affect his temperament more often than not.	Here's the problem for Gingrich. As long as he remains in the race, he can expect a deluge of negative ads hovering over his candidacy. And they seem to affect his temperament more often than not.
Before Super Tuesday, Romney will likely win at least six of the next seven primaries, making his nomination look inevitable. While Gingrich can stay competitive in March, he needs one thing to happen: only if Santorum drops out in the next few weeks can Gingrich amass enough conservative support to contest Romney before the delegates pile up.	Before Super Tuesday, Romney will likely win at least six of the next seven primaries, making his nomination look inevitable. While Gingrich can stay competitive in March, he needs one thing to happen: only if Santorum drops out in the next few weeks can Gingrich amass enough conservative support to contest Romney before the delegates pile up.
If conservative voters cannot unite behind Gingrich, this race will quickly come to a close.	If conservative voters cannot unite behind Gingrich, this race will quickly come to a close.
Michael Wissot is a senior strategist for Luntz Global	Michael Wissot is a senior strategist for Luntz Global
Matt Lewis: 'Romney has collected only collected a fraction of the delegates he needs to clinch the nomination'	Matt Lewis: 'Romney has collected only collected a fraction of the delegates he needs to clinch the nomination'
If we've learned anything from this whole experience, it's that negative ads work.	If we've learned anything from this whole experience, it's that negative ads work.
In winning Florida, Mitt Romney and his supporters outspent the Gingrich forces by about a five-to-one ratio. The vast majority of the ads were negative. We should probably be surprised the race wasn't even more of a blowout.	In winning Florida, Mitt Romney and his supporters outspent the Gingrich forces by about a five-to-one ratio. The vast majority of the ads were negative. We should probably be surprised the race wasn't even more of a blowout.
This is disappointing for many. If you're a Gingrich supporter, you probably decry the use of negative ads – and lament the fact that a rich guy can "buy" an election. Romney supporters, on the other hand, can argue this demonstrates Romney is capable of running a similarly tough campaign against Barack Obama in the fall. My guess is Romney wins this argument.	This is disappointing for many. If you're a Gingrich supporter, you probably decry the use of negative ads – and lament the fact that a rich guy can "buy" an election. Romney supporters, on the other hand, can argue this demonstrates Romney is capable of running a similarly tough campaign against Barack Obama in the fall. My guess is Romney wins this argument.
Here's the problem: Newt Gingrich has relied on wit and charm and brilliant debate performances, while Mitt Romney has built his campaign house on a solid foundation of infrastructure and organization. The problem for Gingrich is that wit takes naps. Charm goes on vacation. Brilliance is streaky. It can work for you in South Carolina, and then go fishing in Florida. But infrastructure and organization, on the other hand, do not slump. And "money", as Jesse Unruh used to day, "is the mother's milk of politics."	Here's the problem: Newt Gingrich has relied on wit and charm and brilliant debate performances, while Mitt Romney has built his campaign house on a solid foundation of infrastructure and organization. The problem for Gingrich is that wit takes naps. Charm goes on vacation. Brilliance is streaky. It can work for you in South Carolina, and then go fishing in Florida. But infrastructure and organization, on the other hand, do not slump. And "money", as Jesse Unruh used to day, "is the mother's milk of politics."
This is all a way of saying Mitt Romney is in an enviable position. But before we get carried away, there are still problems to overcome. Exit polling in Florida seemed to indicate he still struggles among the most conservative voters and Tea Party folks. And despite his impressive victory, Romney still failed to win a majority of the vote, meaning that more Republicans vote for someone other than Mitt Romney.	This is all a way of saying Mitt Romney is in an enviable position. But before we get carried away, there are still problems to overcome. Exit polling in Florida seemed to indicate he still struggles among the most conservative voters and Tea Party folks. And despite his impressive victory, Romney still failed to win a majority of the vote, meaning that more Republicans vote for someone other than Mitt Romney.
This race has had plenty of ups and downs (last week, it was Gingrich who was riding high.) As the sign on Gingrich's podium informed the world last night, there are 46 states left to go. Florida was important, to be sure, but don't forget the fact that it only amounts to 50 delegates. Thus far, Romney has collected only collected a fraction of the 1,144 delegates he will need if he is to clinch the nomination. This thing could last a long time.	This race has had plenty of ups and downs (last week, it was Gingrich who was riding high.) As the sign on Gingrich's podium informed the world last night, there are 46 states left to go. Florida was important, to be sure, but don't forget the fact that it only amounts to 50 delegates. Thus far, Romney has collected only collected a fraction of the 1,144 delegates he will need if he is to clinch the nomination. This thing could last a long time.