THE DRIVE TO WRAP IT UP – AT 11:02 A.M. ET:  There is renewed pressure for the Republican Party to unite behind Mitt Romney for the presidential nomination, and move forward to the general election campaign.

Statistically, it's virtually impossible for Newt Gingrich to come anywhere near the delegate count needed for victory, barring a deadlocked convention.  And a deadlocked convention would not turn to a man who has won so little in the primaries.  Indeed, as we've pointed out before, Gingrich (whom we admire in many ways) may not even have enough votes to qualify to have his name put in nomination. 

As for Santorum, he only wins in the South, and he has shown no appeal to independents.

Romney is a flawed candidate, to be sure.  But he is piling up the votes, and I see no alternative who's willing to run.  (Some of the alternatives are pretty flawed themselves.)  Barring some catastrophe, Romney will be the nominee.  From The Politico:

South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham said on Sunday that Mitt Romney has effectively locked up the GOP presidential nomination, arguing it's now time for the party to begin looking toward the fall election.

"I think the primary is over. Romney will be the nominee," Graham said on CNN's "State of the Union." "The fat lady hasn't sung yet. But she's warming up."

Graham, a Republican who's unaligned in the nomination fight, also predicted that Romney would avoid a floor fight.

"He'll get to 1,144 [delegates]," the senator said. "The last thing I want is a brokered convention."

COMMENT:  Look for comments like Graham's to grow in number and intensity.  The opponent is Barack Obama, not other Republicans. 

Please also notice the growing chatter about a vice presidential nominee, a sure sign that Republicans are realizing the inevitable in the presidential choice.  Marco Rubio's name is at the top of the list.  And Paul Ryan has just said he ain't ruling it out.  Those are good names.

March 25, 2012