I just watched Mitt Romney announce his withdrawal from the race here at CPAC. A sad day indeed, but not entirely surprisingly, and arguably the right thing to do for the GOP and the nation.

Upon taking the stage, Romney received a reception that made the event look like a Romney rally:

I must admit, my reaction hearing the thunderous reception in the room was "Gee: where have you folks all been for the last six months?" Too little, too late, I'm afraid, and the conservatives who didn't back Romney early on should be feeling a well-earned sense of responsibility for Senator McCain's nomination right about now.

Romney's speech was classy, and hit the right notes in setting out the priorities of the GOP --- and the contrast that we face with the prospect of a President Obama or President Clinton (2). I'll have more thoughts on that eventually ( although Erick beat me to using my preferred headline: "I, for one, welcome our new McCain overlords.")

Anyway, not much to add to the event itself given that it will be given saturation coverage. But here's a few photos from my spot right at the edge of the stage...

And finally, back here at Blogger Alley, I had the opportunity to interview the man --- or, rather, the mammal -- who can claim a bit of credit for today's news:

Stay classy, Romney haters!

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