The
final margin of victory for Romney was 14 points as he gained 46% of Florida's votes to 32% for Gingrich; Rick Santorum had 13% while Ron Paul trailed with just 7. The win for the former governor of Massachusetts gave him all 50 of the state's
delegates and the overall lead with 87 delegates to Gingrich's 26; Santorum has 14 and Paul 4.
Mitt Romney: Obama "get out of the way"
After the numbers were in Romney told supporters at a celebration in Tampa that he was ready to take on Barack Obama and he sent a message to Obama. “Mr. President," he roared. "You were elected to lead, you chose to follow, and now it’s time to get out of the way."
Romney also spoke of America: “We still believe in the America that is the land of opportunity and a beacon of freedom," Romney told his jubilant supporters. "We believe in the America that challenges each of us to be bigger and better than ourselves. This election, let’s fight for the America we love. We believe in America. Thank you so much! Florida, you are the best!"
For his part, Gingrich vowed to fight on, saying he would do so in all 48 remaining states. “We are going to contest every place and we are going to win and we will be in Tampa as the nominee in August," he said.
Newt Gingrich: "We are going to win"
The contest is far from being over and despite his lead and momentum, Romney is a long ways from gaining the nomination. When they get to Tampa on August 27 for the Republican National Convention
1,144 delegates will be needed to win.
This month sees
7 primaries with the next coming up in Nevada on Feb. 4. There is also a February primary in Maine, Colorado, Minnesota, Missouri, Arizona and Michigan.
Negative campaigning has had a large presence in the fight thus far.
