Is Romney Wrapping Up the Nomination?

Mark Halperin: “Romney’s Illinois win could be the beginning of the end of the Republican nomination fight. In order to get there, he faces two challenges: He’ll have to convince on-the-sidelines Republicans to endorse his candidacy, contribute to his campaign, and muscle Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich out of the race. And he’ll also have to persuade the media to reflect the reality that Romney is the only candidate who can win… Santorum probably has one more chance to change the paradigm with a win in Wisconsin on April 3, after an expected victory in Louisiana on Saturday.”

Fred Barnes: “Mitt Romney is close to finishing off his rivals for the Republican presidential nomination, talk of a brokered GOP convention in August, and the prospect of a new candidate suddenly entering the contest.”

First Read: “Despite what some are saying, however, the race isn’t over — at least
not yet: The GOP primary contest moves on to Louisiana, where Santorum
is favored. And then, on April 3, it heads to DC, Maryland, and
Wisconsin. If Romney pulls off the upset in Louisiana and/or sweeps the
April 3 contests (especially Wisconsin), then it will be fair to
conclude the race is over.”