Rove: Romney Has Won GOP Nomination

Tuesday’s primaries were the tipping point in the GOP race for the presidential nomination and Mitt Romney has now essentially won the nomination, Karl Rove said on Thursday.

Writing in the Wall Street Journal, President George W. Bush’s senior adviser said Rick Santorum’s underdog challenge for the nomination is “almost over.”

“Most political contests have an inflection point where the outcome becomes clear. Tuesday was such a moment for the GOP presidential sweepstakes,” Rove said.

Rove detailed what he said was the former senator from Pennsylvania’s five-point plan to achieve victory:

• Disqualify Romney delegates from Florida and Arizona;
• Gain delegates in states that pick by conventions, not primaries;
• Carry Pennsylvania;
• Win big in May;
• Persuade uncommitted delegates to support him.

He then dismissed the plan in four simple words: “This strategy won’t work.”

Rove said Santorum’s argument that it would be “energizing for the GOP to have a floor-fight” at the Tampa convention is “the argument of a desperate candidate.”

“More and more Republicans think such a bloodletting would severely set back the cause of defeating Barack Obama,” he said.

“Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is correct: The GOP nomination must be earned. Mr. Romney's sweep Tuesday shows he is doing just that.”