Republican National Committee endorses Romney

AP Photo/Jae C. Hong

(CBS News) After solidifying his status as the presumptive Republican presidential nominee Tuesday night with five primary victories, Mitt Romney can now boast of having the official support of the Republican National Committee.

"Governor Romney's strong performance and delegate count at this stage of the primary process has made him our party's presumptive nominee," RNC Chairman Reince Priebus said in a statement.

Priebus said he's directed the RNC staff to open lines of communication with the Romney campaign, to sync up their financial and political operations. "I am excited that these two top-notch operations will start to integrate and present a unified team to defeat Barack Obama," he said.

Romney's campaign and the RNC have already established a joint fundraising committee, but the newly-synchronized effort will give the Romney campaign extra advantages. For instance, the GOP candidate will be able to advantage of the RNC's 15 battleground state operations, which include staffers working specifically on issues like Hispanic outreach.

[lichuwall]

The main media has not been making balanced reports between the two major Parties of our nation. I just want to thank CBS for your effort to be fair in updating the political events and candidates! We need to be united as a nation! Any divisive, hateful message posted is a waste of energy and unproductive to the progress of our future! Thank you CBS!

[jeannettelj]

DUH!! Who cares? Romney doesn't have a clue how real people have to live.

[unclebernies]

Wow an endorsement of the republican national committee for a republican candidate. I am shocked and amazed that the RNC went out on the limb like this. CBS you need to find stories that make sense.

[andrewjsacks]

I endorse Barack Obama.

[thebob-bob]

No news there. Willy Mitts has been the darling of the Republican Establishment for years. He was "Chosen" a long time ago.

So far, Romney has spent 77 million dollars on his campaign according to CNN. Thats $18.50 a vote and $126,000 per delegate. Romney has spent more than Ron Paul, Rick Santorum, and Newt Gingrich combined.

All that money isn't coming from thousands of small donors. Where is it coming from and why are they "investing" so much in getting Romney the nomination??

Fear, Hatred, Distortion, Distraction and Division is all Republicans have to offer America.

[andrewjsacks]

Absolutely correct.

[solo_boatie]

Still plan on voting for Ron Paul.

[JagerHitsULater]

Me too, Romney is more of the same, We need some Change. I know it's a "wasted" vote to some but I'd rather vote for someone I agree.