Hotsheet Live: Where does the GOP go from here?

CBS News political director John Dickerson was joined on Hotsheet Live Friday by TIME's Michael Crowley, the AP's Phil Elliott and Erin McPike of Real Clear Politics to recap this week's primaries and handicap the rest of the presidential election cycle.

"We didn't expect that Romney would come in third in both Mississippi and Alabama," McPike said.

After Santorum's recent Southern victories, Elliott said, "[The Santorum campaign] responds that the Republican's are not going to pick a mathematician-in-chief, they're going to pick a commander-in-chief, someone who will inspire America."

Crowley said President Obama's campaign is reminding voters that America is improving, despite inheriting a bad economy. "'It could have been worse' is the bumper sticker of 2012," he said.

Each panelist concluded with an endorsement about something they have seen or read, including Elliott's endorsement of the book The Real Romney.

TIME's Michael Crowley: Slate's article "The Conversion" that highlights Romney's changing position on abortion.

Real Clear Politics' Erin McPike: GQ's article about Romney's childhood ambitions, "Run, Little Mitt, Run!"

And John's own pick: President Nixon's love letters that were released this week.

Watch the entire discussion - including the panel's take on whether Newt Gingrich will drop out of the race - in the video above.