Romney suspends campaign

WASHINGTON -- Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney suspended his presidential campaign Thursday, telling a convention of conservative activists a protracted fight with John McCain would only aid the Democrats.

"I entered this race because I love America, and because I love America, I feel I must stand aside for our party and our country," Romney told the Conservative Political Action Conference. He said a Democratic victory in the 2008 presidential election would endanger America's security in a time of war.

"I simply cannot let my campaign be a part of aiding a surrender to terror," Romney told the CPAC. He told the group that if continued his campaign all the way to the GOP convention, similar to Ronald Reagan's effort in 1976 against Gerald Ford, "I'd forestall the launch of a national campaign and I'd frankly make it easier" for a Democrat to win.

His decision brings to an abrupt end the campaign of McCain's closest rival. Romney won primaries and caucuses Tuesday in Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, Utah and Colorado, but McCain stretched his delegate lead by winning such big states as California, New York and Illinois.

The suspension comes a little less than a year after the former Massachusetts governor and venture-capital CEO kicked off his campaign by saying the country needs "innovation and transformation." He said "lifelong politicians" won't make it happen.

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McCain, speaking to CPAC a few hours after Romney, saluted his now-former rival. He asked the group, which has been hostile to his positions on immigration and campaign finance in particular, to back his presidential bid.

"It will be a campaign based on conservative principles," McCain said.

Romney's support and fundraising clout made him a major factor in the GOP race, but he struggled after failing to win either of the two early tests — Iowa and New Hampshire. McCain took the latter; former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, now McCain's only major rival but trailing him badly in Republican convention delegates, won the former. Texas Rep. Ron Paul remains in the race but has yet to win a primary or caucus.