in Washington, D.C., Maryland and 鈥� most importantly 鈥� in Wisconsin has produced a subtle shift in the way Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney is being referred to by the news media.
For weeks he's been called the "likely" nominee, and you'll still see that word used in some stories. But , he's the "almost certain" Republican standard bearer. Romney will be President Obama's "eventual" opponent. , Tuesday "was in some respects the start of the general election," because the president and Romney have set their sights on each other.
Now, Republican contender Rick Santorum isn't giving up. , the former Pennsylvania senator says it's still only "half-time" in the GOP race.
But with Romney , the news media appear to be signaling that for them, at least, the GOP race is all-but-over and it's time to focus on November.
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