Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney routed Newt Gingrich in the Florida primary Tuesday night, rebounding smartly from an earlier defeat and taking a major step toward the Republican presidential nomination. In defeat, the former House speaker vowed to press on.

Romney, talking unity like a nominee, said he was ready "to lead this party and our nation" _ and defeat Democratic President Barack Obama. In remarks to cheering supporters, Romney unleashed a strong attack on Obama and said the competitive fight for the GOP nomination "does not divide us, it prepares us" for the fall.

"Mr. President, you were elected to lead, you chose to follow, and now it's time to get out of the way,: he declared.