Romney sweeps 5 states

Newt Gingrich clears nomination path,quits presidential race

Mitt Romney swept five state primaries further cementing his hold on the Republican presidential nomination and immediately told voters he would save them from four more years of President Barack Obamas false promises and weak leadership.

Romneys path to the nomination cleared further Wednesday as Newt Gingrich began shutting down his debt-laden campaign and endorse Romney next week. Gingrich spokesman RC Hammond said the Gingrich spoke with Romney and had started planning an event where he would throw his support behind him.

Gingrich called on the party to unite behind Romney and told an audience in North Carolina he is now campaigning as a citizen.

Romney,a former Massachusetts governor,emerged Tuesday from months of a brutal Republican nominating campaign,reaffirming his determination to hammer Obama over his handling of the US economic recovery from the steepest downturn since the Great Depression.

As I look around at the millions of Americans without work,the graduates who cant get a job,the soldiers who return home to an unemployment line,it breaks my heart, Romney said in a victory speech from New Hampshire. This does not have to be. It is the result of failed leadership and of a faulty vision.

Romney is focused on the still-weak economy,the foremost issue among voters and one that polls show Americans believe Romney is better equipped to handle.

Romney won primaries in Connecticut,Rhode Island,Delaware,Pennsylvania and New York. After 43 primaries and caucuses,many long days and not a few long nights,I can say with confidence and gratitude that you have given me a great honor and solemn responsibility, he said.

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Romney picked up at least 146 delegates Tuesday to the partys nominating convention in August.

Obamas approval rating increases to 50 pc

US President Barack Obamas job approval rating has increased to 50 per cent,extending his lead over top Republican challenger Mitt Romney,a latest national opinion poll said Tuesday. Obamas disapproval rating dropped to 44 per cent in Gallups Daily tracking poll on Obamas support among US voters.

PTI