Romney Quits Race  —  Says time of war is not the right time to continue GOP fight: “I feel I have to stand aside.”  —  Read full remarks from CPAC conference here. … AP: Decision effectively cedes nomination to McCain. … HALPERIN'S TAKE: TEN THINGS MITT ROMNEY COULD HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY

Mukasey won't investigate ‘waterboarding’  —  WASHINGTON (CNN) — Attorney General Michael Mukasey told lawmakers Thursday he will not open a criminal investigation into the CIA's acknowledged use of “waterboarding” on terror suspects.  —  House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers …

And Obama Wept  —  Inspiration is nice.  But some folks seem to be getting out of hand.  —  It's as if Tom Daschle descended from on high saying, “Be not afraid; for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people: for there is born to you this day in the city …

Clinton Campaign Staffers Not Going Without Pay  —  Staff Had Offered to Go Without Pay to Save Campaign Money But Never Did  —  So it turns out the Clinton campaign may not be so cash-strapped after all — at least not at this very moment.  —  After offering on Wednesday to go without paychecks …

CPAC to all CPAC-ers: Don't boo McCain  —  John McCain may have it easier than he expected today when he commandeers the podium at CPAC this afternoon.  Conservatives from all over will predictably fill the room to the brim to listen to what the now GOP front-runner has to say, despite a hate/love relationship with the guy.

Sun Stays Sluggish as Weathermen Fight for Anti-Ice Age Funding  —  Every day, scientists hoping to see  —  an increase in solar activity train their instruments at the sun as it crosses the sky.  This is no idle academic pursuit: A lull in solar action could potentially drive …

Establishments  —  There's something a little silly about Hillary Clinton's efforts to label Barack Obama “the establishment candidate” considering that she's also bragging about her lead in superdelegates, is running on experience, and is backed by the bulk of the senior leadership cadres from her husband's administration.

The next president should open up the Bush Administration's record  —  By now no one expects the Bush Administration to make itself accountable for its controversial and possibly illegal practices.  But the next President will have a unique opportunity to reveal what has been kept hidden for the last seven years.

From the Jaws of Victory  —  The U.S. just dodged a bullet in Iraq.  —  Recently it was reported that Pentagon leaders were considering Gen. David Petraeus, commander of the Multi-National Force Iraq since February 2007, for a prestigious redeployment to Europe.