Mitt Romney, who was the closest thing to a threat to GOP rival John McCain, announced his departure from the race at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington today.

“If I fight on in my campaign, all the way to the convention, I would forestall the launch of a national campaign and make it more likely that Senator Clinton or Obama would win,” Romney said.  ”And in this time of war, I simply cannot let my campaign be a part of aiding a surrender to terror.”

Romney was right about the “fight” in his campaign. McCain and Romney both claimed the other was liberal. The two men also got into a scuffle over a letter Bob Dole wrote to Rush Limbaugh in defense of McCain.

Romney made waves when he said on FOX and Friends that Dole “was the last person I would have wanted to write a letter for me.”  He continued, “I think there are a lot of people who think McCain’s race is a bit like Dole’s race - that it’s the guy who’s next in line, the inevitable choice.”

McCain sharply rebuked the former Governor, causing him to scramble to explain his words and contact Dole.  Click here to read more about the fallout.

Romney’s exit from the race leaves McCain, Mike Huckabee and Ron Paul to battle it out for the Republican nomination. However, McCain is the extreme leader in delegates with 714 according to CNN, while Huckabee and Paul trail with 181 and 16, respectively.

Perhaps Romney’s departure and McCain’s clear lead will inspire conservatives to rally behind McCain and finally show some party unity. Huckabee and Paul have some pretty loyal followers, though, so who knows what they will do in the upcoming primaries and caucuses? Our Washington caucuses on Feb. 9th will still be very exciting - stay tuned!