A Li-Mitted Victory for Presumptive GOP Nominee

By Ron Fournier // January 31, 2012 | 7:58 p.m.

Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney celebrates his Florida primary election win at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Fla., Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak) (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak))

How much did Mitt Romney lose in winning? There is no doubting the magnitude of his Florida victory on Tuesday night and his alpha-dog status atop the Republican presidential field. But these questions are as unavoidable as they are unpleasant for the presumptive GOP nominee: Will this brutal contest end soon? And will Romney be the weaker for it?

Likely answers: No ... and, Yes.