Although supporters of Rick Santorum are urging Newt Gingrich to leave the race so that conservatives can unite around Santorum, Gingrich is showing no signs that he's going to do so.

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Campaigning today in Alabama, Gingrich portrayed Mitt Romney as a moderate along the lines of losing GOP candidates Bob Dole and John McCain.

As for Santorum, Gingrich cast him as a creature of Washington who was willing to play along with the team.

Gingrich told supporters, "I am not going to Washington to be a good team member. I am going to Washington to change Washington."

A Gingrich spokesman says Alabama and Mississippi, which vote next week, are must-win states for the former House speaker.

Meanwhile, Romney supporters are making the case that it is time for Republicans to close ranks around him. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor told CBS that Romney's claim to the nomination is inevitable. Former New York Gov. George Pataki, on Fox News, endorsed Romney and said it's time for Republicans to stop sniping at each other and to focus on Obama.

 

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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