Hello, and welcome to our live-wire coverage of the 2016 race for the White House.  Did you see last night’s Republican debate? Senators Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz strapped on their flamethrowers to try and scorch frontrunner Donald Trump, while token adult in the room John Kasich patiently waited his turn and told people that when they got to know him they’d vote for him.  Here’s where to read all about it:  Related: Donald Trump taunted by Cruz and Rubio during Republican debate  There was enough superficial action in the presidential race yesterday (not to be confused with actual voting or vote-counting) – Mitt Romney calling Trump a burgeoning fascist, Trump replying that Romney begged him for a 2012 endorsement, old Romney campaign hands piling on to say it was Trump who was doing the begging – that it was possible to lose sight of the events unfolding at the Gaylord National Harbor Hotel in Maryland, where the right has gathered for the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). The Guardian’s Megan Carpentier, Dan Roberts and Ben Jacobs are there for the fun:  Related: CPAC Republican jamboree is bright and loud but enthusiasm for Trump is muted  Speaking of Romney, he’s been on the Today show this morning and kind of gently pushed back against a report yesterday that his advisers are exploring what it might mean to navigate a contested national convention to select a presidential nominee. CNN reported that “implicit” in the exploration was the possibility that Romney would try to nab the nom.  “No, no, the people who can save this party are Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio or John Kasich,” Romney said, according to a Politico write-up. “There are no circumstances I can foresee where that would possibly happen.”  “There’s no question I’m going to do everything within the normal political bounds to make sure we don’t nominate Donald Trump ... After March 15 I think you’ll see it narrow down ... I wouldn’t be surprised if I endorse one of those guys.”  “Asking for a friend” LOL ha  How many more of these do we have to sit through? Asking for a friend. #GOPdebate pic.twitter.com/AxGFlerSRW  Who do you think won the debate last night? Or are you over it already? Thanks for reading and weigh in in the comments please!
Follow us for the latest news from the trail, as Mitt Romney denies contesing the eventual GOP nominee a night after the Republican field went hard after Trump