Newt Gringich has announced that he he will be dropping out the Republican Primary. We talk with Republican strategist Ron Christie to figure out how Newt has affected both Romney and Obama's chances in the general election, and the tradition of the meteoric candidate in American politics.       

This week we hear more about the Secret Service’s risqué public scandal in Colombia, the death of radio icon Dick Clark, the so-called war on mothers that swept the mideast, Mitt Romney’s possible veep options, and more. We're joined by Jeff Yang, who writes the Tao Jones column for Wall Street Journal and blogs for WNYC’s It's a Free Country, journalist and blogger Farai Chideya, and Ron Christie, Republican political strategist and political contributor for The Takeaway and It's a Free Country.

It's no secret that Mitt Romney has a bit of an image problem with the American public. In an ABC News/Washington Post poll released late last month, the presumed Republican nominee had the lowest favorability rating of any major Presidential contender since the poll's launch. But in the past week, the campaign has begun to reorient itself. Explaining the Romney campaign's reorientation is Anna Sale, reporter for It's A Free Country, and Ron Christie, republican strategist and Takeaway contributor.

Every Friday, The Takeaway convenes a panel to look back at the week's big stories. This week we hear more about the arrest of Trayvon Martin shooter George Zimmerman, Rick Santorum's exit of the GOP presidential nomination race, Miami Marlins' Ozzie Guillen's foot-in-mouth disease, and more. This week we're joined by Mary Elizabeth Williams, staff writer for Salon, journalist and blogger Farai Chideya, and Ron Christie, Republican political strategist and political contributor for The Takeaway and It's a Free Country.

Despite his best efforts, Santorum always seemed to be two steps behind the Republican front-runner, Mitt Romney. And yesterday, he announced that he’d no longer try to catch up. Weighing in on Santorum's decision are Todd Zwillich, The Takeaway's Washington correspondent, Ron Christie, Takeaway contributor and Republican political strategist, and Karen Martin, organizer of Spartanburg Tea Party, who previously told us she was hoping for "anyone but Romney" but now her perspective has changed.

Every Friday, The Takeaway convenes a panel to look back at the week's big stories. This week we hear more anger stemming from the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, the significance of Mitt Romney's recent primary wins, and what's left of Yahoo after a mass layoff. This week we're joined by author and blogger Jeff Yang, journalist and blogger Farai Chideya and Republican political strategist Ron Christie.

Tonight's primary results may ultimately decide the fate of the GOP nomination contest. If Mitt Romney wins Wisconsin, he may effectively seal the deal and his inevitability will likely go unquestioned. But if Rick Santorum can pull out a victory in the Badger State, all eyes will be on the nominating contest in the former Senator's home state of Pennsylvania three weeks later. We're joined by Takeaway Washington correspondent Todd Zwillich and Republican Strategist and Takeaway Contributor Ron Christie.

This week the Supreme Court’s scrutiny of President Obama’s signature piece of legislation dominated the headlines, but it wasn’t the only story out there. Anger over the perceived lack of justice in the Trayvon Martin shooting case continues to sweep the nation, and the controversial film "Bully" got bullied by the ratings board. These stories and more are covered by our panel of Kai Wright, Editor of Colorlines, Ron Christie, Republican political strategist, and Art Caplan of the University of Pennsylvania.

At a White House press conference on Friday, President Obama was asked to comment on the Trayvon Martin case. Ron Christie, Takeaway contributor and Republican political strategist says President Obama overstepped in his remarks. Xilla, an editor at Global Grinder, says the president's remarks were appropriate — and deeply moving.

Every Friday, The Takeaway assembles a panel of cultural and political experts to chew over the past week's stories. This week's panel includes Latoya Peterson, editor of Racilicious.com, Ibrahim Abdul-Matin, Takeaway sports contributor, and Ron Christie, Takeaway contributor and Republican political strategist.

The day after Mitt Romney took 54 delegates in Illinois, Rick Santorum has set his sights on Pennsylvania, where he served two terms as Senator. His speech last night from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, sought to define himself as the anti-businessman and the anti-Romney. But even if Santorum wins Pennsylvania on April 24th, would it be enough to win the delegate war?

Every Friday, The Takeaway convenes a panel to look back at the week's big stories. This week Rick Santorum wins Alabama and Mississippi, March Madness sweeps the country, and liquid detergent becomes a black market commodity.

Coming up... a conversation beyond the bid for the Republican presidential nomination. Who will be running as the Republican's VP in 2012? Ron Christie and Jennifer Rubin join The Takeaway.

More than halfway through the Republican primaries, there is still no clear frontrunner. It's a three-way race with four men running, and the guy that no one paid any attention to last year keeps walking away with primary victories. Our expert political panel examines last night’s Republican primary election results and discuss what Mississippi and Alabama's wins may mean for the GOP race ahead. 

Super Tuesday results aren't just about state-by-state winners and losers -- or about securing delegates. They're also a crucial barometer of what matters to voters and why. Detailed exit polls results from contests around the country paint a complex picture about what issues voters of different demographics are most passionate about and who they believe will be represent their interests.  

There were the Michigan and Arizona primaries, growing debate over contraception, the retirement of Olympia Snowe, and the sudden death of Andrew Breitbart. These stories and more will be covered by our weekly Friday panel which includes Katie Halper, blogger at katielhalper.com, Farai Chideya, a journalist and blogger at Farai.com, and Ron Christie, Republican political strategist, CEO of Christie Strategies, and former special assistant to President George W. Bush.

In a surprising move, Maine Senator Olympia Snowe announced on Tuesday that she will not pursue a fourth term in November. One of the three Republicans to support president Obama's 2009 stimulus package, Snowe cited the senate's "atmosphere of polarization" as one of the reasons she decided not to run. Her departure is yet another sign that moderates are less influential in D.C.

The Romney campaign may be breathing a sigh of relief this morning. A loss in Mitt's home state would have been devastating, which makes the victory all the sweeter. Rick Santorum came close to pulling off a coup, but in the end Romney won with 41 percent of the votes. It was more decisive in Arizona and that means Romney had a very good night.

The NYPD has been monitoring Muslims. Affirmative Action is under attack. A Koran was burned in Afghanistan sparks protests. The GOP primary race roles on, and Rick Santorum believes in Satan. These stories and more will be covered by our panel which includes Kai Wright, editor of Colorlines, Farai Chideya, a journalist and blogger at Farai.com, and Ron Christie, Republican political strategist, CEO of Christie Strategies, and former special assistant to President George W. Bush.

It has been four long weeks since the last Republican debate. Wednesday's debate was a battle between two men — Rick Santorum and Mitt Romney — who are neck-to-neck in the race for the presidential nomination. How did Rick Santorum fare under duress in the 20th debate of the GOP contest? Can Mitt get his momentum back? Ron Christie, Takeaway contributor and Republican political strategist, reviews the winners and losers of the last GOP debate.