Bloggers react to the late-breaking news that Mitt Romney has dropped out of the presidential race and that Hillary had loaned her cash-starved campaign $5 million. Also, the archbishop of Canterbury has argued that some form of sharia—a legal system adjudicated in Islamic courts—is "unavoidable" in the United Kingdom.

Mitt Quits: Speaking before the American Conservative Union this afternoon, Mitt Romney ended his bid for the White House, citing the need for the GOP to have an early candidate in the race against Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. (Technically, Romney has merely "suspended" his campaign, meaning that he has simply stopped spending money but still retains the delegates he has won.) He did not endorse the inevitable nominee, John McCain.

"Fat old man" at Daily Kos is bummed: "This is a small piece of bad news I believe. I think we're much better off with the Republican fight being as nasty as possible and Romney was just wonderful in that regard." Michael Link at the Democratic Party blog writes: "As somebody in the office just noted, it's Romney's last flip-flop."

The Weekly Standard's Brian Faughnan was at the Conservative Political Action Conference. He blogs at the Daily Standard: "As I type this, I've just returned from the ballroom where Laura Ingraham is introducing Mitt Romney. The room is shut down -- filled to capacity -- literally. People seem stunned to hear that Romney has pulled out... or will pull out. McCain's people here are eagerly spreading the word that Kevin Madden has confirmed Romney's withdrawal. And there seem to be more McCain people here as the day goes on -- young and old."

Steven C. Clemons at the Washington Note hopes the GOP front-runner is at least graceful in victory: "Now, will McCain pay tribute to him? Or kick his tail as he exits the stage? Watch for a McCain/Huckabee ticket now -- and as consolation prize, perhaps Romney will get to be Ambassador to the Court of St. James if the GOP wins in November."

Matthew Yglesias notes: "A bit of campaigning against token opposition from Mike Huckabee should allow conservative elites to reconcile themselves a bit to John McCain, since that crowd seems to hate Huckabee more."

Mark Hemingway at NRO's the Corner wishes Romney had shown half as much vitality on the stump as he did today. "[I]t would behoove McCain to reach out to Romney starting now if he hasn't already. Despite their personal differences and sharp elbows in the campaign, Romney has now made it clear that it's necessary to support McCain. He's too big an asset for McCain to ignore and not utilize."

Time's Mark Halperin at the Page has 10 things Romney could have done differently. Here are the top three: "1. Could have run less as a social conservative and more as a can-do technocrat. 2. Could have delivered his religion and faith speech earlier in his campaign. 3. Could have run negative ads against McCain (backlash and ire be darned)."

Jon Bruner at Forbes' Trailwatch asks: "Romney's financial situation also brings to mind Hillary Clinton, who has recently loaned her campaign several million dollars. How far might she go in bankrolling her own effort?"

Read more about Romney's ended campaign.