On this day in 1943 American forces won the battle of Guadalcanal, as Japanese forces withdrew from the island. On to today's top stories:

"As Romney Exits, McCain Seeks Unity" (Elisabeth Bumiller and David Kirkpatrick, New York Times) It was probably one of the more lively CPACs in recent memory -- the conservatives' choice for president (who didn't get their support until there was no one left) dropped out amid much lamentation, while the "no-way-in-heck" candidate got some enthusiastic applause. And so the GOP enters the next phase.

"Clinton Focuses on Matchup vs. McCain" (Bill Turque and Katherine Shaver, Washington Post) A bit premature? Perhaps, but now that both Hillary and Obama have a definite GOP target they can legitimately start doing what the parties do best: Bash each other.

"As Romney Quits, Right Is Still Wary of McCain" (Elizabeth Holmes, Alex Frangos and Jackie Calmes, Wall Street Journal) Giving a single speech at CPAC, no matter how well-received, won't win conservatives over. But the right is desperate to rally behind a standard-bearer to confront whomever wins among the Democrats -- and either candidate will prove a formidable opponent. One usually rallies the base in the primaries, then rallies the middle -- McCain is doing the reverse.

"Huckabee on Track to Play the Spoiler" (Ralph Hallow, Washington Times) With the exception of McCain, Mike Huckabee has run the most successful campaign in the GOP. The pressure for him to bow-out relatively soon will build, but reporter Hallow sees a chance for Huckabee to be this season's Pat Buchanan, who in 1992 challenged a sitting president. Given the warm fuzzies McCain and Huckabee have exchanged, that looks unlikely, but Huckabee won't be leaving with empty pockets.

"Obama, Clinton Report Big Internet Cash Influx" (Fredreka Schouten, Jill Lawrence and Rick Jervis, USA Today) Obama has raised $7.5 million online since Super Tuesday, while Clinton, who had to inject her campaign with $5 million in January, has raised $6.4 million, which has allowed some senior aides to go back on the payroll.

"Romney's Run Was Dogged by Miscalculations" (Michael Luo, New York Times) As reporter Luo notes, Romney was never quite able to overcome the perception that his turn to conservatism was opportunistic. What we saw happen with conservatives in the final week of his campaign, with talk-radio hosts suddenly pumping his candidacy, is what the campaign had hoped for a year ago. It finally happened, it just happened too late.

"Obama Mania Arrives in Omaha" (Robynn Tysver, Omaha World-Herald) Following Super Tuesday, we're back to focusing on individual states, and, importantly for Daily 2008 readers, local coverage. Tomorrow Nebraska goes to the polls, which is why Obama was in Omaha.

"Bill Clinton to Campaign in New Orleans on Friday" (New Orleans Times-Picayune) Bill Clinton will be traveling around Louisiana today campaigning for his wife, who is not expected to visit the state until Saturday's primaries.

"Obama, Clinton Put Focus on Maine" (Paul Carrier, Portland Press Herald) And to round-out our look at the local coverage, we travel to Maine, where the Democratic candidates are expected to campaign on Saturday, in advance of the state's caucuses on Sunday.

Get today's other election stories at RCP's Politics and Election page.