Political Roundup: Huntsman, Perry Drop Out; Gingrich Courts Palin; Romney's Off-shore Money

Rick Perry drops out of the GOP race.

Here's a quick look at the stories that are making political headlines right now:

Rick Perry ends GOP bid, endorses Newt Gingrich: Rick Perry ended his presidential campaign Thursday and endorsed Newt Gingrich for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination at a press conference in South Carolina. "Newt is not perfect, but who among us is?" Perry said. "The fact is, there is forgiveness for those who seek God." It seemed to be a reference to Gingrich's personal life, which were put back in the spotlight Thursday by his second ex-wife, Marianne, who told ABC News that her ex-husband had asked her for an open marriage after admitting to a six-year-long affair with Callista Bisek, who is now his third wife.

Gingrich says he'd ask Sarah Palin to play a major role in his administration: Former GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin has long been a Newt Gingrich supporter, and CNN's Wolf Blitzer asked Gingrich what many others are wondering: Is Palin on Gingrich's short list for a potential running mate? Gingrich didn't confirm or deby, but did say this: "Certainly, she's one of the people I'd call on for advice. I would ask her to consider taking a major role in the next administration if I'm president, but nothing has been discussed of any kind."

Huntsman ends presidential campaign, endorses Romney : Earlier this week, Jon Huntsman announced that he would drop out of the GOP race. "I believe it is now time for our party to unite around the candidate best equipped to defeat Barack Obama," the former Utah governor and U.S. ambassador to China said during a news conference in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on Monday. "Despite our differences and the space between us on some of the issues, I believe that candidate is Governor Mitt Romney."

Rick Santorum really won in Iowa: According to a final certified tally released Thursday by the Iowa GOP, Rick Santorum beat Mitt Romney by 34 votes in the caucuses earlier this month. Previous reports had Romney ahead by eight votes. Worth noting: Results from several precincts are missing and the final numbers may never be known, officials said.

Mitt Romney has millions of dollars in off-shore accounts: Though you can't tell from his financial disclosure form, and he hasn't yet released his tax returns, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney has millions of dollars stashed in investment funds set up in the Cayman Islands, a new report shows. "I can tell you we follow the tax laws," Romney said recently in New Hampshire. "And if there's an opportunity to save taxes, we like anybody else in this country will follow that opportunity."

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