NBC News: Gingrich Ending Bid for President

WASHINGTON (NBC/AP) – NBC News has learned that Newt Gingrich will suspend his campaign for president next Tuesday.

The former House Speaker acknowledged during a campaign event this morning that Romney “is ultimately going to be the nominee,” while claiming he would have been the better GOP candidate.

Two advisers Gingrich say he will likely to endorse Mitt Romney.

Gingrich had pinned his hopes on a surprise showing in Delaware but fell short.  Gingrich said, “You have to, at some point, be honest about what’s happening in the real world as opposed to what you would like to have happen.  Romney had a very good day yesterday. He got 67% in one state, 63% in another, 62% in another. You have to give him some credit. This guy has worked 6 years, put together a big machine and has put together a serious campaign. I think obviously that I would be a better candidate. But the objective fact is the voters didn’t think that.”  His decision to officially shut down the effort comes as Romney has a lock on the GOP nomination.

Gingrich’s advisers spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity given the sensitivity of the situation.

Gingrich won two states, Georgia and South Carolina, after surviving a near-collapse of his campaign last summer.  NBC News reports Gingrich had accumulated 137 delegates.