Mann: Money talks in Republican presidential primaries By Jonathan Mann, CNN February 1, 2012 -- Updated 1729 GMT (0129 HKT) Republican Mitt Romney cemented his frontrunner status with his victory in the Florida presidential primary on Tuesday. Republican Mitt Romney cements frontrunner status with victory in Florida presidential primary Romney gets 46% of vote, compared to 32% for Newt Gingrich and 13% for Rick Santorum Romney and his supporters collected nearly $90 million for his campaign by end of 2011, report says (CNN) -- Mitt Romney moved another big step closer to the Republican nomination for the U.S. presidency this week: a very competent candidate with a stunning amount of cash and a court ruling that will keep the funds flowing. Napoleon said god is on the side of big battalions. Voters are usually on the side of big money," said CNN political analyst Paul Begala. Romney got the support of 46 percent of Republican voters in the Florida primary election, the latest of the state-by-state votes leading to the contest against Barack Obama in November. Former lawmaker Newt Gingrich came in second with 32 percent. Two other candidates in the race were far behind. How does campaign finance compare around the world? Romney is a polished public speaker who ran for president four years ago and has spent the time since carefully preparing to do it again. He's also a multi-millionaire who seems to be a magnet for money. One report by Reuters news agency suggests he and his supporters collected nearly $90 million for his campaign by the end of 2011, with the campaign barely under way. By comparison, the Gingrich camp raised just under $15 million. The U.S. is one of many democracies that have tried to keep money from buying elections. But this is the first presidential election to be affected by a relatively new ruling by the country's Supreme Court. The court ruled in 2010 that organizations known as Super Political Action Committees, or Super-PACs, have a right to spend unlimited amounts of money to influence elections as long as they stay independent of the candidates. Hundreds of Super PACs have quickly sprung up, baking both Republicans and Democrats. In Florida, they reportedly spent even more than the presidential candidates did. "When you have that much money washing around campaigns, there will be scandals," said Senator John McCain, who defeated Romney four years ago for the Republican presidential nomination but is backing him this time. Federal officials predict that this year's elections to the White House, Congress and state offices could involve $11 billion in spending. Even without any big scandals so far, that's an awful lot of uncontrolled cash. February 1, 2012 -- Updated 0707 GMT (1507 HKT) Mitt Romney will win the Florida primary, CNN projected Tuesday in a result that will cement his front-running status. Up next: Nevada. February 1, 2012 -- Updated 1024 GMT (1824 HKT) We learned five things from Tuesday's Florida vote. Among them: Electability is a factor, and winner Mitt Romney is not Mr. Conservative. February 1, 2012 -- Updated 0129 GMT (0929 HKT) The debates played a role in Mitt Romney's win in the Florida primary, according to CNN analysts. February 1, 2012 -- Updated 0435 GMT (1235 HKT) Ralph Reed, president of the Faith and Freedom Coalition, talks to CNN's Anderson Cooper about the evangelical vote. February 1, 2012 -- Updated 1126 GMT (1926 HKT) The only thing that will keep Newt Gingrich running past Florida is ego, historian Tim Stanley observes. February 1, 2012 -- Updated 0127 GMT (0927 HKT) Critical Florida questions: How many delegates at stake? January 31, 2012 -- Updated 1514 GMT (2314 HKT) As Florida Republican operatives look past Tuesday's primary, they are clear about what it will take to carry their state in November -- winning swing voters. February 1, 2012 -- Updated 0408 GMT (1208 HKT) GOP candidate Rick Santorum talks to CNN's Wolf Blitzer about what is next for his campaign. February 1, 2012 -- Updated 0321 GMT (1121 HKT) Ron Paul congratulated Mitt Romney on his win in Florida but predicts he'll do much better in upcoming caucus states. February 1, 2012 -- Updated 0000 GMT (0800 HKT) CNN breaks down how much the candidates spent on campaign ads in Florida and how many were negative. January 31, 2012 -- Updated 2156 GMT (0556 HKT) Campaigning in the Florida primary, GOP candidates talk tough on Cuba and Cubans respond. CNN's Patrick Oppmann reports Florida GOP Sen. Marco Rubio, considered a powerful Hispanic political player, has consistently said no to having VP aspirations.