Romney Seals The Deal! Finally!

CHARLESTON, SC - DECEMBER 17: Republican presidential candidate former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney speaks during a town hall meeting at the Memminger Auditorium on December 17, 2011 in Charleston, South Carolina. Romney is attempting to boost the momentum of his campaign following the conservative endorsement of South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley. (Photo by Richard Ellis/Getty Images) (2011 Getty Images)

This is it. Today, Willard Mitt Romney goes where no semi-Mexican Mormon has gone before. When the votes are tallied in Texas, Romney should officially become the Republican nominee for president sometime tonight.

Forgot presumptive. Forget putative. Forget probable. Tonight, when Texas doles out its 155 delegates, that will push Romney over the 1,144 he needs to clinch the title, and transform himself from front-runner to official nominee.

The designation comes a little late. The battle between Romney and President Obama began weeks ago, after it was clear there were no real contenders left to challenge the former Massachusetts governor.