Washington (CNN) -- "Excited" after a meeting Thursday with Mitt Romney, tea party favorite Sen. Jim DeMint urged fellow Republicans to be realistic and rally around the party's eventual nominee, making his plea the same day the ex-governor's chief rival suggested voters would be as well off with President Barack Obama as they would Romney. In addition to fundraising events, Romney was in Washington to hold talks with DeMint as well as legislators from Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, which hold primaries next month. The legislators included House Budget Committee chairman Paul Ryan, according to GOP aides. "I'm not only comfortable with Romney, I'm excited about the possibility of him possibly being our nominee," said DeMint, a well known conservative, claiming he was impressed by Romney but stopping short of giving him a full endorsement.
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NEW: Rick Santorum says "we might as well stay" with Obama if Romney will be similar
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NEW: A "disappointed" Romney says any Republican would be better than Obama
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Sen. Jim DeMint, an influential conservative, suggests other candidates bow out
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The Louisiana primary Saturday is the next contest in the Republican presidential race
This apparent call for unity contrasted sharply with the message offered Thursday by @placeholder, who has been Romney's foremost challenger in large part thanks to support from conservative voters.