Heck: Time for Gingrich to go

Rep. Joe Heck, who backed Mitt Romney in 2008 and signed on again early in this election cycle,  told reporters today that  Romney's convincing showing in the Nevada caucuses should signal Newt Gingrich to the door.

"I hope he takes the message that it's time to withdraw gracefully and not continue to divide the party," Heck said, according to a report on CNN.com.

At caucus sites, voters were urged to unite behind whoever the Republican nominee will be. "I hope the speaker takes that to heart," Heck said, as Romney took another step to the GOP presidential nomination.

According to CNN, Heck was not as insistent that Ron Paul should withdraw.

Separately, during an appearance on MSNBC's Hardball, host Chris Matthews challenged Heck on whether it was smart for Romney to accept an endorsement from Donald Trump. 

The former Massachusetts governor was knocked off track during the week after being forced to take back a comment about the poor.  So, Matthews asked, was it harmful for Romney to be associated with Trump, another rich person sometimes accused of being out of touch.

"I don't think it is going to make any difference," Heck said. "Donald is a successful businessperson as is the governor, so he's happy to take endorsements from everybody who wants to come on board Team Romney.

"It's just another endorsement in a long list of endorsements the governor has racked up," Heck said.  "It's just another person in the corner of the governor as we move forward into November."