Celtics top Heat in offensive battle

Recording was not for the public

First Posted: 4/9/2012 DES MOINES, Iowa &amp;#8212; Mitt Romney faces a daunting to-do list as he transitions into the role of likely Republican presidential nominee. 
Among the tasks: Raise as much money as possible for the general election campaign against President Barack Obama. Hire more people and send them to the most critical states in the fall race. Hone his message to appeal to voters across the political spectrum. 
And do it all quickly while fending off challenges from GOP rivals who refuse to quit the primary race. 
Obama, with the advantages of an incumbent, is well ahead of Romney on fundraising, organization and broad pitches to voters. So Romney can be expected to spend part of his time over the next three weeks trying to catch up. There's a break in the primaries lasting until April 24, when several Northeastern states vote. 
Romney also must start thinking about a running mate and strategy to amass the 270 electoral votes needed to win the White House on Nov. 6. 
"I do think the Romney team is thinking about how they put in place their fall campaign," said Terry Nelson, a former top aide to President George W. Bush. "But they clearly have some contests to get through, so they won't be able to turn their eyes entirely to that." 
There's little question that Romney will clinch the nomination in June, if not earlier. He has a wide lead in the race for the 1,144 delegates required to secure the GOP nomination. But chief rival Rick Santorum says he'll press on at least through the end of the month. Pennsylvania, which he represented in the House and Senate, votes April 24, along with Connecticut, Delaware, New York and Rhode Island.

Romney facing a big to-do list