Romney sweeps 5 GOP primaries, moves closer to presidential nomination

Meanwhile, news outlets report on criticism aimed at Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and action in congressional races in Arizona and Pennsylvania. 

The Wall Street Journal/Associated Press: Romney Sweeps 5 Wins, Promises 'Better America'
In his remarks, Romney spoke dismissively of Obama's tenure in office. "Government is at the center of his vision. It dispenses the benefits, borrows what it cannot take and consumes a greater and greater share of the economy," he said. He added that if the president's hard-won health care law is fully installed, "government will continue to control half the economy, and we will have effectively ceased to be a free enterprise society" (4/24).

Kaiser Health News: Video: In Victory Speech, Romney Goes After Health Law
As Mitt Romney celebrated his primary night wins in Connecticut, Delaware, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania and New York, he attacked the Affordable Care Act and the president. KHN has video clips and a transcript of his comments (4/25).

RollCall: Vocal Conservatives Blame Mitch McConnell
Behind every tea party defeat in the Senate lurks Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.)  -; at least according to a small but vocal band of conservative activists. Led by RedState.com's Erick Erickson, some in the Republican Party's conservative wing have blamed McConnell for just about everything they view as wrong with Washington, D.C. From the GOP's failure to block President Barack Obama's health care law to Sen. Ron Johnson's (Wis.) defeat in the race for Conference vice chairman at the hands of Sen. Roy Blunt (Mo.), these activists and commentators see McConnell's quiet hand (Drucker, 4/25).

Arizona Republic: 5 Candidates Square Off In GOP Congress Debate
The five Republican candidates running to represent Congressional District 9 faced each other Tuesday night in their first debate... Health care is a not right for Americans, they said, and competition among insurance companies should drive down costs, not legislation such as President Barack Obama's health- care reform (Sanders, 4/24).

Politico: Jason Altimire, Tim Holden Fall In Pennsylvania Primaries
Two conservative Democrats who voted against the president's health care plan went down in defeat Tuesday, falling victim to primary opponents who cast them as far out of step with their party. Redistricting played a role in both defeats. Pennsylvania Rep. Jason Altmire lost to Rep. Mark Critz, a fellow Democrat who was drawn into the same southwestern Pennsylvania district. Across the state, veteran Democratic Rep. Tim Holden lost re-nomination in a seat that had been dramatically redrawn (Isenstadt, 4/25).