Mitt Romney reaches out to conservative media

Mitt Romney sits down with the bloggers, RNC tries to keep Nevada from going for Paul, Newt Gingrich says he was at his best when he was visionary and Obama leads in Virginia.

Make sure to sign up to get “Afternoon Fix” in your e-mail inbox every day by 5 (ish) p.m!

EARLIER ON THE FIX:

‘The life of Julia’ shows Obama camp’s web savvy

Michele Bachmann endorses Mitt Romney

Elizabeth Warren struggles with response to Native American questions (again)

The 2012 election -- in 4 maps.

Romney ties Obama in two big swing states

The Catholic vote is the 2012 bellwether

WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED:

* Mitt and Ann Romney met Wednesday with several dozen members of the conservative media, a two-hour private get-together in which the presumptive nominee tried to win over skeptical bloggers and columnists. "The basic message I got is the primary's over and we want you on our side and working with the campaign," one attendee told Huffington Post. 

* The Republican National Committee is trying to head off a Ron Paul takeover in Nevada, warning the state party that if it sends too many Paul supporters to Tampa the delegation might not be seated. Carl Bunce, chairman of Paul's Nevada campaign, says he isn’t worried by “the 'opinion' of an establishment lawyer that supports Mitt Romney.

* Democratic House challengers raised more than their Republican counterparts in 20 competitive races during the first three months of 2012. But Republican incumbents still have more money in the bank in 16 races where their rivals outraised them in the first quarter.

* John Davis, another former aide to ex-senator John Edwards (D-N.C.) testified today about efforts to hide the affair between the presidential candidate and videographer Rielle Hunter. Davis testified that he overheard Edwards talking to wealthy supporter Fred Baron about moving Hunter around the country but told them to stop talking, because “I didn’t want to be aware of this.”

WHAT YOU SHOULDN’T MISS:

* A new Washington Post poll gives Obama a seven-point lead in Virginia, with Romney faring no better against the incumbent than he did a year ago. Obama has a wide lead with women, but the key to his lead is his advantage is with independents and self-described moderates. His overall approval rating is 53 percent.

* In a CNN interview Thursday afternoon, former House speaker Newt Gingrich told Wolf Blitzer he wished he had stuck to the big picture. “The more visionary I was, the better we were doing. “I made a mistake in bringing in traditional consultants.”

* Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) is headed home to continue his recovery from the stroke he suffered in January. Kirk will undergo outpatient therapy at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. “He has begun a rigorous walking study program to further his mobility and independence while maintaining his schedule with staff,” a statement from his office said.

* Former Pennsylvania senator Rick Santorum has endorsed Attorney General Jon Bruning in the GOP primary for Nebraska’s open Senate seat. Bruning is the clear frontrunner in fundraising and polls, but some conservatives have lined up behind state Treasurer Don Stenberg. The primary winner will face former senator Bob Kerrey (D).

THE FIX MIX:

What it’s like to live alone on an island, surrounded by giant turtles.