Romney issues challenge to GOP

Mitt Romney is challenging fellow Republicans in an open letter to get their own house in order so they can change Washington and retake the White House.

Following up on a new TV spot this week with a similar theme, the letter will run as a full-page ad in the New Hampshire Union Leader on Sunday and on Monday in Roll Call, the Capitol Hill newspaper. The letter will also be sent to Republican National Committee members and supporters, Romney's campaign said this afternoon.

In the letter, Romney writes that "at this extraordinary moment in our nation's history, our government is failing us. Washington is busy pointing fingers, assigning blame, and spending too much money. There is too much talk and too little action.

"The blame, we must admit, does not belong to just one party," he continues. "If we're going to change Washington, Republicans have to put our own house in order."

He then goes on to mention spending, immigration, and ethics. The ad and letter represent the fine line Romney is trying to walk between talking tough about his party's mistakes, yet embracing core GOP tenets in his presidential bid.