The Note's Must-Reads are a round-up of today's political headlines and stories from ABC News and the top U.S. newspapers. Posted Monday through Friday right here at www.abcnews.com

Compiled by ABC News' Jayce Henderson, Amanda VanAllen, Carrie Halperin and Erin McLaughlin

NEWT GINGRICH ABC News' Elicia Dover: " Gingrich Talks Makeup with High School Girls, Puts on a New Face about the Nomination" Speaking to high school students in N.C., Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich put on a new face Monday when talking about his bid for the nomination, proving he knows a little bit about putting on makeup while trying to explain personalized healthcare to the group of 16 to 18 year-olds. When asked by a student reporter what he thought about his chances at the nomination, Gingrich said, "I think it's uphill. It's a challenge. I think I have a shot at it, but it's uphill." LINK

MITT ROMNEY ABC News' Gary Langer: " Romney Solidifies GOP Position but Obama Gets Boost From Women" A widening gender gap, modest economic gains, an edge on key issues and broad advantages in personal popularity are boosting Barack Obama's re-election prospects. Yet Mitt Romney, moving to close the deal in his own party, holds opportunities of his own for the road ahead. LINK

The New York Times' Trip Gabriel and Katharine Seelye: " A Shift in Strategy in Pennsylvania for Romney" Mitt Romney's attempt to pull off a victory in Rick Santorum's home state of Pennsylvania was all set to go into overdrive Monday with attack ads highlighting how voters there soundly rejected him in his 2006 Senate race.  LINK

The Hill's Alexander Bolton: " Norquist confident Romney won't flip despite Buffett Rule pressure" Grover Norquist says he is confident Mitt Romney will firmly reject the Democrats' "Buffett Rule."Norquist, president of the conservative advocacy group Americans for Tax Reform, dismissed predictions by Senate Democratic leaders that Romney, the presumptive GOP presidential nominee, will pressure Senate Republicans to move to the center on tax policy. LINK

The Wall Street Journal's Patrick O'Connor: " Tax Day Promises More Scrutiny for Romney" It's tax time and that means more scrutiny for GOP presidential front-runner Mitt Romney. The former private-equity executive sought to quell a brewing firestorm earlier this year by releasing his competed tax return for 2010 and a projected estimate for 2011. LINK

Politico's MJ Lee: " Herman Cain to Mitt Romney: Pick Allen West for vice president" Herman Cain is calling on Mitt Romney to name Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.) his vice presidential nominee. Asked on the "Steve Gill Show" on Monday who he would recommend if Romney were to come to him for advice on the running mate decision, Cain answered without skipping a beat, "Col. Allen West out of Florida." LINK

PRESIDENT OBAMA The Washington Post's Dan Balz and Jon Cohen: " Obama holds key leads on Romney, as economy malaise looms over reelection bid" With the general-election campaign beginning to take shape, President Obama holds clear advantages over Mitt Romney on personal attributes and a number of key issues, but remains vulnerable to discontent with the pace of the economic recovery, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll. LINK

The Washington Times' Dave Boyer: " Obama renews call for 'Buffet rule' tax on millionaires" The White House and President Obama's re-election team launched a simultaneous offensive Monday to pressure Republican senators to approve the so-called "Buffett rule," a tax increase on income over $1 million. LINK

RICK SANTORUM The Los Angeles Times' Paul West: " It's do or die for Rick Santorum in Pennsylvania" Rick Santorum is back on familiar ground, seeking redemption and a lifeline for his presidential candidacy in the state that rejected him almost six years ago. The former senator from Pennsylvania has resurrected his career after a shattering 2006 reelection defeat. Dismissed as a hopeless long shot when his presidential run began, he'll finish no worse than second for the Republican nomination. LINK

SANTORUM/ROMNEY USA Today's Catalina Camia: " Romney pulls TV ad while Santorum tends to sick child" Mitt Romney is pulling a negative TV ad from Pennsylvania "out of deference" to Rick Santorum, who is off the campaign trail today to be with his ailing daughter. The Santorum campaign announced over the weekend that the GOP presidential candidate would spend time with his wife and youngest daughter, who was hospitalized Friday. LINK

Bloomberg's Lisa Lerer: " Santorum Child's Illness Prompts Romney to Pull Attack Ad" Mitt Romney's presidential campaign pulled an attack ad set to air in Pennsylvania targeting Rick Santorum, responding to the Republican rival's decision to suspend politicking after the hospitalization of his daughter. "Stations will comply with this request as soon as they are technically able," Romney spokeswoman Andrea Saul said in a statement. LINK

OBAMA/ROMNEY The New York Daily News' Alison Gendar: " Latest poll shows President Obama beating Romney among independent voters in about a dozen swing states" President Obama's show of strength involved more than just his arms and chest Monday - he led GOP rival Mitt Romney in the latest survey of critical "swing" voters. Obama dropped and did a few pushups as part of the White House's annual Easter Egg Roll, an exercise-friendly event. LINK

FUNDRAISING Boston Globe's Brian C. Mooney: " Fund-raising game upended in 2012 race" As the general election for president unofficially begins, its funding will be marked by two firsts: For the first time in the post-Watergate era, neither candidate will use public funds, and the super PACs created as a result of a 2010 Supreme Court ruling will have their first chance to wield their unlimited contributions from wealthy individuals, corporations, and labor unions as the nation selects a president. The vast majority of seven-figure checks is gushing into Republican coffers, making some Democrats nervous. LINK

ABC NEWS VIDEOS " Santorum Suspends Campaign for Daughter's Health; Biden's New Twitter Account" LINK

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