Posted on 05/08/2012 12:03:40 PM PDT by Evil Slayer
(Reuters) - Former Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum endorsed his one-time fierce rival Mitt Romney on Monday, a move that may help the party's presumptive White House nominee win over religious conservatives.
Santorum said in an unusual late-night statement that the two have differences, but that he came away from a meeting with the ex-Massachusetts governor impressed with Romney's "deep understanding" of economic and family issues central to the campaign.
"Above all else, we both agree that President (Barack) Obama must be defeated. The task will not be easy. It will require all hands on deck if our nominee is to be victorious," Santorum said.
"Governor Romney will be that nominee and he has my endorsement and support to win this the most critical election of our lifetime," he said in the statement, which was emailed to supporters.
The socially conservative former Pennsylvania senator, who won 11 state contests and was the favorite of Republican voters in a Reuters/Ipsos poll for the No. 2 spot on the ticket, is best known for his strong opposition to abortion and gay rights.
He clashed sharply with Romney in several televised debates, but his support may now help Romney win over religious conservatives before the November 6 election.
Santorum had been reluctant to give an endorsement, but he said that changed after a "clear-the-air" meeting with Romney in Pittsburgh on Friday. The question of endorsement did not come up, but Santorum said the conversation was candid and focused on issues.
"During our meeting I felt a deep responsibility to assess Governor Romney's commitment to addressing the issues most important to conservatives, as well his commitment to ensuring our appropriate representation in a Romney administration," he said.
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
Rick Santorum will be on Jay Leno’s show tonight, coming up. Rick received much applause from the audience. He is liked.
Should have said: “Rick received much applause from the audience WHEN HE WAS ANNOUNCED.”
Rick hasn’t been on yet, but coming up soon.
You make some good points, but to those I counter with it's a long way to November, and polls can change dramatically, especially since the msm works hard to influence public opinion, and they're not going to even be fair to Romney much less help him.
Money's no problem for obama; any and all enemies of America in the world will willingly pony up the necessary funds. - who will say anything? Boehner? Holder? McCain?
Anyone who cares to know knows the economy's in the sewer. Economic reports, stock and commodity prices are all manipulated to the liking of the WH. And the financial press goes right along, making sure people don't look at that man behind the curtain. I believe that the economic and financial numbers will look quite rosey in the months leading up to Nov, regardless what the real economy is doing.
Finally, obams’s ace in the hole - voter fraud. The democratic machine has a long history of that and precious few have mounted a serious challenge to prosecute or stop it. No reason to believe this time will be different.
Bottom line: we play by the rules and are accountable, the left will lie, cheat, and steal to get what they want and are not accountable. It's very hard to win under those conditions.
You make some good points too. But I didn’t say Romney was a lock, just that it’s silly to say he can’t win.
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