As a long-time Santorum supporter, I’m not surprised at all by this. I was expecting it sooner or later.
I’ve said before, and I will reiterate, that even if Rick is the choice for VP, I still will not support Romney—primarily because of Romney’s record (and non-record) on social issues. I view him as the enemy.
Nevertheless, I understand Rick’s viewpoint. (Plus, it would have been political suicide to do otherwise.)
I have to run, but, for those who are interested, here is the full text of the e-mail:
“Thank you again for all you did as one of my strongest and committed supporters. Your belief in our campaign helped us start a movement of Americans who believe deeply that our best days are ahead as long as we fight to strengthen our families, unshackle our economy and promote freedom here and around the world. Karen and I will be forever grateful for the support, kindness and commitment you showed us, as well as our children, over these last months.
On Friday, Governor Romney came to Pittsburgh for an over-hour long one-on-one meeting. The conversation was candid, collegial and focused on the issues that you helped me give voice to during our campaign; because I believe they are essential ingredients to not only winning this fall, but turning our country around.
While the issue of my endorsement did not come up, I certainly have heard from many of you who have weighed in on whether or not I should issue a formal endorsement. Thank you for your counsel, it has been most helpful. However, I felt that it was completely impossible for me to even consider an endorsement until after a meeting to discuss issues critical to those of us who often feel our voices are not heard by the establishment: social conservatives, tea-party supporters, lower and middle income working families.
Clearly without the overwhelming support from you all, I never would have won 11 states and over 3 million votes, and we would not have won more counties than all the other candidates combined. I can assure you that even though I am no longer a candidate for president, I will still continue to fight every day for our shared values - the values that made America the greatest country in the history of the world.
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.
The family and its foundational role in America’s economic success, a central point of our campaign, was discussed at length. I was impressed with the Governor’s deep understanding of this connection and his commitment to economic policies that preserve and strengthen families. He clearly understands that having pro-family initiatives are not only the morally and economically right thing to do, but that the family is the basic building block of our society and must be preserved.
I also shared with Governor Romney my belief that we cannot restore America as the greatest economic engine the world has ever seen until we return America to being a manufacturing superpower. He listened very carefully to my advice on this matter, and while our policy prescriptions differed, he clearly expressed his desire to create more opportunities for those that are feeling left behind in this economy.
As it is often said, “personnel is policy.” I strongly encouraged Governor Romney as he builds out his campaign staff and advisors that he add more conservative leaders as an integral part of his team. And you can be sure that I will work with the Governor to help him in this task to ensure he has a strong team that will support him in his conservative policy initiatives.
Of course we talked about what it would take to win this election. As you know I started almost every speech with the phrase that this was the most important election since the election of 1860 and four more years of President Obama is simply not an option. As I contemplated what further steps I will take, that reality weighed heavy on me. The America we know is being fundamentally changed to look more like a European socialist state than the land of opportunity our founding fathers established.
Freedom and personal responsibility are being replaced with big government dependency. The greatest and most productive workers in the world are being hamstrung by excessive regulations making it impossible to compete. Our healthcare system had been socialized, and the worth of each life dictated by some government bureaucrat. Our allies are insulted while our enemies are appeased. And our religious beliefs and freedom have come under attack.
What is even more troubling is what a second term of an Obama administration could bring. President Obama’s admission to the Russians that he will have more flexibility in a second term can only be translated to “if you thought I was liberal in the first four years you haven’t seen anything yet!”
The primary campaign certainly made it clear that Governor Romney and I have some differences. But there are many significant areas in which we agree: the need for lower taxes, smaller government, and a reduction in out-of-control spending. We certainly agree that abortion is wrong and marriage should be between one man and one woman. I am also comfortable with Governor Romney on foreign policy matters, and we share the belief that we can never allow Iran to possess nuclear weapons. And while I had concerns about Governor Romney making a case as a candidate about fighting against Obamacare, I have no doubt if elected he will work with a Republican Congress to repeal it and replace it with a bottom up, patient, not government, driven system.
Above all else, we both agree that President Obama must be defeated. The task will not be easy. It will require all hands on deck if our nominee is to be victorious. Governor Romney will be that nominee and he has my endorsement and support to win this the most critical election of our lifetime.
My conversation with Governor Romney was very productive, but I intend to keep lines of communication open with him and his campaign. I hope to ensure that the values that made America that shining city on the hill are illuminated brightly by our party and our candidates thus ensuring not just a victory, but a mandate for conservative governance.
Karen and I know firsthand how difficult the campaign trail can be particularly as governor Romney faces relentless attacks from the democrats. We have been praying for him and his family and will continue to do so in the weeks and months ahead.
Thank you again for all you have done for us, and I look forward to working together to defeat President Obama this fall and to protect faith, family, freedom and opportunity in America.
With Gratitude,
Rick Santorum
P.S. As promised, very soon we will be making another big announcement, and I will be asking you to once again join forces with me to keep up the fight, together. Stay tuned.”
How sad for Rick and all of his family! Won’t change my vote. I will still NEVER vote for Romney any more than I would vote for Obama.
Romney cannot, and should not, win.
Romney is the WHITE OBAMA (and worse since he
is not accountable, like Obama will shortly be).
Romney is a SURE LOSS.
Santorum is now shown to be an idiot.
Another reason to be done with the rino party. Even the “principled” conservatives aren’t principled.
ABOR
Didnt he already endorse Obama?
The former candidateS are stuck with the severe conservative (lib/prog poser) as the nom like everyone else.
Shows Rick to be just another slavish devotee of the GOP-e. Glad he dropped out.
I knew this was coming. Obama MUST go.
..seems like everyone is now hitching their wagon to the Mitt star— which will prove to be a meteorite in November...
OH NO!!! Rick endorsed the evil RINO Mormon. Head for cover to avoid debris from exploding heads. :P
After all, a RINO Mormon is much worse than a closet Muslim, Sharia Law loving Marxist.
Translation: He needs help paying off his campaign debt, and Romney has promised to help him in exchange for his endorsement.
And so, the sellout of conservatism is complete for another four years. Unfortunate, but hardly surprising.
But hey, we can all get excited about who the show pony conservative VP nominee will be, right?
Hello? McFly?
What do you Rick fanatics think of him NOW???
Well, shoot.
Wish I’d heard about this before I voted this morning.
I voted for Santorum because I was under the impression that he was the only sane non-Romney who had NOT yet endorsed Romney.
If I’d seen this before voting, I’d have broke down and voted for Ron Paul.
The way he did this is about the stupidest thing I’ve ever seen for a politician.
Once it becomes apparent that you lost and there are no other options on the table, the smart thing is to either endorse immediately or declare immediately that you’re sitting it out.
By delaying, he has managed to look indecisive and to piss off everyone. I knew there was a reason I never liked that wimp.
Too bad I can't take my vote back.
Now I see nothings changed. Even though Rick has suspended his campaign, the romney fanatics are still trashing Rick. Rick is not today what he was 20 or even 10 years ago. Rick has grown more conservative over the years. That is a good thing. We are should strive to become better people and being more conservative is better, unless your a “GOP” lover more than you love God, your family and your values.
This not about Rick anymore. He 1000x better than the liberal liar that brought the nomination. Someone commented on another thread that romney won square and fair so deal with it. If romney had won fair and square, conservatives would be dealing with this so much better, but he did NOT win fair and square. With the help of gop insiders; coulter, fox, rove, drudge......(they helped romney and hurt his opponents in the same way that the liberal media we can't stand, helps the democrats and hurts republicans). Basically, the the GOP said, we pick who you will vote for, you get no choice. Between paying for endorsements and destroying good people to win at all cost (the ends justifies the means is a communist/marxist tactic). Romney cheated in several states, he lied on what he stands for so many times he can't keep his lies straight. He is pro-gay marriage (He told gay groups it would take a republican to get gay marriage in this country and he's going try).....the reasons I won't vote for him are so many....he said he does not have to reach out to conservatives, that we will vote for him. That makes my no vote for romney so much sweeter, along with those here who trash us for not voting for there hitler because he is so much better than stalin.
You can't have it both ways; your either conservative and all that goes with it or your not. Don't call yourself conservative if you are voting for someone who is for cap and trade, tarp, bailouts, abortion, gay marriage,.....
For true conservatives, don't you see what is happening? obama has moved left and the gop thinks they need to move left, so they want us to now be what democrats were. The democrats are so left and instead and pointing out that obvious fact; the gop wants to fill the old democrat void. THAT is purely politics. It has NOTHING to do with what is right and wrong. They are not using common sense. Polls show 40% of the country are conservative.
Let's not play games, romney has made it clear with his lies he is NOT going to help pro-lifers or any pro-family issues. He says he will, but his actions speak. Pushing gay marriage when he did not have to is NOT conservative and all lies. Just watch. Romney will not repeal obamacare, he will replace it with obamacare lite.
The reason for my long tirade is to speak to conservatives. The gop HAS to be polling-not the fake polls like the fake unemployment numbers, but real polls. I've been on other republican sites and see that there are A LOT of conservatives who are ticked at the gop sticking us with liberal romney. They don't like romney and many are staying home voting only the rest of the ticket. If the gop see they can't win without conservatives, they have to do something. We need to let us voice be heard at the convention. Are they more set on romney or winning? I would say winning; they did not hold out for values. I don't know what will happen, but something better happen to change things. Romney can't win; obama is a better cheater than him. I do support Rick, or even Newt, but I know they are not the perfect candidates. This is not about one person, but will the conservatives vote like slaves for someone who was picked for us, and someone who has no problem lying, cheating, stealing.... I get to vote next week and will vote for Rick and real conservatives. I have never voted for a social liberal and won't start now. I have to stand before God and answer for my votes one day. My soul is not for sale.
No one should be surprised at this and those who supported Santorum - your votes go to Mitt. Just like I said their plan was all along - since ‘08. He’s just being Rick ‘in action’ and what conservatives want to hear ‘in talk’ to dupe them.