Conservatives: Time to rally around a not-Romney

Associated Press ^ | Jan 5, 5:08 PM EST | LAURIE KELLMAN

[Hunton Peck]

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Conservative leaders say it's time to rally behind a single Republican presidential candidate - and fast - to prevent Mitt Romney from winning the GOP nomination.

The former Massachusetts governor narrowly won the Iowa caucuses after conservatives split their support among Rick Santorum, Newt Gingrich and Rick Perry. Now, some conservative leaders are talking about a group endorsement...

[Hunton Peck]

Some AP folks been reading FR?

[rhombus]

Some AP folks been reading FR?

They don't have to, it's been obvious for long time but it's like herding cats.

[Grunthor]

I am perfectly happy with a narrowing of this field sooner rather than later.

Santorum/Ryan 2012.

[trumandogz]

Perry and Gingrich need to get out of Santorum’s way.

[txmissy]

That was my first thought. LOL

[Jim Scott]

You know it’s an AP report when they mention that Santorum has made negative comments about ‘gay marriage’ and claim this poses a ‘problem’ for conservatives. Talk about projection!

[VanDeKoik]

Newt/Santorum

Rick can deal with Biden

[VanDeKoik]

“Perry and Gingrich need to get out of Santorum’s way.”

I’m sorry, but what merits Santorum needing people to get behind him? Because he tied Romney in Iowa?

He doesn’t deserve a coronation for that no more than Romney deserves one for being a RINO.

If he wants someone to get out of the way, he is going to have to earn it.

[Grunthor]

“He added: “Nor is it a stop-Romney meeting.”

Why the hell not?

[GonzoGOP]

One of the other posters suggested Santorum/Gingrich with Newt playing the Dick Chaney roll. Rick can motivate, explain, and promote the new agenda. Newt can kick tail on Capital hill and the talk shows to be sure the agenda gets through a hopefully GOP run House and Senate. Besides Newt as VP ensures that no progressive would try to assassinate the Santorum.

[tennmountainman]

Nasty Newt is back and it’s not a pretty sight.
However, having said that. I hope Nasty Newt goes MEDIEVAL
on Romulus with his 9 Million Dollar War Chest.

Santorum will benefit from the dog fight between Nasty Newt
and Romulus... without having to spend a dime.

[Grunthor]

JimRob should be at this meeting.

[MachIV]

This article is talking about exactly what I’ve feared would happen. Thankfully someone is trying to organize an effort to defeat RINOmney(ghost of McCain).

[douginthearmy]

Sure. Newt.

[ez]

Yep, time to trim...Perry and Huntsman first.

[Grunthor]

“Nasty Newt is back and it’s not a pretty sight.”

I think it has a certain beauty in it since it’s directed at Romney. Kind of like an axe murderer going after an abortionist.

[ez]

Nasty Newt is back and it’s not a pretty sight.

I think conservatives that have put up with McCain, Dole, Rove, Murkowski, Obama, and now Romney are ready for a little nasty. I know I am.

[Linda Frances]

I just finished writing John Thune, asking him how he could endorse and trust someone who can't figure out what is right and wrong until he studies the polls when he decides he want to run for president. John Thunes brother was a pastor at one of our larger churches in Omaha. I can't believe these politicians who don't use common sense with these candidates. What is it with Romney? It seems everyone is protecting him; most or all of fox, Laura ingraham, coulter (she's been spending too much time with liberals) .... It's like they want obama to win.

[livius]

I’m sorry, but what merits Santorum needing people to get behind him? Because he tied Romney in Iowa?

I agree. Santorum has said exactly nothing about his ideas, his track record is basically big spending and big government, and he seems to be most like Huckabee (a social conservative who had basically RINO ideas about economy and government). Granted, that's better than Romney, but Santorum has got to prove that he has better ideas and more capacity to carry them out than the other GOP candidates before he gets a coronation like this. One early win in a weird race certainly doesn't mean that he has been annointed.

[cripplecreek]

Gonna be a bit tougher to get rid of Santorum now that the field no longer contains the first and second choices of many of us. Now we’re rallying around our 3rd choice and will be near impossible to move.