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Subscribe to RSSFormer 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.
"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."
Santorum said he agreed with Romney on "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."
Copyright 2013 Thomson Reuters. Click for restrictions.
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Rick though I don't agree with your politics, I thought you were a man of principal.
Not anymore.
Ahh, the humiliation......like swallowing dry lima beans spooned out of a dirty ashtray. Maybe you will get that head of sanitation job Mitt promised you.
Santorum had been reluctant to give an endorsement, but he said that changed after a "clear-the-air" meeting with Romney...
Translation? Romney agreed to pay off my campaign debt and gave me a speaking slot at the Republican convention.
While I personally am not particularly fond of Santorum, the email endorsement was necessary to soften the blow to his supporters since clearly this was a 180 degree change from his stance during the primary campaign. Eventually he will need to make a more official endorsement, probably in the presence of the Romneys and you can expect this to happen sooner rather than later. Hopefully, he will be able to do this in a more convincing fashion.
*Anyone but barack 2012* is the sentiment that a majority of the country carries. Who the hell do you guys expect him to endorse? It's the political machine for God's sake...seems to me Hillary endorsed barack and she swore he'd let the country get blown to hell in an international crisis. Not only that but then she worked for him.
This bull Shi$ shouldn't even be a story. The next story will report "possible corruption in American politics!" No Way! Get out, You don't say!
*Anyone but barack 2012*
Santorum was forced to send a late-night email because he couldn't actually say he "endorses" Romney with a straight face.
It's kind of like taking a spoon full of sugar before you take some nasty tasting medicine.
Obama / Biden 2012
TO: Rightwingwac who wrote:
That's a lie and you know it.
President Obama already has the popular vote, which accounts for the "majority of the country." President has to win in state-by-state contests, but he already has the "majority of the American People's" support.
If anyone liked Mitt Romney, Republicans wouldn't have to get up early in the morning and start lying about him. The fact is, even Republicans don't like Mitt Romney.
Obama / Biden 2012
American Girl..........You are exactly right. Rightwingwacko was lying, but then all Republicans do, don't they? And then they act so surprised when someone calls them out on it. It must be wonderful to live in a fairy tale world, where everything you say is accepted even tho you made it all up. Except...........no one's accepting it anymore.
Santorum had called Romney the worst possible choice for the Republican party a few months ago. Now he is kissing his ass... Well that is par for the course I guess. At least he and Newt are getting paid off for their support.
At least my candidate doesn't waiver in his positions and beliefs. Look for Ron Paul to pull of the upset in Tampa.
The GOP forced the endorsement, so he did it by email. The worst kind of endorsement.
American Girl... you're cute
"That's a lie and you know it? You forgot to say "pants on fire". Wow, you're good...at what I don't know, but there must be something.
So I think your the one "lying" with your statement, oh and by the way sosick...ummm, nevermind. Anyway, Politico, GWU,Battleground polls have barack down 2 to generic anyone else
Rasmussen who has been closer to presidential polling stats than anyone in history and has done it for several elections now. Has barack down 5
NBC poll has barack up 5
Pew is tied
That RCP average is barack (-.5) which means that more people dont want him than want him at this given moment.
We could stretch out his numbers to include Gallup who has him down if you'd like.
All of this is within margins but still, the way you jumped on me I must either really turn you on or you just love knee jerk over exaggerate shi$. I can picture you jumping up from your chair, running accross a room and getting in someones face shouting; "you're a liar, you're a liar, liar liar pants on fire". WTF girl?
Now to your statement about the popular vote. You're wrong, the popular vote represents the majority of the number of people that voted not the majority of the country. But I know that's splitting hairs so even at that, site your source for counting the popular vote, that should be a good one. It's not measurable until after a vote takes place. The term itself identifies the number of total votes that came in to differentiate between total number of votes and number of electoral votes. The only thing anyone can report on right now that has to do with the popular vote is as it relates to GOP primary's and between those candidates. That's why they call it the popular vote and not the popular opinion poll.
Polls are a snapshot and I will concede that they don't mean much until Sept/oct but I'm not so stupid to stand on something and say that anyone has the popular vote. So who contacted the 100 million + people to find out how they voted already? You better be careful because the authorities might knock on your door since you already know the way the popular vote is going to go in November.
I know you really let me get to you but take a pill, your argument is wrong on this one American and it doesn't matter if all republicans don't like Romney. They despise barack more than they dislike Romney and that, my cute little American Girl is one very real reason why barack could (see I'm not one of these @!$%#s that proclaim the result of the election at this point) very well lose the election.
IF he wins I'll be disappointed no doubt, and IF he loses I will be laughing hysterically at all of the gypsy fortune telling idiots on this site claiming premature victory. But I know libs are used to doing things prematurely.
*Anyone but barack 2012*
"Rightwing" - you need to understand that "American Girl" is a troll, whose job it is to monitor blogging sites such as this and to spew forth whatever her bosses at the DNC feel is necessary. You'll encounter her on Newsvine every time the issue on MSNBC is politics, offering up the same canned political views she's been instructed to convey. She's kind of like those "sex-bots" that used to haunt the chat sites, only what she's selling is even more disgusting.
TO: oldefarte who wrote:
Olde farte, as usual Republicans are dazed and confused on everything!
I'm not employed by the DNC, I just know what Republicans have planned for working Americans, and that's where I come in.
I don't like the "Ryan Plan" and I'm sick and tired of Republicans giving more and more tax cuts to the rich, and pay cuts for American Workers.
That's my individual purpose, to not let another corrupt Republican get their tainted hands on my Social Security, OR my Medicare!
I wouldn't expect you to understand, since you don't even understand what kind of crap you're supporting or how the "Ryan Plan" would be devastating to you personally.
Talk about a "troll"!
American Girl ... I do believe that Rightwingwacjob actually believes that Romney is leading. If you were to watch Fox Cable News(?) you would understand why. Even the unbiased news organizations are trying to make it look competitive ... that sells better than a landslide. I would agree with you, but I realize that there are some pretty nutty folks out there, especially in the bible belt and back woods areas.
Race-baiting girl
Social Security and medicaid huh? Well clearly if you WERE actually informed and did care about anything you'd know that was liberal horse shi$ and had no substance. Fixing medicaid and SS are in the works on the right side. But race-baiting fools like you would probably rather wait unitl it all falls apart so we can have riots in the streets like Europe that is the model for barack.
Using talking points like that supports the idea that you are either paid or an idiot. Take your pick I'll believe either one.
George, you just proved my point about the school for the blind.
Did I ever even mention Fox, noooo, but you did. Because you're a ding-bat. Look at Rasmussen, the proof is in the record. They're the best and most accurate but even at that I look at other sites INLUDING CBS and Reuters which are slanted at best. But you wont, you're a sheep, a blind sheep. So take your digs and attempt to humor yourself. I know why Feisty calls names all the time. She hangs with the likes of all you guys and how could someone NOT resort to name calling with this caliber of mentality? I'm starting to get it.
Enjoy yourself you sightless wonder.
*Anyone but barack 2012*
TO: Rightwingwac who wrote:
How'd it get to be my fault that the Republican Party is basically an intolerant "white's only club"?
As for Social Security and Medicare "falling apart", your memory fails you.
Democrat President Bill Clinton already fixed both Medicare and Social Security and had a surplus in Social Security to last for decades, until Republican George "Curveball" Bush went in took all our money, again, which Republicans do EVERYTIME they get in office they rob everybody!
Obama / Biden 2012
Another ringing endorsement! I guess Mitt agreed to pay off Rick's debts!
And barack offered to give Hillary a very powerful job.
And she's done an outstanding job as Sec State!
Yes she has!
Hillary in 2016!
Personally, I don't like Hillary Clinton. But I have to agree that she has done an outstanding job as Secretary of State is well respected internationally.
She also opened the door to letting Obama tap Bill as a resource without appearing weak. Which is a problem that many presidents face when seeking advice from former presidents.
It's all politics though and I'm sure that Romney offered Santorum something for the endorsement as not getting it would speak far louder than getting a pro forma endorsement that the party expects him to give.
And there could not have been a better pick for Secretary of State!
Iowa guy, with so many inane comments coming from Romney's mouth, I am convinced that he, too, is seeking advice from former Presidents - one in particuclar.
Not the point whether she did an outstanding job or not. The point is you guys are all crying "hypocrite" which is actually correct. My point is nobody remembers the brutality of the barack, Hillary battle yet when he kicked her ass she endorsed him (because of a payout) even though she beat the snot out of him during the campaign. You guys are good at avoiding the points aren't you?
It's the same old politics and everyone is acting surprised.
Didn't Santorum say something like 'anyone but Romney'??
OPPS!
D | R
(Circle One)
So easy an idiot can do it.
Unless you're in Florida...
Well -- this should drive a few million more voters to President Obama.
Thanks Rick.
Sanitarium is the #1 choice of Republican voters for VP? Such a wonderful gift that would be....
Jersey Bob - Seriously? Romney would never pick Santorum. Not going to happen.
Jersey Bob - I just realized you wrote Sanitarium. That will teach me to go too fast. Yes - you are correct - that would be a gift. Sorry for thinking you were serious but, based on some of these posts, anything is possible.
OBAMA 2012!
This is the ringing endorsement from hypocrite Santorun, I guess his religious base will fall in line to vote for the unchristian, LOL!
Shocking! A republican candidate who's no longer in the running endorsing the presumptive republican candidate. This should be a one line message not a story. It's as predictable as the sun coming up or barack playing golf. Everyone knows it's going to happen so why is it a big news story? The next thing they're going to tell us is that Bill Clinton threw his hat in the ring for barack.
Rightwingwac...enough, already. It's never news worth reporting, unless it is something that can be used or twisted agianst Obama, then it should be headlined for a month. I think you've made your position clear. LOL
OBAMA 2012! HILIARY 2016!
You were impressed ????? Deep understanding ???? What a group of hypocrites !!!! Yeah, I agree......Romney must have promised him something. How do these people sleep at night ?
With a very fat wallet. ZzzzZZzZ
Linda really? So I know I sound like a broken record here but tell me how this differs from barack and Hillary? Tell me the difference! Why is this so shocking to you and if you are screaming hypocrite than throw yourself in that pile because you probably weren't bitching when it's happened in every other election. The memory span of the greater population in this country is pathetic.
What a group of hypocrites !!!!
I suppose that applies to all politicians. Santorum had little choice if he wanted to remain viable within the Republican party. You can be sure that if Obama wins the election, Santorum will be looking to run again in 2016. For some reason, the Republican party works that way. If you lose a primary campaign, you just run again in the next election cycle and usually with more success. The Democrats usually reject candidates that lose in their primaries and in the next cycle go in a different direction.
SI
TO: Rightwingwac who wrote:
The difference is, Hillary didn't have to use a late-night email to endorse Barack Obama.
When Santorum endorsed Romney by late-night email, it made it seem like Santorum either had to get drunk first, or just really didn't want to do it.
I agree that Romney told Santorum that there would be something in it for Santorum if he got behind Romney, and even with that Santorum STILL didn't want to do it.
THAT is the difference.
Obama / Biden 2012
WrongWingWac: Huge differences between Romney/Sanitarium and Obama/Clinton. Obama defeated Hillary using pretty much substantial issues - with a lot of venom, but still sticking with issues. The wallets were pretty much balanced. Romney hit Sanitarium with a tsunami of $$$ along with abundance out-wrong falsehoods. Obama and Hillary expressed their positions honestly; Sanitarium has also been consistent and honest (regardless of the nonsensicalness); Romney has been a weathervane - shifting positions as necessary and then attacking opponents strengths as if they were weakness (slight-of-hand approach...).
Yeah okay, barack was honest about things. Whatever man, don't sweat it, you've got nothing to prove here. I realize that on this post I'm a visioned person in a school for the blind. barack was honest...that's a hoot, hell even that ass-hole played the race card against Hillary and Bill was furious. But I know, baracks a good guy and he cares so much for us. Just keep telling yourself those things. Nice rose tinted glasses you've got there. There's like zero objectiveness with you guys. Right is right, left is wrong.
*Anyone but barack 2012*
The value of a Santorum endorsement is surely measured in negative numbers.
only if rational people outnumber irrational ones.
Linda
I sleep like crap at night because I know that if that call came in the middle of the night the WRONG (barack) person is there to answer it. So Hillary made sure I understood that and for three and a half years I've been sleeping horribly but thanks for asking.
TO: Rightwingwac who wrote:
Probably because you can't stand the fact that a "Half-rican American" is the President of the United States, because you damn sure are safer than when Republican fearmongers were in office!
Obama/Biden 2012
Hey, I didn't say it, your queen said it. I just believe it. Was she lying?
But here's the main point. American, if I would have seen this before my last legitimate response to you I wouldn't have bothered with the attempt at educating you. Now you poked the lion and you've forced me to go down into Feisty's territory where I try not to go but I will go when invited and you just invited me.
Now for the moderator I'm going to say this with every ounce of respect that was just earned by the soon to be renamed American Girl. So again, with all DUE respect to you. Race baiters are the lowest forms of slimy pieces of human feces on these posts. When you pull crap like that out of your old crotchety ass it makes you look like one of the most ignorant dirt bags on this site. Go ahead, throw another race card, race-baiting, ignorant ass line out there. Let the world know that when you have nothing of substance to argue with, as in you're too stupid to even get the light bulb to glow a little, you reach for the race card. I'd like one person anywhere on this vine including your dumb-ass to find a post of mine where racial overtones were ever brought up. You guys are pathetic when it comes to that and now you're just "race baiting girl". Hope you like your new name. Feisty has her little list that I'm proud to be part of and I have my little list that you are now part of.
In summary, with all DUE respect; go to hell.
Hey, haven't been down this deep for a while, I think I see Feisty over there....yep it sure is her. Hey Feisty, I came down to visit for a second. I'm going back up now, it smells really bad down here where you (and race-baiting girl) hang out. Way to go race-baiting girl you just left a nice mark on your trail.
It used to be that the competing candidates quickly aligned behind the choice of their party, and almost immediately endorsed the party choice. It was a combination of party loyalty and good sportsmanship, neither of which seem to matter to Mr. Santorum.
TO: Denny Crane, Esq. who wrote:
Nowadays, there are too many crooks in the Republican Party, so sometimes it takes more money to bribe another candidate into endorsing the other.
Maybe Rick Santorum was waiting for Romney's check to clear the bank, or for Romney to open that "offshore account" in Rick's name.
Obama / Biden 2012
Who's Rick Santorum?
What is Rick Santorum ?
Ricky....remember when you said "If Romney is the nominee, vote for Obama"?. I think you will take that advice and vote for President Obama in 2012....but it will be our secret :).
Thanks Dragon, I thought he had said that just a few weeks ago.
My my, how things change!
Me thinks Ricky now wants to be Mitt's V.P.
Mitt and Ricky...OMG.
TO: Master Joseph who wrote:
I think Romney is going to pick one of his carpetbaggers to be his VP, but he might throw Santorum a bone, IF Santorum keeps his mouth shut.
Obama / Biden 2012
"Republican Santorum endorses Romney for president"
Who is your daddy, Ricky?
This should be another sign of Rick's evilness. He can't even come out with a "Live" supporting statement. Shows his true color (yelow, as in coward). I hope the grapes don't get any sweeter for him.
Another rip roring endorsement for the Mitt!!!
Yawnnnnnnnnn
Wonderful, ROMNEY has all the nuts on his side now and one of the worst to want him in the oval office is PAUL RYAN. Keep in mind when you go to vote this year that a vote for ROMNEY means taking away women's rights, minority rights, gay rights, animal rights (anyone who puts their pet dog on the roof of their car for a 12 hour ride is an act of cruelty to animals and his wife who allowed it is just as bad). The middle class will totally die as PAUL RYAN has decided that it is ok to cut hundreds of billions for food aid, health care, and for any help to the middle class. RYAN and ROMNEY do however want t continue to get richer and help the rich.
Let me translate for Ricky. "I can't really stand the guy, but anything to remove Obama from the White House".
They all know Mitt's going to lose to President Obama in November anyway, but better to quietly endorse now than suffer the post-election ill will of a party looking to blame anyone and everyone for having contributed to the loss. So Rick gets on board now, albeit kicking if not screaming, simply to remain in the game for 2016. Doesn't matter, though, as he will never rise above his traditionally mediocre showing. The future of the Republican Party, unfortunately, is either the Jersey bully or that other Bush, dragged out of early retirement, or perhaps one of those supposed young guns who are simply shooting blanks....Rubio, Ryan, whatever. It will be Hillary in 2016.
Voteing against Obama will be a vote against yourself when Romney kills every social program in the federal government like he say's he will .
It will be a replay of Reagan and Bush 1980 .
A failed ideology , that has never worked for America.
The fact that we are here today to debate raising America’s debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. It is a sign that the U.S. Government can’t pay its own bills. It is a sign that we now depend on ongoing financial assistance from foreign countries to finance our Government’s reckless fiscal policies.
And the cost of our debt is one of the fastest growing expenses in the Federal budget. This rising debt is a hidden domestic enemy, robbing our cities and States of critical investments in infrastructure like bridges, ports, and levees; robbing our families and our children of critical investments in education and health care reform; robbing our seniors of the retirement and health security they have counted on.
Every dollar we pay in interest is a dollar that is not going to investment in America’s priorities. Instead, interest payments are a significant tax on all Americans–a debt tax that Washington doesn’t want to talk about. If Washington were serious about honest tax relief in this country, we would see an effort to reduce our national debt by returning to responsible fiscal policies.
Increasing America’s debt weakens us domestically and internationally. Leadership means that “the buck stops here.” Instead, Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices today onto the backs of our children and grandchildren. America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership. Americans deserve better.
I therefore intend to oppose the effort to increase America’s debt limit.
Sen. Barack Hussein Obama, Jr., (Senate – March 16, 2006)
Why the fascination with the President's middle name? Are you THAT insecure as a human being to have to ascribe some menace to seven letters of the alphabet given as a gift to a newborn from loving parents, one of whom a born and bred American woman? The truth is that you're most likely a frustrated, aging, under-employed, powerless, and largely unloved white American male who blames everyone other than yourself for your woes, something akin to poor white trash from the antebellum South. Why not simply disagree with the man? Oops, now you've got me doing it! I guess your disease is contagious.
Senor Bishop Willard( I even flip flop on my name) gets endorse by email from the leader of the Christian Taliban. WOW. At least he gave the democrats enough sound bites against Romney to last all the way into Nov.
OBAMA/BIDEN 2012
They might as well have nominated Romney for this 4 years ago when he lost to McCain. Anybody with one working brain cell could see it was inevitable.
NObama 2012! Get rid of that Socialist crashing train wreck! No matter what it takes!
My apologies to your family for their having to contend with your frustration through 2016, as President Obama will most assuredly retain the White House in November. No, make that 2024, as Secretary Clinton will occupy that same venerated seat through the following two election cycles. Can you imagine living in a world where Mr. Obama and Ms. Clinton continue to preside over each and every facet of your increasingly diminished and inconsequential life? Your children will come to believe that only Democrats possess the wherewithall to assume the highest office in the land, in spite of your protestations, as the fading memory of a vibrant Republican Party is bookended by the clumsy recklessness of George W. Bush, Karl Rove, Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, and all of the profiteers from Wall Street. Woe is you.
You mean like the socialist that own "fox tv. " thats the only socialist in America .
Today Mitt says he is going to claim credit for the auto industry success! Next he will take credit for getting Osama bin Laden, inventing a frost-free refrigerator, and the light bulb. He is a liar, and a flip-flopper of the worst kind. His next true statement will be his first.
not that I ever liked santorum and his severe conservative views on issues but never thought he'd fall for flippers lies in a private meeting to get santorum to fall in line he knows flipper will say anything to anyone to gain their support then turn around the next day and flop to the other side because hes speaking to a different crowd.I thought Rick had more character than that guess that just shows us all what repugs will say or do to regain power..Scary very scary....Obama 2012....Clinton 2016...
They are all Republican Candidates , they all think alike " RIGHT "
OBAMA 2012 ..........CLINTON 2016 ............