October 13, 2009
Posted: October 13th, 2009 08:48 AM ET
Toomey has not always had a warm relationship with Romney.
Toomey has not always had a warm relationship with Romney.

(CNN) - Mitt Romney is set to officially endorse Pennsylvania Senate candidate Pat Toomey Tuesday in Philadelphia, a move that marks the progress Romney has made in shoring up bonds with some key conservative constituencies.

Just over two years ago, with Romney's presidential effort in full swing, Toomey raised questions about the former Massachusetts governor's record on fiscal issues.

"Governor Romney's economic record contains a mixture of pro-growth accomplishments and some troublesome positions that beg to be explained," the then-Club for Growth president said in a statement, listing the group's concerns but giving the presidential candidate his conditional approval.

Still, in February of last year, after it became clear McCain had effectively beaten Romney to capture the GOP presidential nomination, Toomey penned a Wall Street Journal op-ed naming solid economic conservatives he thought the Arizona senator should consider as his running mate. Not on that list: Mitt Romney.

Romney also made effort on behalf of another Northeast Republican Monday night, attending a fundraiser for New Jersey's GOP gubernatorial candidate, Chris Christie.

– CNN's Rebecca Sinderbrand contributed to this report

Filed under: Mitt Romney • Pat Toomey


Joanna in PA   October 13th, 2009 10:47 am ET

Go Joe! No toomy!!

The Party of No Mass   October 13th, 2009 10:45 am ET

It is a sound move, politically, but no one who knows better is going to believe that Romney, who never was a social conservative, will be taken seriously by the far right.

He was always a pragmatist who governed closer to the center than he says he did. That may be the sound businesslike way to get things done in a state notorious for liberalism and cronyism, but it doesn't exactly burnish his credentials as ultraconservative.

Rather, Romney is a smarter, better looking version of Ross Perot, not Palin in a suit and tie.

The Real Tom Paine   October 13th, 2009 10:41 am ET

Toomey's comments of 2008 serve as an object lesson for anyone currently running for a GOP nod: If you don't meet the entire ideological checklist, you're toast. Romney's attempts ( and McCain's attempts last year) to get nods from people that gave him conditional and lukewarm approvals in his previous run for the White House only serve to demonstrate the fact there is no room for compromise in the GOP. There is no discussion, no debate: its reminiscent of what Mormon leader Boyd Packer said about his Church's theology: " When the prophet speaks, the thinking is done". The GOP is looking for a Messiah to tell them what to do and how to behave: the problem is they can't lead a democracy that way. Toomey is part of the GOP Curia, and he is looking for heretics.

chill   October 13th, 2009 10:33 am ET

We were stuck with this arch-conservative bozo for six long years as our Congressman. He's one of the right wing bomb-throwers that wants to purge the GOP of any but the purists. Well, he ran me out of the party and we tossed his fellow lunatic Rick Santorum too. Looks like with Romney he has the millionaire vote tied up.

donttreadonme   October 13th, 2009 10:22 am ET

The moderate blue dogs will swing the vote away from these liberals who have made things worse! Anyone still believe that Obama is a moderate? If he was a moderate at the beginning the dem libs have pushed him so far to the left he can’t make his own decisions.

Does he really want to deal with “Don’t ask/don’t tell” right now or are outside influences pressing him. In his own words he stated the Public Option was not the main point of reform but the left has cornered him on it. It is the ultra- libs that make up the majority of his own party that are really hurting this President. Vote them out!

Doug, New Jersey   October 13th, 2009 10:18 am ET

Let's make sure that ACORN and the Dems are not committing voter fraud again and intimidating voters with their thugs hanging out at the voting places, threatening the people who are just trying to vote, like they did last November.

I know, it is racist to be against voter fraud that elects libs, I’m also a terrorist for wanting a fair election, this is what every Democrat in America believes, but those who crashed the planes on 9/11, nah they aren’t terrorists, nope, just Americans who are not Democrats.

Bubble of Sanity   October 13th, 2009 10:16 am ET

Governor Romney is a self-serving chameleon who will do anything possible to advance his own presidential aspirations. One only needs to search for his debates with Ted Kennedy on YouTube to discover that he will say anything if he thinks it will get him votes.

Romney is radioactive, and Republican candidates would do well to stay away from him.

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ   October 13th, 2009 10:00 am ET

This isn't a big surprise since neither one really knows much about PA. I hope people would look at whoever are nominated and their records. Just because someone says that they like various people doesn't mean that you shouldn't have some look for yourself.

Alan   October 13th, 2009 10:00 am ET

If Mitt had won the economy would be in a much improved place. The religion issue was a poor excuse for the Republicans to sabotage their best candidate. Instead putting their weaker candidate John McCain who was beaten by the summer time. We shall all pay dearly for the next three years and listen to the Mike Huckabee's of the world who continue to hurt their own party.

Stacy from Leesburg, VA   October 13th, 2009 9:48 am ET

So what is Mitt today? Is he a reach-across-the-aisle moderate governor from liberal Mass? Is he a hard-core red meat conservative that is all about guns and God? Is he pro-anti-aboration? Will he make another speech to Michigan about how he would bring jobs back to Detroit to then say that Detroit should go bankrupt? Today, he is trying to be a fiscal conservative, according to this story.

I am not a fan of Huck-ster or Palin, but at least you know who THEY are!

JN   October 13th, 2009 9:40 am ET

Oh that's should help. After all look how successful he was at running for President.

Barbara Independent in NY   October 13th, 2009 9:34 am ET

This is definitely in the "who cares" category.

Rob   October 13th, 2009 9:13 am ET

Picture caption:
"Toomey has not always had a warm relationship with Toomey."

Does Pat have a split personality disorder?

Dutch/Bad Newz, VA   October 13th, 2009 9:12 am ET

I find it remarkable that none of these republicans running for office have asked Sarah Palin to campaign for them. I guess they know she will cause them to lose if she opens her trap.

yuri   October 13th, 2009 9:04 am ET

Romney to root for Toomney-what a nice set of rhymin' names! Hope something works for them. We ain't sure who will win.

Santa Fean   October 13th, 2009 9:00 am ET

Notice how no one wants "failin" Palin's advice and support? Perhaps no one wants advice from a two time quitter who twitters?

Shucks   October 13th, 2009 8:58 am ET

One right wing nutjob endorsing another. This is news? Just remember what Pennsylvania did with the nutjob Santorum. I will definitely be voting as a democrate for Arlen Specter. Toomey will just divide the states even more. He is courting the right wing christian, haters who embrace their guns, bible, and rasicsm at every chance they get. Pennsylvania doesn't need any more destructive politicians.

OhioGuy   October 13th, 2009 8:58 am ET

"Toomey has not always had a warm relationship with Toomey."

He should probably get that checked out, then.

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