(CNN) – The Romney campaign first learned of Donald Trump’s decision to endorse Mitt Romney about 24 hours before Trump introduced the presidential candidate at a Las Vegas Hotel. A senior Romney adviser says the flamboyant billionaire businessman essentially told Romney “Hey, I think you’re the best guy for the job and I want to make it public.”
Almost anything could happen with a mercurial guy like Donald Trump on board. He has endorsed and funded many Democrats in years past, and within the past 12 months, he flirted with a Republican presidential run, mocked Romney’s business credentials and changed his party affiliation to independent.
Still, the Romney campaign greets Trump’s endorsement with open arms. “You haven’t seen us turn down any endorsements yet,” said a senior adviser who adds that Trump’s ties to the finance community and his “terrific tea party appeal” could be very helpful moving forward. “Hopefully”, he added “ (Trump) can help raise money and it ain’t like he’s camera shy.”
Nothing has been agreed upon in terms of a role for Trump, but the Romney campaign indicates Trump may be willing to do some grassroots campaigning among what the adviser called “hyper-conservatives”.
Florida exit polls showed Romney beating his chief opponent Newt Gingrich among self-identified tea party members and conservatives, but among those identifying themselves as “very conservative”, Gingrich bested Romney.
When Trump publicly toyed with the idea of running for president, he developed a following among the very conservative Republican faction with his frequent calls on President Barack Obama to produce his birth certificate and his no holes barred criticism of the president’s record.
The campaign, which had come off a rough day of explaining and re-explaining.
The source added that the campaign is actively seeking tea party type endorsements “and all others.”
Also see:
Gingrich hammers Romney over 'poor' comment
Dobson makes surprise appearance at Santorum event
Romney blasts Panetta after Afghanistan announcement
From CNN Politics
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I wish Donald would be our president.
Get ready for the Trump slump in the polls... the INDEPENDENTS just checked your off their list M.R. because of D.T. and his birther nonsense!!!! You will lose by a landslide now... you should have turned it down!!!!!!
WOW! Just when you thought Mitt couldn't dig himself into a deeper whole....he excepts the endorsment from Donald Trump.
Thank you Donald! Now please try to get the other GOP trying-to-runs to get out of the way and let Romney have at Obama!
Ying and Yang.
Ever since Trumps birther conspiracy he has trashed the Trump name and no one wants to be affiliated with Trump anymore. Trump probably needs a loan from Mitts to keep his business afloat, and Romney is weak so Trump thinks he can bully Mitts. Everyone but Mitts wins with this news, Newt can use the crap out of these two elite out of touch rich kids to get conservatives on board. Trump and Romney are both moderates and Newt can build on this for sure.
Considering Trump's lack of appeal to the middle his endorsement may help in the primary but will obviously hurt him in the general. Maybe Mitt should have said no thanks, please endorse the Newtster.
Pathetic, election is Rich v/s Middle Class Americans. God bless.
So a Billionaire with a dead cat tacked to his head endorsees a guy who makes over 40 million a year, what a surprise?
Yeah Trump might suggest that Romney bring up the birther issue again...that's the kind of stuff the far right wing of the Tea Party likes. I think Romney has a problem connecting with people that aren't in the upper 1% and Trump can not help him with that.
Whatever, woopdey dooo.
Donald Trump is a hypocrite and an i diot. His clothing/tie line is all
made in China. But nobody buys his stuff so few people know about it.
That's why he can go on TV and talk with his big mouth
Donald Trump= trust fund baby
Mitt Romney=trust fund baby
Well there's the kiss of death.
Thank you Mr. Trump! Go Gov. Romney! Go Republicans!
Great Day for President Obama! because he just got endorsed for the second term! two fat cats will never understand the poor you know because there will always be a safety net for Blacks, Latinos and the White Trash!! thats Mitts and Trumpeds economic theory.
Romney / Trump
Corporations are your friends
Who cares about Trump. Just trying to say relevant!
Mitt Romney prove to be more pathetic everyday!
The Clowns are back!! It gets better and better, rich man Trump (you're fired!) endorsing "I don't care about the poor" Romney (fire them!). I don"t know what I'll do for entertainment after Romney gets tromped on by Obama this November. The Romans had their circuses, we have our Republican primaries. They are completely oblivious that they are making fools of themselves.
A Trump endorsement is only as long as Donald Trump does not change his mind. He has given pats on the back to others and then changed his tune. If the TEA Party members allow Donald Trump to influence their votes then perhaps they are not so independent after all. The big question is What will Sarah Palin do now that Trump has endorsed Romney.
He'll help get Orley Tate's vote, and a few ignorant baggers that he can create fear in.
People with any sense just hit mute or change the channel.
I think that will help Newt but not enough to win.
►Source: Trump could help Romney with tea party support
Damn right, he can talk BIRTHER and some other negatives he can resort
to – getting NASTY while MITTens stand dumbfounded at his side and denies
“some” of the negatives and then “flip” and agree with some of the lies!!
Obama 2012!!!