Santorum endorses Romney in e-mail to supporters
WASHINGTON (CNN) - Rick Santorum told supporters in an e-mail Monday he was endorsing his one-time rival for the GOP presidential nomination Mitt Romney.
Santorum, who met with Romney in Pittsburgh Friday, told supporters the meeting was "productive," and that he was able to fully determine where the likely GOP nominee stood on a wide swath of issues.
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"Above all else, we both agree that President Obama must be defeated," Santorum wrote. "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."
Santorum, who dropped his bid for the nomination in early April, explained he wanted to wait to make an endorsement until he and Romney were able to speak face-to-face.
"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," Santorum wrote.
The former Pennsylvania senator said the meeting - which lasted 90 minutes and took place at the office of Santorum's campaign strategist - was meant in part "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."
One issue discussed was family, Santorum said.
"The family and its foundational role in America's economic success, a central point of our campaign, was discussed at length," Santorum said. "I was impressed with the Governor's deep understanding of this connection and his commitment to economic policies that preserve and strengthen families."
Santorum's endorsement of Romney could help the likely GOP nominee boost his support among the conservative wing of the party - a constituency he had problems gaining traction with during the primaries.
CNN's Kevin Liptak, Adam Aigner-Treworgy and Kevin Bohn contributed to this report.
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That's what I call a sorry hateful endorsement of not a real man but an angry child.
People should only take notice of endorsements by sane, good individuals
Wow, what a ringing endorsement... I was totally not going to vote for Romney, but after hearing about such enthusiastic support by Rick Santorum not only will I vote for Romney, but I will spam all my friends and family with videos telling them to vote Mitt Romney, not just once, but twice!
What a coward. Santaliban endorses Williard via an email? Yep, like all Republicans, hide when you can. Spew hatred, racism and lies when you run.
Talk about the epitome of hypocrisy!! Santorum, along with the other nut cases running for President, spent months bashing everything Romney said-–and with good reason. Now that it's clear that Romney is going to be the nominee, they're "endorsing" him after all the super negative comments?? It's almost funny, if it weren't so pathetic! Here's hoping that Obama will really show Romney to look like the "etch-a-sketch" flip-flopper of all times during the Presidential debates.
Finally
Didn't care if he endorsed Mitt or not. Blah Rick.
The email was not written by him. What a joke the GOP has become. Epic FAILURE!
Hahahaha. I bet he won't sleep well tonight. This must have hurt.
He couldn't actually say the words, but he wants his campaign debt paid off!
Rick Santorum, why didn't you endorse Ron Paul. He obviously is no Quitter!
Wow, that's a slap in the face
Surely it matters no one whit.
Instead of "phoning it in," Santorum just "e-mailed it in."
And why not via Twitter? Lol
Tragic endorses Tragic. The world prays that US citizens will not be dumb as they were when they were "Bushed"
Lukewarm nominations from the likes of Santorum, Gingrich, Bachmann, etc. are sure to sink the ol' Mittster.
Wow! Another heartfelt endorsement. LOL.
So, the overt racist/woman hater endorses the anti-christ.
Lets see how well this goes over with minorities and women.
well that's upbeat and positive!! NOT
Finally, what has he been offered in return??
VP?? That way Romney can keep him on a short leash just like the Kennedy's did with Johnson or the pooch on the car roof!!?
Regards,
Hodgson.
Rick Santorum is a sour loser... No lets say nothing but a loser! He told people he was endorsing Romney in a email to his supporters! What a joke, this is a guy that was "WAS" running to be the president of the United States and he can't even come out and say this publicly! He was so big on criticizing Romney durning the campaign but now will endorse him in an email. Thank god he didn't get elected, we think we have issues with Oboma what kind do you think we would have had if he got into office; if some country leader said something he didn't like... what is he going to bomb them or cry???? Hummm God thank you for having him lose!
i'm sure it was a really heart felt email. like most are
vote for the other guy
I meant the other guy