Flashback: Rick Santorum Campaigns for Mitt Romney in Missouri
Posted by Jim Hoft on Wednesday, January 4, 2012, 5:24 AM
Rick Santorum attended a rally for Mitt Romney in St. Louis in 2008.
Rick Santorum announced his endorsement for Mitt Romney before the two governors arrived. I also had a few minutes to talk with Rick and he said he was very concerned about the direction the Republican Party may take if Senator McCain is nominated as the Republican presidential candidate.
In 2008 Rick Santorum came to St. Louis to campaign for Mitt Romney.
Trib-Live reported:
Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa., threw his support this morning to Mitt Romney for president. Santorum’s endorsement was sought by all of the Republican candidates in the past year.
“In a few short days, Republicans from across this country will decide more than their party’s nominee,” Santorum says in a statement released by the Romney campaign. “They will decide the very future of our party and the conservative coalition that Ronald Reagan built. Conservatives can no longer afford to stand on the sidelines in this election, and Gov. Romney is the candidate who will stand up for the conservative principles that we hold dear.”
Santorum, a darling of conservatives across the country, was referring to Super Tuesday balloting. He has a close relationship with former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who dropped out of the race and said he’s supporting U.S. Sen. John McCain. In a conversation last year, Santorum was adamant that he’d never support McCain.
Giuliani campaigned hard in 2006 for Santorum, who lost his Senate seat to then-State Treasurer Bob Casey.
John Weaver, a longtime McCain adviser who left the campaign last summer, said of Santorum’s Romney endorsement: “I just remember how desperate Sen. Santorum and his consultants were to have John McCain campaign for Rick.
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Published May 23, 2012 at 4:57 am - 64 Comments
Sasja commented:
So what. That was then. This is now.
njrazd commented:
I voted for Romney in the 2008 primary over McCain, too. He was the lesser of the two evils at that time for many of us. I’m hoping I live long enough to actually cast a vote for someone I like rather than against someone else.
Nice Deb commented:
And your point is….?
LRod commented:
And? When it comes to the border, I’ll support Romney too.
pamlinson commented:
Go get em Rick
Crimedog commented:
Romney and Santorum are my first two choices. I confess, Santorum was taking a back seat due to his polling. Not so much now. I probably still prefer Romney because of his super-star business background and that he was a governor. Having said that, I am delighted the voters of Iowa came through and gave Rick a chance to strut his stuff.
Deanna commented:
I agree with the other commenters. What is the point of this anyway? Jim, you would probably criticize Santorum if he had supported McCain.
Les is More commented:
What is your point?…..
marie commented:
So what? Of course Romney was preferable to McCain. Shows Santorum’s good judgement.
workingclass artist commented:
Obama is very happy this morning…
GrayRider commented:
Bingo, Sasha #1. You hit the nail on the head.
retire05 commented:
crimedog, are you even aware of how Romney governed Taxachusetts? Are you aware that he nominated Democrats, two to one over Republicans, to the Massachusetts bench? Are you aware that he issued marriage licenses to same-sex couples even before the courts allowed it (yeah, look it up, the Governor of Massachusetts can do that), that he was pro-abortion before he became pro-life to run against McCain, that he increased the per capita public debt substantially during his tenure?
How is Romney any different than what we have now?
retire05 commented:
McCain to endorse Romney today. Say “hello” to Obama’s second term.
Yep commented:
Say “hello” to Obama’s second term.
****************
2008 redux.
The election is already over and people don’t realize it yet. Sad.
jainphx commented:
All the conservative camp came out for Romney to try and stop McCain, and you see what happened when McCain finiggled his way to the top. This time around we have a conservative alternative. Romney is no conservative, and he’s a liar to boot. I don’t see the point in this post.
DaMav commented:
Given the choices of Santorum, Romney, Paul, or Obama….
Picking Rick Santorum is a no brainer.
Not my first choice yesterday but this is today. Let the whining and negativism cease — Santorum 2012
Sasja commented:
The election is not over and I, frankly, am getting a little tired of the whining and this defeatist attitude. Good grief, folks. What babies you are.
Valerie commented:
OT — The Big Pharaoh has a new post.
http://www.bigpharaoh.org/
It’s a short lesson about recent history, well worth your consideration.
The Sandmonkey’s got a recent post, too.
http://www.sandmonkey.org/
Right now, I could be very frustrated, because I am a Liberal who knows my values have been betrayed for money by the Democratic national party, and who is wondering if the alternative party is going to serve up a viable candidate against a truly disastrous Democratic administration.
But at least I know there will be election, not civil war, in the United States in 2014 and 2016. It’s the difference between nation-building and nation-maintenance.
Heaven help us all.
DaMav commented:
But Sasja my favorite didn’t win this year so that means Obama has already been elected and the country is doomed and a giant lizard will emerge from space and eat the planet. I will not eat my peas & ‘sparagas! Not! not! not! (flings spoon across the room and stomps feet)
/sarc
Yeah, I agree with yas. And the left absolutely hates Santorum. That’s an enjoyable bonus. Enough tantrumming. Let’s win this thing.
gee! commented:
I see no problem ………………i have no beef with Santourm…….. but he couldn’t carry his home state of Penn for senitor……………..Do you really believe he could carry the nation for president? just askin here no harm intented
Valerie commented:
#12 January 4, 2012 at 8:57 am
retire05 commented:
“How is Romney any different than what we have now?”
He’d appoint an Attorney General who can read.
Texmom commented:
Santorum saw the light with McCain way before many voters did. Therefore, I will assume this post is meant to be a Santorum endorsement:)
retire05 commented:
Valerie, I bet John Holdren and Douglas Foy are jumping with joy today. They get to keep their jobs with Obama or Romney. After all, they worked for Romney before (on “global warming”) and will be right at home with a man who governed to the left, be it Obama or Romney.
Here is the big shocker; while Iowans were concentrating on the caucuses, their ethanol subsidies (that line the pockets of all those Iowa corn farmers) expired. Wait until they wake up and realize that at midnight on 1/01/2012 they just lost their free ride.
owl commented:
I picked Obama (way back in 2004) as the scary candidate that might beat Hillary. I held my nose and voted McCain, just as I will hold my nose and vote whoever, again.
I do not think Santorum has a snowball chance in h*** of beating Obama. I think the Repubs had to stay up nights to top McCain.
Sasja commented:
retire05. He isn’t except he does not hate this country as the Bammy’s do, but he is still a big government, more intrusive government guy. I don’t know his stance on our drilling for oil. Anyone? But since he’s a global warming nut, I would suspect he’s agin’ it. What is his position on the pipeline? Would he work to eliminate the EEOC, Dept of Ed, cut Homeland Security’s budget (if we can’t get rid of it) and scale back, or eliminate all the other worthless fed bureaucracies? I don’t think so.
Sasja commented:
Owl, well, way back in the olden days, there were those who really thought Reagan, or as his detractors referred to him, buffoon, bad actor, cowboy, was a bad choice. But guess what. His landslide victory stunned them all. Not that we have anywhere near a Reagan, but what we do have is an opportunity to nominate someone who will take the fight to Zero. Since I know Romney and the establishment GOP won’t, I have to look to Santorum. Is he a fighter? Should he become the nominee will he have the support of the rank and file he’ll need to win the election?
Deanna commented:
And everyone talking about Santorum’s loss in 2006 forget he ran against a Casey. In PA that’s like running against a deity. Things have changed in PA since then too. Take a look at people like Mike Kelly for example who beat a reconziable name in NW PA. I think with the right organization and support Santorum has a chance. We’ll see.
Pete_Bondurant commented:
Santorum is a good man. Moreover, he does not need diapers like a certain former House Speaker who is being a big crybaby.
cal rifkin commented:
So, I worked for Carter back in college.
donh commented:
Niether Romney nor Sanitarium can win their home states against Obama. When are you going to be honest with yourself and realize the Republican party is run top down by LBJ era democrats. They want foreign empire wars and fascist big government over your dead bodies. Prince Rebus ordered a last minute surge of party hacks to vote Rick because Gingrich was failing in his appointed role of false anti Romney alternative. We just couldn’t settle on a 2 person top tier of Paul / Romney. Why that would destroy Paul’s status as non existant person to be shunned . We can’t allow people to see an anti war small government republican can win 50% of the independant vote. Got to send Rick in there to chase women away from our party , chase away gays, and minorities so we LOSE . There is a sharp sword waiting for you to fall on 2012.
scinfidel commented:
I wonder if Jim/Michelle/Hugh/allahpundit/HotAir etc are getting tired carrying Mitt’s water for him? He is the most unstable unreliable candidate we have.. while Newt has conflicting opinions from the past, his actions were conservative and strong. Mitt’s flip-flops are unnerving and will make him hard to defend in a general election.
Anyone but Obama… and Mitt, 2012. At this point I will jump on board the CrazyTrain(RP) rather than support Mitt.
MustComment commented:
Santorum 2012! Having said that… has anyone given any thought to this. After New Hampshire, Ron Paul drops the (R), picks up the (I), splits the vote and we get Obama for another 4 years? Keep an eye on Paul, he’s the most dangerous one of all.
MikeO commented:
Between ROmney and McCain; it was the right choice. Between Romney, Gingrich, Paul and Santorum; Santorum- definitely.
More Liberty commented:
hahahahahahahaha…hahahahahahahaa….oh man…this is great. Rick Santorium supported Mitt? Of course he did. You know why? Because these two clowns are not actual Constitutional Conservatives. Both are nothing but big government establishment politicians.
If any of you neocons actually believe that Mitt or Rick will actually cut federal spending then you are ignoring their past records. I don’t give a rats ass what they say, it’s what they do and the fact is they are big spenders, ant-individual liberty. If Rick gets in there I sure as hell am glad I’m not Muslim. Whoa….talk about a bigot. And old Mitt Romney, well enjoy nominating another McCain.
This is awesome. I can’t wait to see the debates between Obama and Mitt. I mean they are basically the same animal.
Angel commented:
I’m so happy to see so much support for Santorum.
Patty commented:
I still don’t understand the petty things that has happen in the past being dragged out.
He supported Romney, big deal. But has he done the things Obama has. The worst thing we can do is keep pointing out the minor flaws if you can call it that.
The most important thing now is to keep pointing out those flaws that really do matter. Obama.
Jayne on Left Coast commented:
By the time the 2008 primary came to CA. the candidate Johnny Mac was already chosen, by what five states? I didn’t vote for Mac in that primary, held my nose and voted for Sarah in the General. I know not to get excited by any candidate, the way primary is rigged I will never have a choice. Thinking of changing voter reg to U/undeclared.
Fuquay Steve commented:
Is this The Daily Caller?
astratt7 commented:
Thank you for posting the info.
I think the elite Repubs are forcing us to choose between our two weakest candidates.
Without a strong candidate like Newt…I do not think we will win…my opinion.
Blacque Jacques Shellacque commented:
I wonder, now that Santorum has a little more momentum, will he now be confronted on his past support for tariffs, his support of NCLB and the Medicare prescription drug benefit, and his ill-advised support for the contemptible Arlen Specter?
Fuquay Steve commented:
What’s happened to you people?
dunce commented:
At the time, he could have not endorsed anyone but that is called voting present and is sure to be resented by everyone. Decisions must be made even when there are no great choices.
Molon Labe commented:
Does this mean Hofter endores McCain?
owl commented:
#26 sasja……………..I picked Reagan back when and was so disappointed when he lost the first go round. I cheered when he won his nomination. He was a winner. He would have heck getting by this crowd of Repubs today. They would toss him in the ocean over immigration. He screwed that one up, bigtime. I do not require perfection in my candidate.
AliceL. commented:
Sticking with Romney. Seems like only yesterday that people were trying to stop McCain and/or Giuliani.
Ghost commented:
This means that President Santorum is open to using Romney in his administration: Treasury?