Santorum’s Email Endorsement of Romney, Lost in the Text – No Less Powerful – Headlines Can Be Deceiving.

The email endorsement of Mitt Romney by former rival Rick Santorum was found in the end of an email written to supporter – so well-crafted as to be, by some who might be continuing to warm to Mitt Romney, completely missed – that would be this blogger. It goes without saying, therein lays the danger of taking opinion pieces as “news” – even if the piece contains evidence contrary to a headline. In fact, that has been by and because of editorial boards who either eschew blogs, or embrace the first blog they come across and print without follow-up.

The fact that the endorsement came in the 13th paragraph, is being touted by the media as somehow “tepid” , not as rousing as it should be perhaps. (Wall Street Journal). The preamble to the endorsement was more of a “why one should support Mitt Romney”, and that was very clear – the differences, the similarities, were all spelled out rather clearly – and Santorum’s case for Romney, was crafted to insure that supporters and non-supporters understood his backing the former Massachusetts Senator, who has a reputation for slash and burn campaigns (for lack of a better euphemism). The point, Santorum was being careful in his wording, and that was in order to bring those conservatives who might otherwise be considering other options, into a frame of mind where Romney becomes more appealing to those who would, once again, be holding their noses as they vote, and that they will.

The least ardent of the Romney supporters, or those who would have preferred any other candidate, when faced with a choice between Romney and Obama, will not stay home from the polls, nor will they vote for Obama (that is a fantasy of the media and most probably the Obama Campaign), they will come out and vote for the economy, against the Health Care Program crafted by a Democrat controlled Legislature, against the waste and the scandals and the stories that the media fails to report, or does so on page 83, if at all – and they will vote for Mitt Romney. This is, indeed, Romney’s opportunity to lead the nation forward, both economically and in some semblance of unity. The only problems Romney might face in a quest to unite the nation politically, would be the extreme left – those progressive in the vein of Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and company. That said Romney has experience dealing with the lot of them – having done so in Massachusetts. It’s knowing when to hold them and when to fold them – and when to fight.

Therefore, although missing an endorsement (obvious when read a third time), the point and theme were constant – Romney is ok, he’s going to best Obama and we are going to help him accomplish this task – and put our fiscal house in order. In adding to that, one might also consider our national “emotional house” which is in dire straits, and needs a boost. Romney may not be the most charismatic politician, nor the most seasoned, but he does exude confidence, and a careful approach to issues that is to be respected, not ridiculed, and therefore, will make a fine leader – not a bit like Bush (as the Campaign and the media attempt to make that comparison), rather a lot like Romney. This blogger is more than comfortable with Romney as the GOP candidate and the clear alternative to President Obama and the policies of the current administration.

Press Jumps the Gun on Santorum Endorsement of Romney – Uses Email to Supporters – See Text – Endorsement No, Warming Yes

Rick Santorum and Mitt Romney post Debate - image: Catholicvote.org

From the Allentown Morning Call, a Reuters News Piece entitled: “Republican Santorum endorses Romney for president” speaks to an email sent to Santorum supporters yesterday, noting that the email endorsed former Massachusetts Governor and GOP Frontrunner and presumptive nominee, Mitt Romney – it did not, necessarily or formally. The text of the email is shown below with an obvious “warming” to the candidacy of Mitt Romney for President, but no formal endorsement. That said, in closing Rick Santorum does not he has an announcement coming soon – that may be the formal endorsement.

Text of email:

On Friday, Governor Romney came to Pittsburgh for an over-hour long one-on-one meeting. The conversation was candid, collegial and focused on the issues that you helped me give voice to during our campaign; because I believe they are essential ingredients to not only winning this fall, but turning our country around.
While the issue of my endorsement did not come up, I certainly have heard from many of you who have weighed in on whether or not I should issue a formal endorsement. Thank you for your counsel, it has been most helpful. However, 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.
Clearly without the overwhelming support from you all, I never would have won 11 states and over 3 million votes, and we would not have won more counties than all the other candidates combined. I can assure you that even though I am no longer a candidate for president, I will still continue to fight every day for our shared values - the values that made America the greatest country in the history of the world.
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.
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. He clearly understands that having pro-family initiatives are not only the morally and economically right thing to do, but that the family is the basic building block of our society and must be preserved.
I also shared with Governor Romney my belief that we cannot restore America as the greatest economic engine the world has ever seen until we return America to being a manufacturing superpower. He listened very carefully to my advice on this matter, and while our policy prescriptions differed, he clearly expressed his desire to create more opportunities for those that are feeling left behind in this economy.
As it is often said, "personnel is policy." I strongly encouraged Governor Romney as he builds out his campaign staff and advisors that he add more conservative leaders as an integral part of his team. And you can be sure that I will work with the Governor to help him in this task to ensure he has a strong team that will support him in his conservative policy initiatives.
Of course we talked about what it would take to win this election. As you know I started almost every speech with the phrase that this was the most important election since the election of 1860 and four more years of President Obama is simply not an option. As I contemplated what further steps I will take, that reality weighed heavy on me. The America we know is being fundamentally changed to look more like a European socialist state than the land of opportunity our founding fathers established.
Freedom and personal responsibility are being replaced with big government dependency. The greatest and most productive workers in the world are being hamstrung by excessive regulations making it impossible to compete. Our healthcare system had been socialized, and the worth of each life dictated by some government bureaucrat. Our allies are insulted while our enemies are appeased. And our religious beliefs and freedom have come under attack.
What is even more troubling is what a second term of an Obama administration could bring. President Obama's admission to the Russians that he will have more flexibility in a second term can only be translated to "if you thought I was liberal in the first four years you haven't seen anything yet!"
The primary campaign certainly made it clear that Governor Romney and I have some differences. But there are many significant areas in which we agree: 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. I am also comfortable with Governor Romney on foreign policy matters, and we share the belief that we can never allow Iran to possess nuclear weapons. And while I had concerns about Governor Romney making a case as a candidate about fighting against Obamacare, I have no doubt if elected he will work with a Republican Congress to repeal it and replace it with a bottom up, patient, not government, driven system.
Above all else, we both agree that President Obama must be defeated. 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.
My conversation with Governor Romney was very productive, but I intend to keep lines of communication open with him and his campaign. I hope to ensure that the values that made America that shining city on the hill are illuminated brightly by our party and our candidates thus ensuring not just a victory, but a mandate for conservative governance.
Karen and I know firsthand how difficult the campaign trail can be particularly as governor Romney faces relentless attacks from the democrats. We have been praying for him and his family and will continue to do so in the weeks and months ahead.
Thank you again for all you have done for us, and I look forward to working together to defeat President Obama this fall and to protect faith, family, freedom and opportunity in America.
With Gratitude,

Rick Santorum
P.S. As promised, very soon we will be making another big announcement, and I will be asking you to once again join forces with me to keep up the fight, together. Stay tuned.

The above email to supporters of Rick Santorum shows his political and diplomatic acumen, taking the time to explain some of the “similarities” between him and Mitt Romney on issues such as family and foreign policy, as well as an acceptable agreement on his number one issue – increasing manufacturing and production within the United States. However, the formal “therefore I endorse Mitt Romney” does not appear in the original text. Santorum is one of the most honest, straight-forward politician’s in recent history – and clearly understands that moving to the center for a great majority of his supporters may take some time. That said, when given the option between voting for Obama and an unnamed Republican (or opposition candidate), there is a clear preference for the Massachusetts Governor among Republican voters. It is clear that the established media is “jumping the gun” and has, as is the par, done little to no “fact checking” prior to taking a wire, blog, or other internet source as “solid news.” – One can write almost anything and have it taken as “fact” rather than, in the case of this blog, “opinion”. It should be noted therefore, in anyone’s article that “in the opinion of Reuters, the email suggests that Santorum may be on the verge of endorsing Mitt Romney for President”, in order for this piece to be credible. That’s the opinion of this blog.