Little Ricky has finally formally endorsed Mitt Romney. Instead of bringing you what or other people think of what he said, I instead give to you, exactly what he said via email to his email list subscribers (I do not say supporters, since you don't have to support him to subscribe to his email list). (Also, I leave the "Beth" on the email, because it amuses me. My name is not Beth. Nor is it my father's name. And this was actually the email that was sent to him. And for some reason, all of the emails he has received from Santorum's campaign have been addressed to Beth, whoever she may be.)
Beth,
Thank you again for all you did as one of my strongest and committed supporters. Your belief in our campaign
helped us start a movement of Americans who believe deeply that our best
days are ahead as long as we fight to strengthen our families,
unshackle our economy and promote freedom here and around the world.
Karen and I will be forever grateful for the support, kindness and
commitment you showed us, as well as our children, over these last
months.
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.
