Romney endorses McCain

[jp_48504]

Romney endorses McCain
Updated 1h 30m ago | Comments206 | Recommend23

From staff and wire reports
BOSTON — Former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney endorsed former rival John McCain on Thursday and called on his delegates to swing behind the Arizona senator for the good of the party.

"Even when the contest was close and our disagreements were debated, the caliber of the man was apparent," said Romney as McCain stood next to him.

POLITICS BLOG: More on the endorsement

Former Massachusetts governor Romney dropped out of the race after the Super Tuesday primaries this month. He had made a last-ditch effort to consolidate the conservative vote behind his candidacy by questioning McCain's conservative credentials.

"I still have my views, the senator has his views, but as a party we come together," Romney told reporters.
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McCain flew to Boston for the endorsement from Rhode Island where he was campaigning.

Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee and Rep. Ron Paul of Texas continue to challenge McCain in the Republican primaries although both lag far behind him in pledged delegates.

"Primaries are tough, we know it was a hard campaign, and now we move forward together for the good of our party and our nation," McCain said of Romney's endorsement.

Romney collected 280 delegates during his run through the early primaries and caucuses, but after Super Tuesday, he fell more than 400 delegates behind McCain, putting the nomination all but out of reach. He had counted on a win in delegate-rich California to slow McCain's momentum and keep himself in the race, but he didn't get it as McCain carried the state

He spent at least $35 million of his own money on the race and at the time he stepped aside had spent more than any other Republican — at least $88 million.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/e ... cain_N.htm

Romney's endorsement comes as McCain continues to work at building support among conservatives. Shortly after Romney's decision to end his campaign, McCain addressed a group of conservative activists, promising to seek their counsel when making decisions.

Conservatives, such as radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh and author Ann Coulter, have criticized McCain's differences from standard Republican positions, such as his support for a "guest-worker" provision for immigration, his votes against President Bush's 2001 and 2003 tax cuts and his push for campaign-finance limits with Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis.

Contributing: David Jackson and Andrea Stone, Douglas Stanglin in McLean, Va., The Associated Press.

[PhredE]

Shame, shame This is a big disappointment.

[avenger]

Looks like he flip-flops again....good thing he didn't become president....now how about Ron Paul?

[patbrunz]

It's not a flip-flop. No, it's not a good thing he didn't become President. It's an attempt to get party unity to get conservatives behind McAmnesty, but it won't work.

Nothing against Ron Paul, but I seriously doubt he has any chance at all of getting the nomination.

[Skippy]

Just saw on CNN that McCain should get Romney's delegates. Romney's delegates didn't vote for McCain. This is not right. I am so disappointed in Romney. You can't trust any of them.