DeWine on Santorum: 'He's human'
By MAGGIE HABERMAN |
2/17/12 5:05 PM EST
ABC News reports on Mike DeWine's sharp words for Mitt Romney at the Ohio event where he switched his backing from the former Massachusetts governor to Rick Santorum:
“To be elected President, you have to do more than tear down your opponents,” DeWine said in a statement. ”You have to give the American people a reason to vote for you — a reason to hope — a reason to believe that under your leadership, America will be better. Rick Santorum has done that. Sadly, Governor Romney has not.”
DeWine made the official the announcement on Friday in front of the Ohio State House in Columbus. There he candidly admitted he “was wrong” to have endorsed Mitt Romney four months ago and he was even more candid about why.
According to DeWine, Romney has shown an “astounding inability to provide voters with a rationale to support him.”
As for Santorum, “People like him — he’s human!” DeWine said.
He cited Romney’s “massive financial and organizational advantage” as one of the reasons he previously supported the former Massachusetts governor’s presidential bid.
Romney adviser Eric Fehrnstrom tweeted dismissively of the endorsement, noting it was DeWine's third attempt in the 2012 race: "Mike DeWine makes his third endorsement in six months -- Pawlenty, Romney, and now Santorum. I think that's a record."
There is some potential value for Santorum in the endorsement once the race reaches Ohio, although Romney backers argue way too much is being made of its pragmatic value.
But more immediately, the endorsement served to cut off some of the media oxygen from stories about Foster Friess' line about women and birth control and aspirin, and adds to a sense of momentum for the former Pennsylvania senator.
http://www.politico.com/blogs/burns-haberman/
DO SOMETHING!
| 