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Updated 11:22 a.m. — Eric Cantor, the second-ranking House Republican, endorsed Mitt Romney for president on Sunday, saying he is the candidate best suited to handle the issue of the economy.
Cantor, the House Majority Leader, announced his support on "Meet the Press," just two days before the primary on Tuesday in Virginia.
"What I have seen is a very hard-fought primary. And we have seen now that the central issue about the campaign now is the economy," Cantor told moderator David Gregory. "I just think there's one candidate in the case who can do that, and it's Mitt Romney."
House Majority Leader Eric Cantor thrusts his support behind Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney on NBC's Meet the Press.
Cantor is the highest-ranking Republian member of Congress to make an endorsement in the primary. Moreover, Cantor has emerged as a national political figurehead for conservatives on Capitol Hill; he's generally seen as the informal leader of the faction of anti-establishment conservatives to have been elected in 2010. To that end, he is one of three House Republicans considered the party's "Young Guns," along with Reps. Kevin McCarthy (Calif.) and Paul Ryan (Wis.), neither of whom have endorsed in the presidential race.
Romney adviser Eric Fehrnstrom told reporters traveling with Romney on Sunday that Cantor called the former Massachusetts governor on Wednesday to inform him of the endorsement.
The Virginia lawmaker's support adds to a collection of endorsements Romney has collected from elected officials. Eighty-one Republican members of Congress have voiced public support for Romney, according to Roll Call's count of endorsements. Just 11 members of Congress have endorsed former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, by comparison. Romney has additionally won endorsements from other national Republican figures like New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell.
Fehrnstrom suggested Cantor's support stems from an interest in riding Romney's coattails — coattails which, by implication, Fehrnstrom meant that Newt Gingrich or Rick Santorum wouldn't have for Republicans downballot.
"I gotta believe in the back of his mind he’s also thinking about maintaining a Republican majority in the house and elected republicans are looking for someone who has coattails, not concrete shoes," the Romney adviser said of Cantor.
Some of the other members of the House Republican leadership team have made endorsements; the No. 3 member of the GOP, Conference Chairman and Texas Rep. Jeb Hensarling, had endorsed Texas Gov. Rick Perry. Republican Policy Committee Chairman and Georgia Rep. Tom Price has endorsed Newt Gingrich.
Two members of the House GOP leadership have endorsed Romney, including Washington Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, the Republican conference vice chairwoman, and Oregon Rep. Greg Walden, the chairman of the House Republican Leadership.
The top House Republican, Speaker John Boehner, has doggedly refused to make an endorsement in the Republican primary. A political spokesman for the speaker confirmed Saturday that Boehner won't endorse before the primary on Tuesday in his native Ohio, arguably the crown jewel of the Super Tuesday contests.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) has also declined, to date, to make an endorsement in the Republican race.
Cantor's endorsement comes at a point in Romney's campaign at which he's railed against opponent Rick Santorum's extensive experience in Congress. Romney has made his lack of time spent in Washington a cornerstone of his campaign.
The former Massachusetts governor has also broken, though, from congressional Republicans at points throughout the campaign. Most notably, Romney came out in opposition to a deal GOP leaders on Capitol Hill had struck with President Obama to raise the nation's debt ceiling last August after maintaining his silence for much of the debate.
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I agree with many of the statements above about Cantor and Romney. But what I take away from this article is Cantor's reason that "...we have seen now that the central issue about the campaign now is the economy. I just think there's one candidate in the case who can do that, and it's Mitt Romney."
1) This is the Republican's cue to change the message back to the economy and jobs.
2) Romney's voting record and his statements don't really stack up to credit him for a good economy and jobs record
3) Obama has empirical evidence on his side, regardless of how anyone disagrees with how it was done
Santorum cannot control himself with wedges issues that are hurting the GOP as a whole. From here on out, Republicans are going to talk about the economy and jobs, however futile it will be.
These guys CANTOR get there $tuff together. Every time they open there mouth,they are RYAN through their teeth. Lets be BLUNT about it...they have made so many MITTstakes that it TRUMPS any good they may have done,come November they are all CHRISTIE critters. I guess that PALIN'S in comparison to the anger of the DICK ARMY, (tparty) right now,after Eric through them under the bus. I vote we NEWTER them all and put them in a SANITORIUM...and take a couple of breath DeMINTS to get the taste out of our mouths...maybe then they will get off our BACKMAN...
eric cantor is just another of the clan trying to acquire as much personal wealth
as possible by adjusting the political and legal systems to his means of thievery. he just happens to
think the republican faction is better than the democratic faction is achieving this goal.
seriously ...his Godparents have a freaky Mickey mouse fettish,their pool is shaped like Mickey,they have a gold plated statue of Mickey as you enter "THE GROUNDS",and even their Godson is kinda Mickey Mouse...
Just when Romney looks like he might be turning things around he gets an endorsement from Cantor.
If the GOP and Romney don't figure out very soon that it is the Independent voter that will turn the election in '12, they best do so quickly. And that means the extreme fringe of an ideologue like Cantor is the last thing needed in the mix.
I'm not a politician, I just play one in my head. But I think Romney and the other goof balls are trying to be as far right as possible, to collect caucus and primary delegates right now. After the convention (July???), the nominee will race back toward the cenleft of center, expecting to pick up more indy votes in November. Whoever is nominated, and whatever they say....repubs after July will jump on the band-wagon...no matter how crazy. And if mittens is the nominee, he'll be the most at ease for doing this....because he's used to flipping on issues.
Can anyone tell me WHY the GOP is keeping up this charade, though? I mean, why not shut down, save their money and try again in 2016? It's almost embarassing, for America.
apmprescott, the GOP will not win back any independents this election. The damage has already been done, especially with the same GOP siding with the Catholic Church, and then the latest BS from Limpdick calling women on the pill, sluts and whores.
They can try to figure out they need the independent vote, but I don't think they will receive them. No matter how they try to change their campain, they lose. Foreign affairs, killing terrorists, economy (which despite the pugbags efforts to destroy it) is slowly growing.
They have no platform to run on, except the social or wedge issues, and they are failing at that also. Their policies have not worked, and will not work.
"...the latest BS from Limpdick calling our female military personal sluts and whores..."
Still sticking to the same falsehood? How many times are you going to post it? Limbaugh never said that. His tasteless remark was directed at ONE woman, Sandra Fluke.
What Limbaugh actually said:
"What does it say about the college co-ed Susan Fluke [sic] who goes before a
congressional committee and essentially says that she must be paid to have sex
-- what does that make her? It makes her a slut, right? It makes her a
prostitute. She wants to be paid to have sex. She's having so much sex
she can't afford the contraception. She wants you and me and the taxpayers to
pay her to have sex."
SallyAnn - As one I know full well but if the GOP ever intends to compete they need to correct what they have allowed to happen with the likes of Cantor hijacking the party and remainder of them lacking the courage to stand up to the likes of him.
lets see now rommey becomes PRESIDENT and CANTOR V.P., MOSSAD assainates ROMMEY, ISRAEL gets its PRESIDENT OF THE U.S. just kidding of course!
see post #22
Why is MITT the Best choice for the highest office in the Land?
First place or 2nd place in every race, except where he came in 3rd in MN
Graduated from Harvard with MBA (with honors)
Accepted NO payment for his term as Governor of Mass. (4 years of service)
Accepted NO payment for his role in organizing the 2002 Winter Olypmics (3 years of service)
Mitt leads in delegates (real measure of who is winning) MR-182 / RS-79 / NG-39 / RP-38
Leads the popular vote
Leads in every category on INTRADE.com
Has performed at the top of the class in the 2011-12 GOP / Republican debates
Mitt balanced the budget of MA while Governor. (4 years in a row)
Made Massachusetts more conservative by stopping the bill to change the definition of conception
Governor Romney gave Massachusetts State Police authority to remove "Illegal Immigrants" from MA
Ran Bain Capital the largest on one of the most successful venture capital companies in America
Saved the 2002 SLC Olympics from financial ruin and scandal.
Mitt is Pro-Life and Pro-gun and his resolve was tested as Governor of MA.
Mitt has Tea-Party support because of his Conservative policies and Leadership ability
Mitt gave 14% of income to charity during same time Rick Santorum gave 2.2%
Moved Bain capital to New York City to organize a manhunt for missing daughter of friend and partner.
Romney & family rescue boaters on sinking boat on Lake Winnipesaukee in July 2003
Philanthropist activity include not only donating money (14% of income annually) but also time and resources as a volunteer.
Married to Ann Romney 42 years, Does not use alcohol (or drugs) and has never been accused of infidelity.
Is the only GOP candidate to publish a Plan for Jobs & Economic Growth for America
Took on a gang of would-be rapists to protect two young women at the risk of his own life. (France while serving 2 years as missionary)
Handled day-to-day business of French Mission office while his Mission President could grieve his wife who had died in a auto accident.
Governor Romney eliminated $3,000,000,000 (billion) of Massachusetts debt and left office with a surplus.
I have more. . .
...is not hindered by pesky values, consistency, or integrity.
...is not afraid to pander to the worst, most extreme members of the far right.
...has fully adopted the Bush/Cheney neoconservative agenda that nearly destroyed the country just a few years ago.
Has bankrupted a number of companies, throwing hundreds of people out of work and stealing their pension money while leaving the taxpayer on the hook for greatly reduced pension payments. JUST the kind of "leader" we need right now!
Ron Paul?
Eric Cantor: Just another spineless, insincere, self-serving politcian.
you're being kind....
Cantor , wow what a surprize, lol. Now there is someone you want to take away all our rights!!!!
if eric cantor is endorsing romney then that seals it ron paul is the only gop candidate that has anychance against obama and thats why the media keeps quit about him but dont worry after you vote in the next retard the news will blow up with @!$%# like what about ron paul
Did y'all catch ERIC CANTOR on meet the press this morning? ANOTHER CORPORATE PUPPET! He's endorsing the mexican republican corporate puppet! ANOTHER "WHAT'S IN IT FOR ME" BOYS! He mentioned the mex's name about a hundred times during his interview! He must be in love with him or the mex promised him something big to get his endorsement! THAT'S THE WAY CORPORATE PUPPETS WORK! That's why we, the American People, are suffering at the expense of the corporates. If you don't believe it, just look at what you are having to pay at the pump! If these puppets were sincere about helping the American People, they would have already had the Supreme Court declaring the OIL CORPORATES unconstitutional! Because their ONE PRODUCT(OIL) is causing MAJOR INFLATION of ALL OTHER PRODUCTS that we, the American People need and their ONE PRODUCT is causing GREAT HARDSHIP for us. So, they want to give us $10/hr. jobs to pay $4 or $5 for their ONE PRODUCT! Is this DEMOCRACY? OR, IS IT HYPOCRACY!
Enough is enough! We, the American People want our government back so WE CAN SELECT WHO WE WANT TO BE OUR LEADERS, NOT WHAT THE CORPORATES put up for us to vote on! So Eric go to bed with the mex and you both can go down on election day!
If you want to take our country back vote out all incumbants, ALL OF THEM, We the people have been bent over the tree stump long enough. We have the power to take our country in a direction that benefits WE THE PEOPLE. In the District of criminals they have been paid off or threatened to follow along with the new world agenda or else. The voting system is broken. What ever happened to one man one vote. A vote for RON PAUL goes a long way in taking our country back from these criminals, traitors to our republic. A vote for mitt, santorum or newty almost ensures 4 more yrs of obumbler and bringing us down to a 3rd world status of slaves. RON PAUL is the answer, if you can't see that then you deserve whats coming.
The special undergarments had best be doubled-up 27-ply Kevlar. Perhaps the Speaker can supply recommendations.
Mitt is a anchor baby? Wow, he better have his birth certificate ready, and has to be the original one, just like the pugbags birthers demanded from President Obama. What goes around comes around. According to the pugbags, life starts at ejucaulation, how do we know his mother wasn't still in Mexico? Or Bobby Jingles, his mother was PG when she moved here.
So by their standards, neither one is qualified to be the president either. Guess that leaves Frothy and Newt, and the demenated Paul as the three left standing.
Cantor is BAD OMEN AND BAD TASTE FOR HIS PARTY. If I was Romney I will say, " PLEASE DON'T". Now Romney can definitely say Bye Bye to WH.
Eric Cantor is the biggest @!$%# I have every seen in my whole life.
Eric Cantor .............just another DFR........
Cantor for Romney is huge.
ROMNEY/RUBIO 2012 & 2016
Wow - A cantor endorsement will end both their political careers.
Here we have one cult leader endorsing another cult leader what has the world coming to. Cantor is a joke when it comes to any type leadership. He has no credibility in the eyes of the world leaders. Here's a man that thinks his reglious beliefs are more important that the rights of the citizens of the US.
Romney will FIRE OBAMA
the more endorsements just shows how people have more faith in romney than anyone else it's all coming around super tues. results will done soon and we will see where the momentum is most likely the same as now. Their is no doubt romney has better credentials than obama always did Now he just needs the votes ,momentum to go all the way the more failures and screwy political blunders obama makes the worse he will look come election day. what I can stand is seeing these government backed companies fail,fail, fail I don't think anyone wants to vote for someone who has failed companies and they seem to be piling up.
you should have expierance running businesses prior to spending tax payers money on government bailout,run businesses
Yep, even Palin is softening her drag-it-out rhetoric and has said she'd actively campaign for Romney. Not that this is neccessarily a good thing, but it does show the momentum is building to unite and give Obama his worse nightmare, Mitt Romney.
And as far as those Green Failures mounting up. GM has now cancelled the Volt, laying off 1400 jobs we bailed out. Mitt may not be everyone's 1st choice, but he's the only choice to unseat Obama.
Wonderful....That's like getting the endorsements of The Donald and Mickey Mouse...
Golly, another good reason NOT to vote for Romney, the clone of Boehner. No guts, nothing but a RINO giving in and changing his views probably more often than his underwear. He sucks. and Cantor, he ain't no comedian nor even a viable candidate for anything but getting fired! Some of the comments here really are coming from liberals and Demos and that makes me laugh. If they want more Obama, I sure hope they have a safe hideout somewhere, money stashed that is safe from Obama's clutches, etc., etc. I don't want Romney, but if I have to bite the bullet, I will have to vote for him, but wait for 2016 to really clean CONGRESS! and Administration.
Cantor 'not open' to VP nomination.
What a laugh, the GOP will win nothing, they will also no longer be in the 2 party system as it will now be Dem's and Independents. The GOP has become irrelevant..