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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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Good move Eric! I hear Rush Limbaugh and Jerry Sandusky are climbing aboard the Romney bandwagon next week!
The great Eric Cantor has spoken the country is safe for democracy.That is unless Mitt should happen to win.
Cantor always looks like he has a permanent weggie!
HAHAHAHAHAHA..... hope Romney is happy with the little weasel's endorsement. You can see the hunger in Cantor's eyes, the deep want to become Speaker and then more, more, more.... he can almost taste the power being sooo close yet so far. I guess Boehner wears a bullet proof vest when he's around him.
Here's another endorsement that carries NO weight. So he thinks the whole election is about the economy, huh? Guess he hasn't turned on his tv so he can hear what his buddies are making of this when all the talk has been about everything else they can dig up. The GOP doesn't even believe itself! They've made a mockery of the election by rolling around in the mud and spewing dirt and if there is anything negative reported about them, they're the first ones to cry "not fair".....
People, open your eyes and see then hear the lies and twisted rhetoric that these "people" speak. When one party states that the only thing they will do is create such havoc so the sitting President won't be able to get anything done and pretty much wreck the country, waste time, enormous amounts of $, lies, cheat and steal not to mention take so many bribes they should be in prison..... Representatives are suppose to represent everyone for the good of the country, they should be persons of integrity, valor and strength, not these jackasses we have there. Look at all the things Obama has been able to achieve WITHOUT any help from them and think how much more he would have been able to accomplish if everyone would have worked together FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THE COUNTRY like they're supposed to....
You don't need to listen to them, just make a list of what they've done and you'll have your answer. Look at their voting record, see how much $ they've taken from the lobbyists and special interests, see how they've changed to stay in line, look at it all and you'll know.....Who's for THE PEOPLE?
As far as American voters are concerned it wouldn't matter if Christ come down off the crucifix and endorsed Willard , Rick , Newt , Ron or any Republican the GOP is toast in 2012 !!!!!!
BREAKING NEWS ....OBAMA & THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY WINS WHITE HOUSE AND CONTROL OF BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS IN 2012 !!!!
The costly problems with the Republican Party is found in their being "puppets" for "the money" who literally "pull their strings" and strongly support them in their self-serving political ambitions, including to finance and direct substantial efforts to con the people and manipulate public opinion ... and including to intimidate and coerce their own to assure complete unity behind the interests of "the few". Eric Cantor is one of the prime examples of these "bought and owned" politicians who arrogantly put their political ambitions above all else, at any cost to the majority, and who stubbornly cater to the interests of "the money". His supporting Romney could only come as part of that total picture and tells the story of what we can really expect from Romney.
As evidenced by his determination to privatize social security and medicare. I predict rioting in the streets if that ever happens.
Cantor...Now theres an endorsement you can take to the bank. Republicans are the main reason The Dumbing of America is in full swing. These out of touch in denial frauds haven't a chance. Now who is the next loser the Republican Party is going to parade across the TV screens of America.
Actually, our liberal, government-run, unionized education system is responsible for the Dumbing-Down of America.
so there are no conservatives involved in any of our School Systems?
The Union bashers fail to recognize it was The Unions who fought for child labor laws. These are the same people that want Unions dissolved so they can put 10 year olds in sweat shops, auto assembly lines, and coal mines. These were Republicans the last Century who were responsible. Someone tell me why it is wrong to want FAIR WAGES, HEALTH CARE, TIME OFF TO SPEND WITH YOUR FAMILY, SICK DAYS ETC. Yes its okay for CEO's but not for Unionized workers. If it wasn't for Unions everyone in this Country would be making minimum wage. I love these ahules who attack Teachers, but give the CEO getting $100 million a year a bye. After all this is America now isn't it..........
@Terry-CA
Cantor is a Jew with a fake southern accent. He wants to give Israel another $114 Billion in "aid" this year and some more patriot missles so Israel can sell them to communist countries like China.
Is anyone surprised to hear that Boehner and McConnel haven't endorsed anyone yet? Just like now, they don't know enough about their own candidates....How do you think they'd be with a president in their party? GRIDLOCK!! OBAMA/BIDEN 2012 !!
We cannot afford Obama. For example, Obama spent $4.3 Billion stimulus dollars on wind farms, which netted 300 full-time jobs. (all the rest of the jobs were temporary, 6-week jobs)
We cannot afford Obama. If taxpayers are paying $4.3 Billion dollars for 300 jobs...... even liberals can figure out that's not a good job creation plan at all !
$4.3 Billion in taxpayer dollars for 300 jobs. Pathetic. This is what happens when Incompetent government tries to create jobs. The taxpayers pay through the nose.
Paul -
I guess you haven't checked the stock market lately (which BTW affects pension plans)! Best it's been since your buddy Bush's time.
While I'm not 100% happy with ALL Pres. Obama has done, what more could he do with the GOPer's determined to make him a one-term Pres? They are the cause of him not being able to do what he promised.
geez Paul
The last administration lost $4 billion in cash that has never been accounted for in Iraq.....were you complaining about that?
Someone tell me why they think the sitting President should create jobs, control gasoline prices and show free movies at the White House. I love reading some of the responses. Wind mills? Not happy with that? How about we dump every program, quit building roads, quit trying to find alternative energy sources, fire all the police, firemen, County State, and Federal employess so a bunch of fringe whackos don't have to pay taxes anymore. Everything will be free. Including birth control. Hopefully the parents of these narrowminded idiots will practice non-procreation and rid this planet of the progress blocking, religious fanatic, knuckledragging mental cases roaming this Country.
Usually, the "heavy-weights" will endorse a candidate, right at the beginning. OR, when the candidate looks to "close the deal"! It seems, that the GOP heavy's, are using their endorsement to save their choice from sliding into the abyss! Limping to the convention. Understatement. Romney had BETTER lock this up soon. Send the pretenders HOME.
Mitt finally makes it into the Tea-Party!
it is up to ky voters too get rid of CANTOR!
since he's from virginia - it may be difficult for ky votrers to do anything about Cantor
So, ambitious Little Eric boi has begun campaigning for a VP nod. If selected by Romney, I sure hope Eric resigns from Congress to run.
Most Americans are realizing Romney is the best candidate, with 25 years working in the Real world; and who was also a Governor.
Romney is a true leader, who's been a proven leader throughout his life, in every aspect of his life.
Romney is an honest, well-balanced, very intelligent man with both MBA-business and a J.D. -law degrees.
Romney is a true public servant, who did not take a salary when he was Governor of Massachusetts, and did not take a salary when the turned-around a failing Olympics and made it successful.
Romney has donated his time and expertise for free, as needed., as well.
"Romney is a true public servant who did not take a salary from Olympics"....
Nice misleading spin there Paul - Romney actually received $1.4 million dollars in compensation for his work with the Olympics! -
Don't let the facts get in the way of a good post!
Cantor endorses Romney?
Not really. This is one Supply Sider patting the butt of another Supply Sider.
Romney has NO political principles EXCEPT adopting position that depend on which way the political winds happen to be blowing on any given day!!
The Mitt Romney Report--written by MA conservatives
http://www.politifact.com/rhode-island/statements/2012/jan/13/einer-elhauge/harvard-law-professor-says-early-congress-mandated/
PS: I think Cantor had better address his 39% approval rating back in his district! Republicans are being awefully quiet because the crap they pulled for 3 1/2 years REALLY got them in trouble and they're counting on Joe America to forget that!
Mitt Romney no job creator, says a man who knows
"I find it personally insulting when Romney says his work at Bain created jobs," said Kastenbaum, a registered Republican who lives in Lafayette. "That's not what my experience was." http://tinyurl.com/89a5t52
How about a tally of # of jobs Romeny sent overseas or eliminated vs jobs created....
Of course, the Kock Brothers want Romney!
"gooble, gobble, one of us!"
"gooble, gobble, one of us!"
A cantor endorsement is like a Limbaugh or David Duke endorsement... The guy is a pompous slime ball and it will hurt Romney more than help him.
Cantor is a slimey douche! He will say and do anything his party wants. Of course he backs Romney - just another plastic artificial GOPer.
Cantor said in his interview Mitt had laid out a detailed plan to get the economy back on its feet and was the only one experienced enough to manage the US. Exactly where has this detailed plan been published?
Everyone should really study exactly what a takeover artist must know and have in order to succeed. It has nothing to do with running a government; it has everything to do with having enough leverage capital to buy large undervalued, diversified, companies and sell them off as parts or as a whole unit for profit.
Also Cantor and Mitt both appear to support Limbaugh when you look at their comments about his public statements about the female student and what they are going to do to prevent this type of thing from happening again - NOTHING!
well most of the clowns are in....let the GOP circus Begin....lol
Well who cares? If Virginian's have 1/2 a brain they will not re elect Cantor! He is beyond pathetic & has no credibility at all...In fact if I were Romney I would decline this very special endorsement, It comes with so much baggage & lies... Almost as bad as McConnell the biggest traitor this country has ever seen, in fact I wonder if he is not Benedict Arnold reincarnated...
Why does every f'en republican have to be conservative. If one had a brain he would say he is liberal so he might get the votes of people who vote with their brain not their bible. A conservative republican will ruin this country and make us all pray to Jesus. I am for abortion, gay rights, and other items that effect me as long as it does not hurt anybody else.
Look at what George Bush and Dick the "Dick" Chaney did to this country. We are still divided by their actions especially the wars they go us into.
So now that Romney has a brand spanking new endorsement from none other than scintillating effervescent Whip Cantor, who has never had a real job in his slimy life, we can now all relax we're safe...?
Was that Whip or Wimp?