Friday, February 01, 2008

Mitt Romney “Understands Why He’s a Conservative”   [Kathryn Jean Lopez]

Rick Santorum just endorsed Mitt Romney, on Laura Ingraham’s radio show.

He told a disturbing story about being at the Susan B. Anthony List dinner the other night, the night after Super Tuesday Florida Primary. He says a McCain guy went up to him and said “we beat you.” Santorum thought, “what do you mean, you beat me?” He, after all hadn’t endorsed anyone. He meant conservatives, the former senator concluded.

"If you're a conservative, there is really only one place to go right now ... and that's Mitt Romney."

UPDATE: An alternative read which makes a lot of sense: 

Maybe what the McCain person meant by "we beat you" is that they beat Santorum, who may not have endorsed anyone, but who certainly has been vigorously criticizing McCain to anyone who would listen.  I will note that from Santorum, I could take these criticisms a bit more seriously if he hadn't been so anxious to accept McCain's help when he was seeking re-election in 2006.  In an ideal world, politics shouldn't get too personal, but if I were in McCain's shoes, I have to say I would feel a bit as though Santorum had knifed me in the back.  That feeling among McCain and his supporters is no doubt what led to the "we beat you" exchange that you mention in your post.

02/01 10:31 AMShare