"On Friday, Governor Romney came to Pittsburgh for an over-hour
long one-on-one meeting. The conversation was candid, collegial and
focused on the issues that you helped me give voice to during our
campaign; because I believe they are essential ingredients to not only
winning this fall, but turning our country around.
While the issue of my endorsement did not come up, I
certainly have heard from many of you who have weighed in on whether or
not I should issue a formal endorsement. Thank you for your counsel, it
has been most helpful. However, I felt that it was completely impossible
for me to even consider an endorsement until after a meeting to discuss
issues critical to those of us who often feel our voices are not heard
by the establishment: social conservatives, tea-party supporters, lower
and middle income working families.
Clearly without the overwhelming support from you all, I
never would have won 11 states and over 3 million votes, and we would
not have won more counties than all the other candidates combined. I can
assure you that even though I am no longer a candidate for president, I
will still continue to fight every day for our shared values - the
values that made America the greatest country in the history of the
world.
During our meeting I felt a deep responsibility to assess
Governor Romney's commitment to addressing the issues most important to
conservatives, as well his commitment to ensuring our appropriate
representation in a Romney administration.
The family and its foundational role in America's economic
success, a central point of our campaign, was discussed at length. I
was impressed with the Governor's deep understanding of this connection
and his commitment to economic policies that preserve and strengthen
families. He clearly understands that having pro-family initiatives are
not only the morally and economically right thing to do, but that the
family is the basic building block of our society and must be preserved.
I also shared with Governor Romney my belief that we
cannot restore America as the greatest economic engine the world has
ever seen until we return America to being a manufacturing superpower.
He listened very carefully to my advice on this matter, and while our
policy prescriptions differed, he clearly expressed his desire to create
more opportunities for those that are feeling left behind in this
economy.
As it is often said, "personnel is policy." I strongly
encouraged Governor Romney as he builds out his campaign staff and
advisors that he add more conservative leaders as an integral part of
his team. And you can be sure that I will work with the Governor to help
him in this task to ensure he has a strong team that will support him
in his conservative policy initiatives.
Of course we talked about what it would take to win this
election. As you know I started almost every speech with the phrase that
this was the most important election since the election of 1860 and
four more years of President Obama is simply not an option. As I
contemplated what further steps I will take, that reality weighed heavy
on me. The America we know is being fundamentally changed to look more
like a European socialist state than the land of opportunity our
founding fathers established.
Freedom and personal responsibility are being replaced
with big government dependency. The greatest and most productive workers
in the world are being hamstrung by excessive regulations making it
impossible to compete. Our healthcare system had been socialized, and
the worth of each life dictated by some government bureaucrat. Our
allies are insulted while our enemies are appeased. And our religious
beliefs and freedom have come under attack.
What is even more troubling is what a second term of an
Obama administration could bring. President Obama's admission to the
Russians that he will have more flexibility in a second term can only be
translated to "if you thought I was liberal in the first four years you
haven't seen anything yet!"
The primary campaign certainly made it clear that Governor
Romney and I have some differences. But there are many significant
areas in which we agree: the need for lower taxes, smaller government,
and a reduction in out-of-control spending. We certainly agree that
abortion is wrong and marriage should be between one man and one woman. I
am also comfortable with Governor Romney on foreign policy matters, and
we share the belief that we can never allow Iran to possess nuclear
weapons. And while I had concerns about Governor Romney making a case as
a candidate about fighting against Obamacare, I have no doubt if
elected he will work with a Republican Congress to repeal it and replace
it with a bottom up, patient, not government, driven system.
Above all else, we both agree that President Obama must be
defeated. The task will not be easy. It will require all hands on deck
if our nominee is to be victorious. Governor Romney will be that nominee
and he has my endorsement and support to win this the most critical
election of our lifetime.
My conversation with Governor Romney was very productive,
but I intend to keep lines of communication open with him and his
campaign. I hope to ensure that the values that made America that
shining city on the hill are illuminated brightly by our party and our
candidates thus ensuring not just a victory, but a mandate for
conservative governance.
Karen and I know firsthand how difficult the campaign
trail can be particularly as governor Romney faces relentless attacks
from the democrats. We have been praying for him and his family and will
continue to do so in the weeks and months ahead.
I look forward to working together to defeat President
Obama this fall and to protect faith, family, freedom and opportunity in
America."
