Rick Santorum has officially dropped his 2016 presidential bid. Which means he’s now free to throw his support behind one of the remaining candidates.
He’s decided on Marco Rubio:
.@RickSantorum: I am endorsing @marcorubio for President; and I don't endorse lightly -OTR #greta @FoxNews
— Greta Van Susteren (@greta) February 4, 2016
Santorum says Rubio is a "born leader." Says he "prayed on it" before making decision to endorse. @CBSMiami https://t.co/OftCdNh6Pv
— Rick Folbaum (@RickFolbaum) February 4, 2016
For some, the news comes as a big surprise:
I'm honestly shocked. https://t.co/6jrhztIyjM
— Pradheep J. Shanker (@Neoavatara) February 4, 2016
Me neither. I assumed Cruz. https://t.co/WKvdxwkKcA
— Mickey White (@BiasedGirl) February 4, 2016
https://twitter.com/marinafang/status/695043485947314176
Rubio ran strongest among non-very conservative and non-religious voters… So the Santo endorsement is somewhat surprising.
— (((Harry Enten))) (@ForecasterEnten) February 4, 2016
I am unpleasantly surprised. REPUTE THE ENDORSEMENT!!! https://t.co/ej5r5wCSKm
— Dr Hugo Hackenbush (@MangyLover) February 4, 2016
Others don’t seem all that shocked:
And there it is. Figured Rubio to be the most likely, or Kasich. https://t.co/tRrNojoSxN
— Ed Morrissey (@EdMorrissey) February 4, 2016
As I hinted earlier, not at all shocked Santorum would endorse Rubio. Cruz stole his IA mojo & Rubio sincere SoCon. https://t.co/QCoUGDZlAB
— The Nats Won The World Series (@EsotericCD) February 4, 2016
Not surprised. Santorum and Rubio are similar on foreign policy, NSA and social issues. https://t.co/3uIJv6Ebxz
— Seth Root (@SethRoot1) February 4, 2016
Not surprising. https://t.co/EZWrgmqI0k
— Ashe Schow (@AsheSchow) February 4, 2016
https://twitter.com/gsainer/status/695043481350221824
So, will Santorum’s endorsement carry any weight?
https://twitter.com/petersuderman/status/695042278243454976
Joke all you want but Santorum brings a lot of influence.
— Senate Popular VotEEE (@EEElverhoy) February 4, 2016
Santorum doesn't have many voters to transfer to Rubio, but is respected by some socons who might be deciding between Rubio and Cruz.
— Jim Antle (@jimantle) February 4, 2016
He & Toomey could make a useful Pennsylvania team. https://t.co/uzVVCRs0NO
— Dan McLaughlin (@baseballcrank) February 4, 2016
Santorum's Rubio endorsement means exactly nothing for Rubio's future prospects in primary, but does prove Santorum's political sincerity.
— The Nats Won The World Series (@EsotericCD) February 4, 2016
Stay tuned …