Despite that big South Carolina newspaper endorsement, not a surprise, the only issue was when, and that’s now.
Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman will withdraw his bid for the Republican presidential nomination, Fox News confirmed Sunday.
Huntsman is set to announce his withdrawal from the race Monday at 11:00 a.m. at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center in South Carolina, at which time he will endorse GOP candidate Mitt Romney.
After several days of discussion with his family, friends and campaign advisers, the former Obama administration Ambassador to China told aides he is ending his presidential campaign.
“Governor Huntsman was encouraged in New Hampshire, but does not want to stand in the way of the best candidate to beat Barack Obama and will endorse Romney tomorrow,” an aide for Huntsman told Fox News.
South Carolina senior staffers for Huntsman say they are “stunned,” but partially relieved because they feel the state had been neglected by a lack of resources and attention.
NY Times has the Romney endorsement info:
“The governor and his family, at this point in the race, decided it was time for Republicans to rally around a candidate who could beat Barack Obama and turn around the economy,” Matt David, Mr. Huntsman’s campaign manager, said in an interview Sunday evening. “That candidate is Gov. Mitt Romney.”
But Mr. Huntsman’s decision was unlikely to have any particular influence where Mr. Romney needs it most, among social and religious conservatives who remain wary of Mr. Romney’s ideological inconsistency. With the withdrawal of Mr. Huntsman, who despite his efforts to portray himself as more conservative than Mr. Romney was often viewed as the moderate in the race, the South Carolina primary is now Mr. Romney against an array of opponents coming at him from the right.
Additional Link:
Real Clear Politics: Huntsman to Drop Out, Endorse Romney
No real surprise. Huntsman was barely in the race to begin with. Other than garnering praise from a few liberals in the media he was just a blip on the radar screen. He would have been better off challenging the Dumb Bastard for the Democratic nomination.
Well, well, well. Huntsman has successfully padded his resume'(as I predicted!), and wasted the time, money and energy of the delusional workers and moneymen who thought he had a snowball’s chance in he** of winning the nomination.
Pucker up and let the a-kissing for Romney begin Jo(h)n.
posted 1/16 955am Texas [Egg Drop Soup] Time.
“Well it looks like it’s Mitt’s turn this year. But at least now I’m in line! (patience Jon, patience) And by the way, I take back all those things I said on the campaign trail.”
Tea Party Congress!