Romney to endorse McCain in Republican race -
Formal endorsement is message to conservatives to get behind Arizona senator
By Robert Schroeder, MarketWatch
Last update: 2:06 p.m. EST Feb. 14, 2008
WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney will endorse Sen. John McCain as the Republican nominee for president, reports said Thursday.
Romney, who had hotly sparred with McCain in debates before bowing out of the race, will formally announce his endorsement in Boston at 3:30 p.m. Eastern, CNN said. McCain is reportedly flying to Boston from Rhode Island, where he has been campaigning, to join Romney at the announcement.
Romney, well-liked by GOP conservatives, had attacked McCain's conservative credentials in debates. His endorsement is expected to throw the support of many of the party's conservatives, who are still wary of McCain, to the Arizona senator.
Romney suspended his campaign a week ago after losing multiple states to McCain in the "Super Tuesday" contests.
If McCain picks up all of the 288 delegates Romney has won, he would have the nomination locked up. A Republican candidate needs 1,191 delegates to secure the nomination. McCain currently has 821. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee trails with 241.
On Feb. 7, Romney bowed out of the race, largely clearing the path for McCain's nomination. On the same day, McCain spoke to a conservative political group in a bid to convince them he's one of them.
Robert Schroeder is a reporter for MarketWatch in Washington. |
