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John McCain to Endorse Romney

Move doesn't surprise Rick Santorum

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 4, 2012 4:14 AM CST

(Newser) – As Mitt Romney heads to New Hampshire following his razor-thin win in Iowa, he can expect an endorsement from the man who trounced him there four years ago. John McCain plans to endorse Romney and will travel with him on his campaign bus through the state, a campaign insider tells the New York Times. Romney endorsed McCain after dropping out of the race in 2008.

Rick Santorum—who endorsed Romney in 2008, as a way, he said this week, to stop McCain's bid for the nomination—said that while McCain is a great man with whom it was an honor to serve in the Senate, he was surprised that the Romney endorsement hadn't come sooner. "John is a more moderate member of the Republican team, and I think he fits in with Newt's—excuse me, with Mitt's—view of the world," he told CNN.

John McCain, joined by Mitt Romney, talks to supporters at a town hall meeting in Arizona last year. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

John McCain pauses as he address media and supporters in Cleveland, Ohio, Monday, Oct. 27, 2008. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

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John McCain to Endorse Romney

Move doesn't surprise Rick Santorum

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Mitt Romney • John McCain • New Hampshire primary • political endorsement • Iowa caucuses • Rick Santorum • Election 2012 • Mitt Romney 2012 • Rick Santorum 2012 • Republican nomination race 2012

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More Newser Stories

Iowa Was Actually 'a Split Decision'

Who won? Well, either Mitt Romney or Rick Santorum

John McCain Endorses Mitt Romney

Says his former rival 'will lead from the front'

Latest Poll: Iowa Nearly a 3-Way Tie

Candidates make last-minute preparations

Romney, Paul, Santorum 1-2-3 in Another Iowa Poll

And Santorum is surging

Santorum Endorses Romney via Email

'We agree that Obama must be defeated,' he tells supporters

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