Romney Endorses McCain In Arizona Primary

Mitt Romney endorsed John McCain in his primary fight against JD Hayworth today, little acknowledging the sometimes tense rivalry they developed during the 2008 Republican presidential primaries. “For years, I've been an admirer of John McCain. Then we became competitors. Today, I'm proud to call him my friend,” Romney said in a statement released this morning. It is “hard to imagine the United States Senate without John McCain.”

“Senator McCain's record of service and sacrifice for America is honored by all,” Romney continued. “But I believe that it is his core values of courage, faith, and honor … that make Senator McCain's leadership in the Senate so necessary.” Romney’s the latest high-profile conservative to endorse McCain; Grover Norquist and Dick Armey have backed him as well, and Sarah Palin and Scott Brown intend to campaign for him next month. (More Mitt Romney stories.)