Social Conservative Leader Gary Bauer Endorses Rick Santorum
Social conservative leader Gary Bauer endorsed Rick Santorum at a campaign event in South Carolina on Saturday.
In a Sunday press release, Bauer said, “the main 'pillars' of Senator Santorum's governing philosophy – smaller, constitutionally-based government, lower taxes, a strong and confident American role in the world to keep our nation safe, a commitment to defending America's families and defending the sanctity of life – is exactly the blueprint to put America back on the right track.”
Bauer was previously president of the Family Research Council and helped build that organization into the top advocacy organization and think tank representing social conservatives. Bauer also served in the Department of Education under President Ronald Reagan. Currently, he heads Campaign for Working Families and American Values.
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Bauer ran for president in 2000. After dropping out of the race, Bauer endorsed Sen. John McCain (Ariz.). McCain lost that year to President George W. Bush, but became the Republican nominee in 2008. Recently, McCain endorsed Santorum's rival, Mitt Romney.
Bauer was reportedly among the conservative leaders who met in Texas on Saturday to discuss how they might be able to unite behind a single candidate to win the nomination against former Massachusetts Governor Romney.
Social conservatives are, generally speaking, splitting their votes among former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, Texas Governor Rick Perry, and former Pennsylvania Senator Santorum. If social conservative voters threw their weight behind one of those three candidates, that candidate would have a better chance of winning the nomination.
Romney is not opposed to social conservative positions. He is pro-life and opposes same-sex marriage. Many social conservative leaders worry, however, that he would be too soft in promoting those policies in the public square.
Bauer also put his endorsement on his Facebook page, writing, “After careful consideration and prayer, I have decided to publicly endorse Senator Rick Santorum today in Greenville, South Carolina, for the Republican presidential nomination. I believe virtually all of these candidates are men who would be fantastic presidents compared to Barack Obama. My endorsement of Rick Santorum is in no way meant to be critical of the others.”
Santorum lost to Romney in the Iowa caucus by only eight votes. Romney is expected to win Tuesday's New Hampshire primary. Santorum is hoping for a big win in the South Carolina primary on Jan. 21, but polls show Romney is currently leading there as well and has received the endorsement of the state's governor, Nikki Haley.
