Tagged: Rick Santorum

Now that former candidates Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum are endorsing Mitt Romney to be the Republican nominee for president, the GOP is working to get the rank and file to fall in line.

That's especially important in swing states like Florida. But in the primary, Romney struggled in the Panhandle of the Sunshine State — a bastion of conservative voters. And it might take more convincing for them to really get behind the former Massachusetts governor.

Back in January, the day before the Florida primary, retired schoolteacher Jane Hayes was dressed in red, white and blue at a Pensacola rally for Gingrich. She said at the time that she could not support Romney.

Good morning, here are some of the headlines we're following:

Santorum Endorses Romney.

Clinton Hopes To Soon Welcome Chinese Activist Chen To The U.S.

Today's Primary Election In Indiana Could End Sen. Richard Lugar's Career.

Saying that "above all else, we both agree that President Obama must be defeated," Rick Santorum on Monday evening endorsed former Republican rival Mitt Romney's presidential bid.

In an email to supporters, the former Pennsylvania senator said that:

Transcript

LYNN NEARY, HOST:

This is MORNING EDITION from NPR News. I'm Lynn Neary.

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

And I'm Steve Inskeep. Good morning.

Income tax returns are due this week. And the Senate chose this week to take up a proposal that millionaires should pay a minimum tax. It's President Obama's so-called Buffett Rule. The rules of the Senate make it unlikely this measure will pass, but Democrats are eager to force a vote on it. Consider this an early shot in the general election campaign, now that most of Mitt Romney's rivals for the Republican nomination have dropped away.

Joining us now to talk about this, as she does most Mondays, is commentator Cokie Roberts. Cokie, good morning.

COKIE ROBERTS, BYLINE: Hi, Steve.

Some of the morning-after analyses of what Rick Santorum's exit from the Republican field means for the 2012 presidential campaign:

-- "Santorum's departure means [Mitt] Romney is finally in a position to draw to his ranks that part of the Republican electorate that until now has preferred his numerous rivals." (It's All Politics)