Discord Among Conservatives as Romney Picks Up Steam

At New York Times, "Discord in G.O.P. as Conservatives Air Differences."

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — With new calls on Monday for Republicans to rally around Mitt Romney as their presidential nominee, some conservatives showed new signs of fracturing despite a vote over the weekend by religious leaders to coalesce behind Rick Santorum as an anti-Romney alternative.

Jon M. Huntsman Jr., the moderate former governor of Utah whose candidacy did not live up to its early promise, dropped out of the race and endorsed Mr. Romney, saying, “It is now time for our party to unite around the candidate best equipped to defeat Barack Obama.

“Despite our differences and the space between us on some of the issues, I believe that candidate is Governor Mitt Romney.” Mr. Huntsman said.

But his call for unity came as evangelical leaders, intent on blocking Mr. Romney’s path to the nomination, showed new divisions after having appeared on Saturday to settle on Mr. Santorum as their conservative choice. Four conservative Christian leaders who attended a meeting of evangelicals in Texas asserted their independence on Monday, issuing a statement that said, “Many there were and still are for Newt Gingrich.”

Underscoring the party’s lack of unity, Mr. Santorum’s campaign released its first negative advertisement against Mr. Romney hours before the candidates gathered here for a debate. The ad called Mr. Romney, a former governor of Massachusetts, “more liberal than Ted Kennedy on social issues” and said he had inspired President Obama’s health care overhaul, meaning he would be unable to present a sharp contrast with Mr. Obama.

The ad highlighted how the battle for South Carolina’s evangelical and conservative voters — who make up 60 percent of the state’s registered Republicans — has boiled down to a two-man contest between Mr. Santorum and Mr. Gingrich. Neither candidate showed any sign that he was considering stepping aside.

Continue reading.

PREVIOUSLY: "Rick Santorum Goes Up With Merciless Ad Attacking Mitt Romney in South Carolina."