GOP hopefuls quietly line up endorsements

By Charlie Neibergall, AP

Former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty supports GOP candidates through his political action committee.

EnlargeCloseBy Charlie Neibergall, AP

Former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty supports GOP candidates through his political action committee.

For Republicans considering presidential bids, a representative's or senator's endorsement might not make or break their campaigns but it can bulk up their credentials when the primaries begin early next year and, in some cases, open up access to a network of new supporters.

'GANG OF SIX': Hopes to spur bipartisan action on deficitROMNEY: Explores '12 presidential run DeMint said, in his case, candidates were looking to tap his network of supporters inside the Tea Party movement both in his state of South Carolina and across the country. "I think in my role with Senate Conservatives Fund and working with grass-roots organizations all over the country has led a number of the candidates to talk with me," he said. "I'm happy about it because it allows us to talk about what those principles are that I think are pretty important."

Several lawmakers in key primary states also acknowledged GOP hopefuls have been subtly courting them through public appearances at events and private meetings.

Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, who hosted a conservative forum March 26 that attracted several potential contenders, said he has been asked by candidates for his support but declined to elaborate on who requested his endorsement. "It's a great privilege, it's a very rare privilege," he said. "To the extent that anyone cares what I think about these candidates, I need to be very judicious about what I say."

But the value of congressional endorsements is often debated, since they don't come with votes. "I mean some of them will try to, I'm sure, line up endorsements of senators in key states (such as) Iowa, New Hampshire, maybe South Carolina, but I'm not sure how helpful that is in this environment where incumbents are generally not liked," DeMint said

"If there is a popular congressman that is from a key state they can matter a lot, if they have the ability to raise money," said Steve Elmendorf, a former top adviser for Democratic Sen. John Kerry's presidential run in 2004. "In the big scheme of things, they don't matter much."

In some cases, lots of endorsements in the House and Senate can show political heft. In 2000, then-Texas governor George W. Bush secured 214 members of Congress for his bid for the Republican nomination, leaving Arizona Sen. John McCain with only 12 congressional backers.

GOP endorsements in 2008 were scattered between several candidates, including former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, who announced Monday he had formed an exploratory committee to seek the 2012 nomination.

"Endorsements are not as important as a good organization and a good message," said former senator John Sununu, R-N.H.

The race to secure congressional endorsements, like the GOP race itself, has started slower than in previous years but some of the more prominent potential candidates have been laying the groundwork for some time.

Romney, former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty, former speaker Newt Gingrich, Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour and Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels have appeared on Capitol Hill to speak at various events and visit with lawmakers over the past few months.

Barbour will address the House GOP's Health Care Caucus this afternoon. Gingrich spoke to the group late last month.

Romney has maintained a presence on the Hill for the last two years through his Free and Strong America political action committee, as a speaker at several House Republican-sponsored events and private meetings with small groups of lawmakers.

"He's donated pretty heavily to a lot of campaigns through the PAC," said Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah. "He's been here in town a couple times, but when we were out of session."

Chaffetz, who said he had been asking colleagues within the House Republican Conference about their interest in Romney, said his support was not guaranteed.

"I love Romney," he said. "I had no idea that Jon Huntsman would be in the mix."

Pawlenty has also made a point to engage members. Like Romney, he has appeared at Republican retreats and donated money from his Freedom First PAC to support GOP candidates.

Rep. John Kline, R-Minn., a longtime Pawlenty supporter, said he plans to set up a series of events with his colleagues.

"I've been of the firm belief that when you sit down with Tim Pawlenty the chances are pretty doggone good that you will move in the direction of supporting him if not outright support," he said.

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