COMMENTARY | Rep. Frank Guinta was the only Republican in New Hampshire's congressional delegation who didn't endorse a candidate in do so. Sen. Kelly Ayotte and Congressman Charlie Bass endorsed Mitt Romney.
On her Facebook page, former Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter, whose seat Guinta won in 2010, chided him. Shea-Porter wrote this was "(t)he Frank Guinta we know so well. Yes and no. I will, I won't. I did, I didn't."
Guinta's refusal to endorse Rick Santorum is cowardice. He's afraid of alienating Mitt Romney should he be elected president.
Appearing in the spin room after Saturday night's presidential debate, Guinta told me he would make a decision after Sunday's debate. Praising Romney for a good job, he said Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum had good moments but hadn't done well enough to help themselves.
Guinta stressed the importance of New Hampshire's interests being represented in Washington. Apparently, that means not antagonizing Mitt Romney.
When asked if he, a freshman member of Congress, would consider the "coattails" of the candidate and their ability to win New Hampshire in November, Guinta said, "I want the most conservative candidate who can beat Barack Obama."
In his final primary campaign event in a restaurant in Manchester, Rick Santorum praised members of his campaign staff, mentioning they had helped Guinta win his House seat. He also praised Guinta as a fellow Italian-American.
Guinta was mayor of Manchester, which has a large Catholic population that Santorum is counting on. It's odd the conservative Guinta didn't endorse Santorum, with whom he shares ideological and organizational connections.
Why? Guinta lacks guts. There was a palpable sense after the two New Hampshire debates that Romney's nomination is inevitable.
Guinta's refusal to issue an endorsement is cowardice. For his own selfish reasons, he's afraid of alienating Romney should he be elected President. He also betrayed his ideological paisano. Santorum could use Guinta's support as he needs to win heavily in the 1st District.
On primary day, Guinta was attending an American Petroleum Institute meeting at the Radisson hotel, just one room down from where Santorum was being interviewed by a radio station. I told the congressman that the night before, Santorum has said some very nice things about him.
"Well, I've been saying nice things about him too," Guinta replied. "He's a good guy."
Loyalty means more than just saying nice things about an ally.
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