Upon the invitation of Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson, the expected republican winner of today's Missouri Beauty Pageant will be heading to beautiful Cape Girardeau next month. From the Southeast Missourian:
Santorum to speak at Cape Lincoln Day next month
Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum has scheduled a trip to Cape Girardeau next month, where he is to be the featured speaker at the local GOP's Lincoln Day event.
Santorum, a former senator from Pennsylvania, was invited by U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, a Cape Girardeau Republican, who confirmed Monday that he had accepted.[...]
"He really understands blue collar, Middle America," Emerson said. "He has the best overall, well-rounded understanding of some of the challenges in a state like ours. I am so happy he accepted my invitation."
While this might not seem totally out of the ordinary given that congresscritters regularly invite presidential candidates of their own party to campaign with them in order to get national attention, raise money and get a photo-op, what makes it interesting is that Emerson is refusing to state who she's voting for or make any formal endorsement, even though she's already received a nice chunk of change from Romney.
Taking money from Mittens. Inviting Santorum to speak. What's next? Sharing a stage with Newt Gingrich? A fundraiser with Ron Paul?
Me thinks that Emerson is wanting to appeal to the right-wing fringe backing Santorum, given that she's facing a primary from them in the form of Bob Barker.
Instead of being an opportunist, trying to please one wing of the party by supporting their candidate all the while taking money from the ultimate flip-flopper, Emerson should just come out with her endorsement instead of playing coy. But don't hold your breath.
