Brownback Prepares To Withdraw

Per the Associated Press.

My guess: he endorses Giuliani or McCain, or makes some sort of deal with one of them vis-a-vis his Iowa organization.

Comments

Brownback endorsing Giuliani? Even after his ambivalent answer during the last debate about whether he could support a pro-choice nominee?

It's possible, I guess, but it'd be a real surprise to me.

Posted by nctodc | October 18, 2007 10:21 AM

I could see the Senate pragmatist in him endorsing McCain, or the social conservative in him endorsing Huckabee, but I don't really see what would draw him to Giuliani.

Bronwnback is a lot more restrained/pragmatic on Iraq than Giuliani, and Giuliani's aggressiveness regarding the middle east seems to be his biggest selling point to the party.

Posted by Dave White | October 18, 2007 10:48 AM

Interesting take, Marc. Why would you think it probable he back RG?

Posted by David | October 18, 2007 12:08 PM

I have to agree with previous posters: it's very hard for me to see Brownback endorsing the pro-choice Giuliani; do you have inside info, here, Marc? Huckabee is the closest ideologically, but the spat between the two in Iowa may nix that.

And even if Brownback and McCain are Senate pals, McCain is against the "Federal Marriage Amendment," which is almost as important to Brownback as abortion.

That said, a Brownback endorsement might wound Romney's efforts to unite the Christianists behind him.

Posted by Madorsky | October 18, 2007 12:36 PM

There is no way he endorses Rudy. Brownback flatout said at a debate (Thompson's first) that he will support the Republican nominee if he were pro-life. Rudy is not pro-life.

I predict that Brownback will endorse Fred or Huck.

Posted by Stevo | October 18, 2007 12:56 PM

"All for Jesus, all for Jesus, all for Jesus." -- Brownback's stump speech in Iowa.

The Mormon version of Jesus sounds mainstream Christian until it is parsed. So Brownback's 'All for Jesus' remark cannot be reconciled with support for Mitt.

Needless to say, Saint Rudy's personal life and policy positions should, logically, place him beyond the pale of any morally consistent Christian voter.

If Brownback casts his support to Mitt or Rudy, Jesus will end up with something less than all.

Posted by Joe Schembrie | October 18, 2007 12:59 PM

Brownback could endorse McCain ala Gary Bauer endorsing McCain in 2000 after Bauer dropped out of the race. People inside the beltway may understand more than the rank-and-file that McCain has been more consistenly conservative on the hot-button social issues as any of the four first-tier GOP candidates.

Posted by kj | October 18, 2007 1:28 PM

Grammatical correction: THAN any of the OTHER THREE first-tier GOP candidates.

Posted by kj | October 18, 2007 1:29 PM

If Sam were to support Giuliani, I'll eat my hat.

Posted by Psycheout | October 18, 2007 3:58 PM

I can't believe that a person who pretends to be a journalist would even say something as outrageous as Brownback would endorse Rudy.

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/10/19/420221.aspx
The Kansas senator did acknowledge, however, that he is convinced the Republican Party will nominate a “pro-life candidate,” and he feels that Giuliani does not fit the bill. “

Posted by Stevo | October 19, 2007 5:11 PM