Pat Boone Punches the Ticket for Rick Santorum

Over the weekend, entertainer Pat Boone --a longtime conservative activist --announced that he is backing Rick Santorum for the Republican presidential nomination. Boone, who had been a supporter of Ronald Reagan as early as 1966 when he ran for governor of California, compared Santorum to the former president.

"I am excited to endorse Rick Santorum for president, Boone said. I've known Rick for many years and Rick has been a consistent defender of conservatism and the values our great nation was founded upon. I began supporting my friend, Ronald Reagan, in the 1960s and I was a Reagan delegate at the 1976 convention because I saw in him a strong leader who would defend traditional America. I see many of those same qualities in Rick Santorum. He's experienced, honest, and deeply principled. Rick will make a brave and capable commander-in-chief, and I look forward to working with his campaign to retire Barack Obama this fall."

"I am proud to receive Pat's endorsement, Santorum said. Pat has been a stalwart advocate for conservatism dating back to his days campaigning for Ronald Reagan in California. I always enjoyed working with Pat during my time in the Senate and look forward to working with him moving forward as we look to restore core American principles to the Oval Office this November."