Rick Santorum received an endorsement of dubious value Thursday, from former tea party darling and failed 2010 Senate candidate Sharron Angle.
“Rick Santorum and I have known each other for years,” said Angle in a press release from the Santorum campaign. “He is a strong fiscal and social conservative who stands on principles above politics. He has never wavered in his support for family values, understanding the impact that strong families have on a prosperous economy. His continuous opposition to amnesty, Obamacare, the bail-outs, and cap and trade are a perfect fit with our main street tea party movement.”
Angle’s standing in Nevada conservative politics is weaker than it once was, following her failed run against Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
“Her brand is trash,” opined one Nevada conservative activist. “She lost to a guy with 55 percent unfavorables.”
Nonetheless, her endorsement could give Santorum — currently in fourth place in the polls in the Silver State — a small bump.
“It may have some marginal positive effect with the most extreme conservatives within the party,” said University of Nevada, Reno politics professor Eric Hezik. “Sharron Angle’s influence has waned since her disastrous run against Harry Reid. She still has a hard core of supporters and that group may be looking for a non-Romney alternative.”
But, Herzik pointed out, “I doubt these folks would back Romney in any case so it likely won’t affect his support levels. As Gingrich has sold himself as the conservative alternative, it could have some marginal negative for Newt. At the end of the day, I don’t think Santorum displaces either Paul or Gingrich for positions two and three behind Romney.”
UPDATE: Sources tell The Daily Caller that Angle will fly to Las Vegas to hold a rally with Santorum at his campaign headquarters on Friday.