American Conservative Union head: 'Time for conservatives to unite' behind Romney

The head of the influential American Conservative Union, Al Cardenas, endorsed Mitt Romney on Monday morning, adding his name to the list of prominent conservatives who've thrown their support behind the former Massachusetts governor in recent days.

"For the sake of our republic, I'm not willing to wait until the Republican National Convention to sort this out," Cardenas writes in an op-ed for the Daily Caller announcing his support. "I'm calling on my fellow conservatives, for goals both lofty and pragmatic, to join me in supporting the only candidate that can ensure President Obama's legacy is limited to just four years of fiscal irresponsibility and disregard for our Constitution, and not eight."

Cardenas worked for Romney's campaign in 2008 and introduced him at this February's Conservative Political Action Conference, but as head of the ACU had remained neutral in the race — until now.

He joins House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) and Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), a Tea Party favorite, in recent Romney endorsements.

There is a push by some in the GOP to rally around Romney and end the primary soon so as to avoid additional intra-party bloodletting. Other conservative Republicans who've praised Romney in recent days include Sens. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and Jim DeMint (R-S.C.).

This post was updated at 11:30 a.m.

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