DeMint's office denies report of possible Romney endorsement

Sen. Jim DeMint's (R-S.C.) office is strongly denying a story in Roll Call Monday that says that Mitt Romney is the "favorite" to receive the senator's endorsement.

"That story is a fabrication made up of anonymous sources that obviously have no clue what Senator DeMint is thinking," Wesley Denton, a spokesman for DeMint, said in a statement to Slate. "He has said over and over again that he is not leaning toward any candidate yet and may end up not endorsing in the presidential race."

The article cites anonymous sources that say that DeMint is "far more likely to endorse Mitt than anyone else currently in the race," despite perceptions that Romney is not as conservative as other candidates. But the piece does hedge, reporting the senator wants to hear more from the candidates about their view on congressional appropriations, and still might not endorse.

DeMint endorsed the former Massachusetts governor during his 2008 run for the White House, but has said since that he was unhappy with the implementation of Romney's universal healthcare law in the state.

The senator has been perhaps the most vocal advocate for the Tea Party platform in the Senate, providing him credibility with conservative voters. Coupled with his ties to South Carolina, a pivotal early primary state that has been won by the eventual nominee in every contest since 1980, DeMint's endorsement has been highly sought after. DeMint also leads a political action committee that has been influential in recruiting rising stars in the Tea Party movement, including Sens. Rand Paul (Ky.) and Marco Rubio (Fla.).

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