Chairman of the Republican Governors Association Bob McDonnell (R-Va.) said Wednesday that he expected Mitt Romney to wrap up the GOP race quickly and called on Rick Santorum to back the presumptive nominee.
"I think he can get enthusiastically behind Mitt Romney, ask all of his supporters, both fiscal and social conservatives, to enthusiastically get behind Mitt Romney, work for him and keep their eyes on the big prize, which is winning the presidency, but more importantly governing well for America," said McDonnell on CBS's "This Morning."
Santorum, who announced on Tuesday that he was exiting the GOP contest, did not mention Romney in his speech and has not endorsed any of the remaining GOP candidates.
Romney reportedly has asked Santorum for a meeting in hopes of earning his backing. But rival Newt Gingrich also made a pitch for Santorum’s delegates to back him as the conservative alternative to the GOP front-runner.
McDonnell praised Santorum, who rocketed into the GOP race after a come-from-behind victory in Iowa’s first-in-the-nation caucuses.
"He ran a very spirited campaign, with very limited financial resources, worked hard, brought a lot of energy, volunteers to the party. I think him giving, getting out at this time was the right thing," he said.
McDonnell, a prominent Romney backer, predicted the former Massachusetts governor would be able to rally conservative and independent support as his campaign pivots toward the general-election fight with President Obama.
"I think the enthusiasm will quickly pick up. People will unify now around Mitt Romney because the goal is to win the presidency and I think conservatives, independents, clear-thinking moderates are going to get behind Mitt Romney," said McDonnell.
McDonnell, who has been discussed as a possible Romney running mate, said he was focused on his job as governor of Virginia.
Asked about what qualities Romney should look for in the vice presidential slot, McDonnell said the selection needed to be "someone who's got the same mission as Mitt Romney, who's going to focus on jobs and deficit reduction and a comprehensive vision for energy. And can bring people together."
McDonnell’s home state, Virginia, is a key battleground in the 2012 election. The state backed Obama in the 2008 race over GOP nominee Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), but McDonnell predicted the state would swing for Romney in November.
