Rick Santorum did not endorse any other GOP candidate.
The Live feed below has beenreplaced with a 14 minute video clip of the press conference.
Rick Santorum held a press conference announcing the end of his presidential bid. This will leave the front runner Mitt Romney, Ron Paul and Newt Gingrich as the three remaining candidates in the GOP race.
[Running Updates Below] Watching the press conference, Santorum cites prayer and thought while spending time with his daughter in the hospital. Talking about the reasons he decided to join the race to begin with.
Speaking of the people he met on the campaign trail and their concerns about the country.
Mentions his positive campaigning style versus negative campaigning. His family is surrounding him and visibly emotional. Also talking about America exceptionalism.
"We made the decision over the weekend that while this presidential race for us is over for us, for me, and we will suspend our campaign effective today, we are not done fighting."- Rick Santorum
More after the announcement......
[Update] Reactions are coming out from the other candidates.
Mitt Romney campaign statement:
"Senator Santorum is an able and worthy competitor, and I congratulate him on the campaign he ran. He has proven himself to be an important voice in our party and in the nation. We both recognize that what is most important is putting the failures of the last three years behind us and setting America back on the path to prosperity."
Newt Gingrich during a press conference, via Justin Sink of The Hill on Twitter:
Gingrich on Santorum: "I think it makes it clearer that there's a conservative, named Newt Gingrich, and there's Mitt Romney"
— Justin Sink (@JTSTheHill) April 10, 2012
More Gingrich on Santorum: "I have a great, great respect for how hard Rick worked, he was the personification of courage"
— Justin Sink (@JTSTheHill) April 10, 2012
The Gingrich campaign's official response:
"Rick has waged a remarkable campaign. His success is a testament to his tenacity and the power of conservative principles.
I am committed to staying in this race all the way to Tampa so that the conservative movement has a real choice. I humbly ask Senator Santorum’s supporters to visit Newt.org to review my conservative record and join us as we bring these values to Tampa. We know well that only a conservative can protect life, defend the Constitution, restore jobs and growth and return to a balanced budget."
Ron Paul's campaign statement, via National Campaign Chairman Jesse Benton at Ron Paul 2012:
"Congratulations to Senator Santorum on running such a spirited campaign. Dr. Paul is now the last – and real – conservative alternative to Mitt Romney. We plan to continue running hard, secure delegates, and press the fight for limited, constitutional government in Tampa."
The media articles are coming out fast and furiously.
CBS News, Fox News, Wapo, The Hill, CNN, GOP 12.
(Post and headline changed to reflect the press conference content)
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