Timing is everything
On Monday, Congressman Howard Coble endorsed Mitt Romney in the Republican presidential primary. On Thursday, Romney drops out after a bad day on Super Tuesday.
About an hour ago I get a tremendously funny e-mail from a colleague who suggests: "If only Romney had given Howard's endorsement more time to work!"
I have a call in to Coble to see what's on his mind right now.
Update: Coble said he didn't first endorse anyone back when there were eight or nine candidates because his constituents were all over the map.
But he took the step of endorsing Romney Monday because it was down to two people - Romney and McCain - who he saw as having a viable shot.
"I felt not uncomfortable coming aboard even knowing that the chance of victory was slim ... I have no regrets," Coble said.
Coble attended a briefing Romney held with his Capitol Hill supporters Thursday afternoon. He said that Romney told them that he had won California on election day, but was beat by those who sent in their ballots early.
"One thing I took away from it, don't color him gone," Coble said, adding he though Romney could make another presidential run in the future.
When asked about Arizona Sen. John McCain, someone who can almost claim the title of presumptive Republican nominee, Coble said, "I'll support him. But not in the spirited way that I supported Romney. But I'll support him."
