Free Republic

Pennsylvania Sen. Pat Toomey endorsed Marco Rubio for president Wednesday, describing the Florida senator as a "thoughtful conservative leader" he believes will appeal to voters in Pennsylvania and across the country. Just hours later, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum quit the presidential race and also endorsed Rubio, calling him a "born leader" who shares his views on the central role of the family and on the national security threats facing the country. The support from Toomey and Santorum comes as Rubio is seeking to solidify backing from the GOP establishment after his third-place finish in Iowa. Toomey, a Republican from...

A real conservative and a real liberal face off for the party-switcher’s seat. Philadelphia — Both men have taken on their parties. Both hold Harvard degrees. And they seem to like each other, at least personally. But that’s where the similarities end between the two candidates in Pennsylvania’s Senate race, a clash Karl Rove predicts will “be among the country’s hardest fought.” Republican Pat Toomey, 48, a former congressman from the Lehigh Valley, now faces Rep. Joe Sestak (D., Pa.), 58, a former Navy admiral. Sestak’s victory in Tuesday’s Democratic primary, where he toppled Sen. Arlen Specter, a 30-year incumbent,...