LETTER: Santorum Supporter Calls for Republicans to Unite

By Dennis Markell

I am a proud Santorum supporter. Here are my views on (yesterday's) news.

The senator's success highlights an important group within our Republican party. Call it the "Blue Collar" wing, we are the sons and daughters of immigrants and independent-minded, hard working Americans. Our parents and grandparents arrived here with nothing. Some became wealthy, but most lived modestly. We witnessed the success of others who had the will, perseverance and talent to become successful - their success earned from sweat, not a silver spoon. We witnessed the joy of families free from government tyranny. Our grandparents embraced an open and free America as they moved freely around the country, state to state, coast to coast. Up and down the "social ladder" they moved - free to become the people the chose to be - not simply submit to a meaningless subservient existence in an anemic and stagnant socialist quagmire-state. We Santorum supporters are proud of our values and our candidate. We were given our chance, we were heard and we will continue to speak loudly.

I congratulate my Romney brethren. While I was a Santorum supporter, I understand the thought in supporting a moderate candidate with appeal outside of our party. Critics arguing that Republicans are "right wing" and "obstructionist" have no standing now. Our Republican party has a broad, firm and moderate center. We are a party of centrist and moderate thought.  We are also a party of  benevolent and generous hearts. Democrats own no moral high ground. My fellow Republicans are generous ( NOT rich).  We wish (and, yes, even pray) for all Americans to live peacefully, without hunger, in healthy and productive lives. The "Romney Center" has earned the right to represent our party in the general election. There is much left to prove, however. Our party nominated a moderate in 2008. We have done so again for 2012. Now is the time to prove the moderate approach works.

Let us now unite and take our case to our fellow citizens. Let us all work hard to prove to our friends and neighbors that the Republican party is not a party of the rich, but the party for all.

Dennis Markell

Bedford, NH