LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Bitter consequence of misplaced loyalty

OPINION:

I lived in Pennsylvania during the 2004 Republican senatorial primary. I supported conservative Pat Toomey against liberal Republican Arlen Specter. Former Sen. Rick Santorum, now a presidential hopeful, endorsed Mr. Specter in the very tight race.

Thanks in part to Mr. Santorum’s endorsement, Mr. Specter won by a mere 17,000 votes with more than a million votes cast.

Later, Mr. Specter switched parties and officially became a Democrat, in which iteration he voted for Obamacare. The plan passed the Senate on Dec. 24, 2009, with a filibuster-proof vote. I hold Mr. Santorum’s endorsement of Mr. Specter in part responsible for the passage of Obamacare.

Republicans have to send a strong message by stymying Mr. Santorum’s campaign for the Republican nomination for president. We will not support anyone responsible for helping to pass the unconstitutional Obamacare.

JOHN BLOOM

Newport News, Va.