Breaking: Tom Monaghan endorses Mitt Romney

Tom Monaghan is the pizza tycoon who founded Domino's Pizza. While he is currently building a town and school in Naples, FL, he started his business and spent his career in Michigan, where Mitt Romney desperately needs a win come next Tuesday's primary.

Ironically, however, Monaghan has managed to rub so many Michiganders the wrong way that I can't forsee that his endorsement would help the Romney campaign very much at all. Indeed, it might hinder.

On this point, I disagree strongly with Hugh Hewitt who says that "Monaghan's decision to announce today is a clear signal to social conservatives that it is time to chose and get in the game" or again when he says that Monaghan is "leading the way that social conservatives should follow."

Frankly, I don't know anyone who considers Monaghan a political weathervane, let alone a mover and shaker. Monaghan has completely uprooted his empire from Michigan and gone south to Florida. And such a move can hardly be understood as a resounding vote of confidence in Michigan.

Monaghan's last endorsement, of pro-life Senator Sam Brownback, went promptly nowhere.

From the press release:

[Monaghan:] "It is an honor for me to endorse Governor Mitt Romney for President. He is a proven leader and has demonstrated his effectiveness in multiple arenas - in his successful business ventures, the running of the Olympics and in politics. I had first hand experience of Mitt's effectiveness and expertise during the sale of Domino's Pizza to Bain Capital," said Tom Monaghan. "Most importantly, Governor Romney is a man of principle. As someone who values the importance of faith in one's life, I recognize in Mitt his deep religious convictions which will serve him well in facing the critical moral issues facing our society. I believe he will stand firm on the pro-life issues and for the traditional family values that our country was founded on and which are so critical to the future of our nation."

With today's announcement, Governor Romney said, "Having known Tom since 1998, I am proud to have his support in this critical election. As a successful business man, he has also been a strong supporter of conservative causes across the country. His philanthropic work has touched the lives of millions."

I wonder who initiated the endorsement - Romney or Monaghan? I'm betting Romney.

Google news feed.

"Domino's Pizza founder tosses money, influence to Sen. Brownback"

An interesting confluence of people and subjects:

WASHINGTON - The passion of Tom Monaghan: Pizza. God. Sam Brownback.

The Domino's pizza founder, one of the nation's richest and most controversial Roman Catholic philanthropists, is putting his money and influence into making Brownback, the Republican Kansas senator, the next president of the United States.

The former pizza magnate is advising the 2008 presidential exploratory committee for Brownback, a longtime social conservative who converted to Catholicism a few years ago. Monaghan, who declined an interview request, is expected to play a lead role in "Catholics for Brownback."

More important, his support is likely to be a big help to Brownback's fundraising, which is currently regarded as the weakest part of Brownback's candidacy.

"He brings to the table recognition in the Catholic community," said Marlene Elwell, a Michigan political activist who used to work for Monaghan. "It's always positive to have a leader in a community endorse you."

But the extent of Monaghan's religious fervor could raise eyebrows among more secular voters. [full article.]