Did DeMint Endorse Romney? Mitt Thinks So

Despite winning Louisiana over the weekend, the uprising candidacy of former Sen. Rick Santorum is losing ground, as conservative leaders across the country appear to be pushing the GOP toward solidarity.

With the campaigns of former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Rep. Ron Paul merely afterthoughts at this point, all signs are pointing to former Gov. Mitt Romney sailing to the nomination.

A big push came from former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who endorsed Romney last week, ending speculation of a last-second bid.

But it was the support of S.C. Sen. Jim DeMint that drew attention in the Palmetto State.

Speaking Thursday on Capitol Hill, following a meeting with Romney, DeMint said the other candidates need to rethink their campaigns.

But was the thinly veiled suggestion to drop out of the race an endorsement for DeMint, who supported Romney in 2008 but pledged to stay out of the endorsement process in 2012?

Romney's camp appears to think so.

In a Friday morning email blast from Romney headquarters, the DeMint comments were put alongside those of Bush in suggesting that Romney was inevitable, and it was time for conservatives to get in line.