Dan Quayle says Mitt Romney has four essential qualities of a president

By Glen Johnson

December 6, 2011

1 minute to read

Former Vice President Dan Quayle today endorsed Mitt Romney, saying the Massachusetts Republican has the four qualities he seeks when weighing a potential president: leadership, character, conservative philosophy, and electability.

In an op-ed piece for The Arizona Republic, the biggest paper in the former Indianan’s adopted homestate, Quayle writes: “Because of President Obama’s failed leadership, Washington has become dysfunctional. We need a leader from outside of the Washington establishment. We need a president with a proven track record of innovative thinking and a proven ability to make tough decisions and implement them.’’

After ticking off his list of characteristics for deciding whom to endorse, Quayle says: “There is only one candidate in the field that meets all of these criteria. It is Mitt Romney.’’

Last week, Romney visited Quayle’s one-time boss, former President George H.W. Bush, during a stop in Houston. Today, Romney is visiting Arizona, where Quayle’s son Ben is a member of Congress.

Romney’s 2008 campaign opponent, Arizona Senator John McCain, has said he will not be endorsing a candidate during the primary campaign. The state’s governor, Jan Brewer, also has not endorsed a Republican primary candidate.