Insider Republican senator backs Mitt Romney

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney announced on Monday that Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO) will lead his campaign's efforts to secure the support of Republican members of Congress.

During the 2000 election, then-Congressman Blunt played a similar role for George W. Bush's campaign.

“It is an honor to have Roy’s support. He has always been a champion of taxpayers and small business owners, and I know that he will be an effective liaison in sharing my vision for America with his colleagues in both the House and the Senate,” Romney said in a statement. “I look forward to working with Roy as I bring my plan for job creation to Missouri and the rest of the country.”

In his own statement, Blunt painted Romney as the jobs candidate.

“Our nation faces historic challenges today, and under President Obama’s policies, we’ve witnessed high unemployment, skyrocketing debt, out-of-control spending, and burdensome regulations that have stifled job creation,” Blunt said. “Through his experience in the private sector and as governor, I believe Mitt has the right background to help create more economic certainty and spur job growth in Missouri and nationwide, and that’s why I’m proud to lead his Congressional Team.”

The Los Angeles Times called Blunt's endorsement "the latest move by the GOP establishment to close ranks for 2012."

A longstanding conservative as well as an establishment figure, Blunt could help polish Romney’s image among both conservatives and Washington insiders.

Recent polls have shown Texas Governor Rick Perry leading the pack of Republican contenders for the nomination, but, according to the Times, polls also show that Romney may have the better shot of beating President Barack Obama in the general election.

Prior to his election to the Senate in 2010, Blunt served in the House of Representatives from 1996 to 2008, where he served as both House Majority Whip and Republican Whip.