Presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich has picked up another key endorsement with the backing of Carlos Perez, a Miami broadcaster and influential voice in Cuban-American circles.
Perez, who once was President Ronald Reagan’s point man in Miami, formally endorsed the former House speaker on Saturday.
“Newt is my candidate of choice because, number one, our conservative principles. He’s able to explain it in such an easy way that everybody understands what the conservative principles are,” Perez tells Newsmax.
Perez made his announcement on his popular Radio Mambi weekend talk radio show. He said response from listeners was overwhelmingly positive.
“This is a man with great ideas . . . who could become the right president at the right time for the United States of America,” Perez said.
Perez said he views Gingrich as a strong leader who can deal with the Castro regime and other foreign policy matters facing the U.S. He suggested that Mitt Romney comes across as “weak.”
Another area where Perez believes Gingrich has set himself apart from the rest of the Republican presidential pack is his immigration policy.
Late last fall, the former House speaker called for “humane” treatment of immigrants who came to the United States legally but had since lost their legal status.
“Here in Florida, Newt Gingrich has a touch with immigration that is very important,” he said.
Perez cites other reasons for backing Gingrich.
Gingrich’s ability to work with the opposition is badly needed in Washington now, Perez said, cited Newt’s four consecutive balanced budgets and the comprehensive welfare passed while President Bill Clinton was in the Oval Office as examples.
Asked about Mitt Romney, Perez said he would become an activist for the former Massachusetts governor if he eventually wins the nomination. But Perez said Romney is not as well prepared as Gingrich to take on President Obama.
“This man is a good man, a decent man, a successful man. But I don’t think he has the ability to reach the people and explain the conservative principals that are so needed in our nation. He lacks that ability,” Perez said.
In contrast, Perez said Gingrich has not only the right platform but also the ability to communicate his ideas to the nation.
“I see a connection between the ability of President Reagan and his ability to explain what the conservative principals are and Newt Gingrich’s. It’s amazing,” Perez said.
In addition to his radio show, Perez also hosts an influential television show aimed at the Hispanic community on Telemiami, a cable television station broadcasting from Miami, Florida.
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