Conservative movement leader Morton Blackwell, founder and head of the Leadership Institute and chairman of the weekly “Weyrich lunches” of conservative activists, AND longtime Republican National Committeeman from Virginia, had the final remarks at tonight’s “Weyrich Awards Dinner” raising money for the Coalition for America, which sponsors the Weyrick lunches. He quite clearly refrained from any direct endorsement for president — but he DID take the time to say specifically nice things about only one of the candidates. Remarking on Rick Santorum’s big wins on Tuesday, he noted (without specifying examples in the cases of the other three candidates) that all four GOP candidates offer “advantages” unique to each. Santorum’s advantage, he said, is that “the longer and better you know him, the more you like and trust him.”

Very kind words from Blackwell… and very astute, as usual.