Kyle Leighton February 16, 2012, 10:20 AM

What the rock gods giveth the rock gods taketh away.

News broke Wednesday that Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine had endorsed Rick Santorum in the Republican presidential race. In an interview with Music Radar, Mustaine explained his thinking on the matter, and for context, here’s the full quote for context as reported by the website:

Earlier in the election, I was completely oblivious as to who Rick Santorum was, but when the dude went home to be with his daughter when she was sick, that was very commendable. Also, just watching how he hasn’t gotten into doing these horrible, horrible attack ads like Mitt Romney’s done against Newt Gingrich, and then the volume at which Newt has gone back at Romney… You know, I think Santorum has some presidential qualities, and I’m hoping that if it does come down to it, we’ll see a Republican in the White House… and that it’s Rick Santorum.

But the union is not official…not yet anyway. Mustaine sent out a press release later on Wednesday after his thoughts on the campaign broke, and the venerable metal guitarist backed away from his statement. From Billboard:

Contrary to how some people have interpreted my words, I have not endorsed any presidential candidate,” the rocker said in a release after earlier reports had him backing Republican Rick Santorum on Wednesday. “What I did say was that I hope to see a Republican in the White House. I’ve seen good qualities in all the candidates but by no means have made my choice yet. I respect the fact that Santorum took time off from his campaign to be with his sick daughter, but I never used the word ‘endorse.’

In fact, he did not say that he was endorsing Rick Santorum. He simply said that he hoped a Republican would win the White House, and that it would be Rick Santorum.

Based on these facts, TPM is calling the Mustaine Primary for Santorum, ahead of the official results.

2012, 2012 Presidential Primaries, Rick Santorum