The Romney camp announced the addition of James Bopp, Jr as Special Advisor on Life Issues. From Gov Romney’s office:

“For almost three decades, Jim has been at the center of the fight to protect the sanctity of human life. Representing numerous national and state pro-life and pro-family organizations, he has helped defend the rights of those seeking to promote life,” said Governor Romney. “Jim will be a powerful spokesman for my vision of a greater tomorrow. I look forward to his counsel derived from many years of service and to working with him as we move forward.”

Mr Bopp wrote an impressive article about the best choice for social conservatives and spelled out for us why this choice is Mitt.

Please click here to read the article

Mitt Romney is an innovator! He brings new, WINNING concepts to the table at every opportunity - in business and the Olympics and now elections!

I had the chance to participate in his ingenious concepts during the last election cycle. As the Chairman of the Republican Governor’s Association, Mitt Romney implemented the Volunteer Deployment Team. Folks volunteered from all over the country to go to five key states to campaign on behalf of the Republican gubernatorial candidate. We were flown to our destination with airfare, travel and per diem paid by the RGA. It was an awesome opportunity! I took one of my children with me and she was cared for by church members in the area I worked in. Even as a mother, Mitt gave me the chance to make a difference!

Here is a piece from Fox News about Mitt Romney’s latest innovation:

Wednesday, March 21, 2007
WASHINGTON —
Imagine getting a summer job with Mitt Romney’s 2008 presidential campaign and getting 10 percent of the money that comes in. Sound crazy? It may be, but it’s an offer now on the table for college students.

The Romney campaign is piloting the first-of-its-kind program around the country in which students are given a percentage commission of any funds they raise for the former Massachusetts governor in his bid for the White House.

Spokeswoman Carolyn Weyforth said nothing like this has ever been attempted. She sent out an e-mail to college students followed by a link to a sign-up page.

“Imagine getting a summer job with the campaign and getting 10% of the money that comes in! - Sounds CRAZY?! -… we bring you innovation #323 … Students for Mitt. It goes something like this: If you are currently a student and want to earn from cash … spend your summer touting Mitt Romney instead of selling Pesticide. For everything to raise over $1000 you will get 10% back! So if you raise $50,000 you get $5000 back. If you raise $100,000 you get $10,000 back! That’s serious money for a college student and for a great cause! Legal has vetted this,” the e-mail reads.

The students are then given the Web site address to sign up.

Romney has already demonstrated success in fundraising. On the day he announced he was forming an exploratory committee in January, he launched a marathon fundraising effort that raised $6.5 million in 24 hours.

Last week, Romney said he’s been very pleased with the fundraising pace since then. His campaign raised about $1.4 million over the Internet in its first month, and he has had about 20 fundraising events scheduled in the month of March.

Romney is running a distant third in the GOP nominating race, but keeping his name on people’s lips. That puts him in the top tier with candidates John McCain and Rudy Giuliani.

First quarter fundraising figures for all the presidential candidates are due on March 31.

If you know a student who might be interested in this awesome opportunity, My Man Mitt has provided easy access information on how to get started:

Students For Mitt

In the New York Post column, Page Six, Richard Johnson talks about the absolute clout Mitt displays in Florida:

Advertising mogul Jordan Zimmerman - the owner of the Florida Panthers hockey team who recently had President Bush to dinner at his waterfront mansion in Boca Raton and raised a whopping $1.2 million for the GOP - has been courted by several Republican contenders. But he seems to have settled on Romney.

According to the piece, the two were at a dinner together Monday Night at Maxwell’s Chophous in Boca where they were overheard strategizing about the presidential race.

Mitt has friends in high places for a reason. He is a true leader! Business leaders and our elected officials are getting behind him in record numbers now!

Hatch endorses Romney for White House
By Robert Gehrke  |  Salt Lake Tribune

Posted: 3/19/07- WASHINGTON - Sen. Orrin Hatch is backing Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney’s presidential candidacy, the Romney campaign announced Monday.
Hatch is the fourth senator to back the Romney campaign, following Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah; Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho; and Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C. Romney is seeking the Republican nomination.
Hatch mounted a short-lived presidential bid in 2000, dropping out after the Iowa caucus. Hatch has praised Romney in the past and attended a fundraiser for him in Utah last month, but had not formally endorsed the former governor, a fellow Mormon.
“Governor Romney has the leadership qualities we need to bring real change to Washington,” said Hatch, now in his sixth term in the Senate.
“People in Utah remember well his turning around the 2002 Winter Olympics. His record as governor is equally remarkable. At a time of unprecedented challenges, we need to elect an innovative problem solver like Governor Romney,” Hatch said.
Romney said he was honored to have Hatch join the campaign, calling him a “powerful and effective conservative voice in the Senate.
“Senator Hatch is a leading authority on judicial matters and has worked to cut down the size of government and let hard-working Americans keep more of what they earn.”

I can’t believe I am saying this, but in the words of Tim Russert, “Florida, Florida, Flordia”! As nauseating as Mr Russert can be, what he said was and still is absolutely true. Florida is a key state in the world of Presidential politics. Endorsements in the Sunshine State are critical and none more than their Governor, Jeb Bush. Many pundits have speculated that Jeb Bush might persue a Presidential run or even run as a Vice Presidential candidate. I have heard many Mitt supporters say they would like to see Jeb as his VP (I am not one of those btw, I love Pres Bush, but I think the Bush’s should take a short break from Presidential politics).

So it is with great hope that I read the news of Gov Bush’s leanings to Mitt Romney. Here is the article:

Jeb Bush Steers Advisers Toward Romney
By BRENDAN FARRINGTON
The Associated Press   |   Friday, February 16, 2007

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Jeb Bush, who hasn’t publicly picked a favorite in the Republican presidential race, privately is talking up the candidacy of Mitt Romney and steering some of his closest advisers to the campaign.

The former Florida governor has said repeatedly he won’t be a candidate in 2008 despite encouragement from his father, the former president, and his brother, the current one. But Jeb Bush’s support, even tacit, would be critical in the state that decided the 2000 presidential election.

“Governor Bush said, ‘Before you commit, I want you to meet Mitt Romney. He is the kind of guy you will like no matter what,’” said former Lt. Gov. Toni Jennings. “The governor was very candid about the fact that he really liked this guy.”

Read the entire article here

I was extremely impressed with the interview given by Mitt to George Stephanopoulos on ABC’s This Week. Mitt was hit with a tough line of questioning and came through shining! Here are some highlights:

Stephanopoulos: Okay, Mitt Romney, management consultant. Give us the PowerPoint presentation for your candidacy.

Mitt Romney: Well, it won’t be in PowerPoint. It’s instead going to come from the heart, because this is not a business deal. This is not the next, if you will, notch in my belt of career progression.

My life was in the private sector. My life is with Ann, raising our kids.

My race for the presidency has everything to do with our kids and our grandkids, making sure that America is more prosperous and more safe for my kids and grandkids and for everyone else’s kids and grandkids, because I’m concerned that we face unprecedented challenges..

Ummmm - Loved it!! I am so pleased that someone is talking about this amazing decision to run for President. Mitt is absolutely sincere in his desire for a better country and world for tomorrow - for our families.

Stephanopoulos: How about funding faith-based institutions?

Mitt Romney: Well, we don’t fund faith-based institutions, other than when they’re performing a non-faith role.

So right now we have faith-based initiatives in our state. Ann happens to lead that effort. And some of the faith-based institutions, particularly in the inner city, are doing a lot better job helping the poor, helping kids, helping families get on their feet than some government social service agencies.

So helping them in their secular role is, of course, fine.

Helping them in a religious role…

Stephanopoulos: How do you draw the line in that?

Mitt Romney: … that would be unacceptable.

Stephanopoulos: You’ve worked with it. How do you draw the line?

Ann Romney: Well, we draw the line on those that are just trying to make a difference in a child’s life. I work with inner city at-risk youth and we find that a lot of the black churches in the inner city have been very, very helpful in being there on the ground, helping these kids, really making a difference in their lives.

It’s not even a church issue at all when it comes down to what they’re really doing. They’re on the ground, really there, and I’m very supportive of that, of trying to find anyone that’s helping, give them a hand, as well.

And it’s not a proselytizing thing that’s happening, the way I see it, with the inner city, the faith-based initiatives that I’ve been working with. They’re there to help. They’re there to make a difference in children’s lives.

And I feel as though we need to give them a hand, as well.

NICELY done Romneys! I love that Ann stepped in here and showed her supportive and leadership qualities! Ann Romney would make a lovely, respectable first lady.

Stephanopoulos: Let me talk about your political journey. You were an Independent, registered Independent in the 1980s.

You voted for Paul Tsongas, a Democrat, in the 1992 primaries. Now you describe yourself as a Reagan…

Mitt Romney: Kind of a mischaracterization. In Massachusetts, if you register as an Independent, you can vote in either the Republican or Democratic primary.

When there was no real contest in the Republican primary, I’d vote in the Democrat primary, vote for the person who I thought would be the weakest opponent for Republican.

In the general election…

Stephanopoulos: Supporting President Bush, is that what you’re saying?

Mitt Romney: Look, I’ve taken every occasion to vote against Ted Kennedy, he’s a good friend, but Ted Kennedy, Tip O’Neill, they’re my Congressman and Senator.

I go in their primary, just like a lot of other folks, and voted against the person who I thought was the strongest Democrat.

Now, that happens in America today, but let me tell you, in the general election, I don’t recall ever once voting for anyone other than a Republican.

I totally have Mitt’s back on this one. My county here in Central North Carolina has leaned Democratic for nearly 50 years. My area is so left (like Massachusetts) that all of our county government is made up of Democrats. If I want to effect change, I have to change my affiliation at primary time. It’s quite clear to me and makes perfect sense. As much as I dreaded the idea, it is a politically strategic move. More great thinking, Mitt!

The interview is packed with this great stuff! Click on “the link in pink” for the entire transcript.

Interview with Mitt and Ann Romney on “This Week”.

By KATE SNOW

Feb. 14, 2007 — - Ann Romney is a mother of five, grandmother to ten and the wife of Republican presidential contender and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

Ann Romney was also diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1998, but she insists that she’s “totally onboard” with her husband’s bid for the White House.

The aspiring first lady sat down with ABC News’ Kate Snow, just a day after her husband entered the race. What follows are extended excerpts of their conversation.

Click Here to read interview transcript

Interview Video Part 1

Interview Video Part 2

Yesterday there was so much activity surrounding Mitt Romney’s announcement! Many of us have been waiting for some time to hear him announce his candidacy for President. You can watch his entire speech here

MittTV candidacy speech

His speech filled me with hope as he mentioned that DOING is the key! Mitt brings competency and action to the table. Mitt talked about his parents and how he learned by example to be a hard worker, volunteer and capable business leader.

One of my favorites things Mitt talked about was that he is not of Washington and doesn’t owe any political favors to anyone! He is a proven innovator and has transformed corporations, government an in international organization.

Run Mitt, Run!!! I am behind you 100 percent!!!

Former Gov. Mitt Romney launched his presidential campaign far from Massachusetts, near his hometown of Detroit, where he emphasized his managerial skills.
BY STEVEN THOMMA  |  Miami Herald   Feb 13, 2007

DEARBORN, Mich. - Mitt Romney ran away from home Tuesday to seek a new one — the White House.

The former one-term governor of Massachusetts decided not to kick off his campaign for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination in that state, which conjures images of liberal Democrats such as Sens. Ted Kennedy and John Kerry.

Instead, he flew to his childhood home of Michigan, hoping to wrap himself in the mantle of conservative Midwestern values.

His venue was the Henry Ford Museum, whose icons of industrial innovation he used as symbols of his private-sector background, which he said gave him can-do management skills rarely found in government and absent in his political rivals.

Romney, 59, hopes that twin-theme approach will set him apart from a long line of Massachusetts liberals — and from such likely Republican rivals as Sen. John McCain of Arizona and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who have longer résumés in public office.

”I do not believe Washington can be transformed from within by lifelong politicians,” Romney said in Dearborn. “There have been too many deals, too many favors, too many entanglements and too little real-world experience managing, guiding and leading.”

Romney underscored his record as a man who gets things done — successful venture capitalist, the man who rescued the scandal-plagued and debt-ridden 2002 Winter Olympics — as well as a governor who restored his state’s fiscal health and expanded healthcare.

”I do not believe Washington can be transformed by someone . . . who has never run a corner store,” he told several hundred supporters.

Romney said he staged his announcement in the Ford Museum to underscore the country’s history of innovation, particularly in the auto industry.

”If ever there were a time when innovation and transformation were needed in government, it is now,” he said.

Romney looks to state 2008 primary

His PAC contributed $143,500 in Alabama
Thursday, December 07, 2006

TOM GORDON and MARY ORNDORFF
News staff writers

Alabama’s February 2008 presidential primary already has drawn attention from likely candidates. Massachusetts Republican Gov. Mitt Romney has been paying the most attention, if campaign contributions he has made in the state are any indication.

Through his Commonwealth PAC, Romney made $143,500 in campaign contributions to Republican candidates and party organizations during the 2006 campaign year. Romney’s activity eclipsed that of another likely contender, Sen. John McCain, whose PAC doled out $117,750 to Alabama candidates and party committees in 2006, plus another $4,700 in in-kind contributions.

Romney also is scheduled to deliver the keynote speech during the Feb. 9 dinner at the state Republican Executive Committee’s winter meeting in Montgomery. His only stop in the state this year was in Tuscaloosa, when he appeared at a dinner honoring U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby.

“You’re going to see a lot of him in Alabama,” said Montgomery lobbyist Claire Austin, who said she is advising Romney’s Commonwealth PAC team on the state’s political landscape. “He’s like a rock star. He’s got it going. He’s articulate, he’s very eloquent and he’s very believable.”