Mitt Romney Delivers New Hampshire GOP PAC Keynote Address

Delivering the keynote address yesterday at Fratello’s Restaurant in Manchester, New Hampshire, Mitt Romney rocked  the House Republican Victory PAC dinner. Prior to the main event, the three hour fundraiser featured a VIP reception and No Apology book signing. The Granite State GOP PAC is dedicated to electing a Republican majority to the New Hampshire House.

First Read adds:

The former Massachusetts governor, no surprise, leads the pack of 2012 hopefuls who have donated to the state party [NH] and state GOP candidates. Romney has donated already $30,000 to the state party, Williams said. Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty is the next biggest contributor of the group with $5,000.[...]

Romney has also given $7,500 to other local and state special election candidates in New Hampshire, and $1,000 to Chris Sununu, who is running for the state party’s executive council. Chris Sununu is the son of state party chairman John Sununu, a former governor.

(emphasis mine)

What seems to have caught the attention of a few observers was how Gov Romney arrived at and departed the event:

MyFOXBoston.com:

We all know how important a politician’s choice of car has become.

Deval Patrick’s Cadillac – not good. Scott Brown’s pickup truck – very good. And maybe it’s a coincidence, but when Mitt Romney arrived to a private fundraiser in Manchester on Thursday night, he wasn’t being driven around in his usual SUV, he was all alone in his very own pickup.
[…]

To be fair, the truck is not just a political prop. Judging by all the scratches, he uses it a lot, but it certainly fits the image he’s trying to shape for the next campaign.

I guess silly season starts early.

Gov Romney is simply a down-to-earth great guy; he’s known for a fervor for hard work, his generous nature, and a willingness to roll up his sleeves to lend a hand to those in need. His wife, Ann, has also told us about his penchant for helping around the house and for nitty-gritty outdoor work. He hasn’t got a lazy bone in his body. It looks like he’s got a truck that’s been put to good use and it can keep up with him!

UPDATE: NRO (The Corner)

Romney brushes aside the Scott Brown comparison. “I’m going out to my place in Lake Winnipesaukee,” he says. “I have got to pull a trailer for my wife over the weekend, so the truck pulls the trailer.” Eric Fehrnstrom, Romney’s spokesman, tells the AP that if Romney runs again, he’ll take an RV — the “Mitt Mobile” leftover from his 2008 presidential run — over the truck.