Romney Marathon: Endorsements & New Initiative, Holds Tele-Townhall, Stumps for Emmer, Meeks, Walker, Portman, Pennsylvania GOP – Goes to MN, WI, OH, D.C.

Mitt Romney just completed another bustling week of midterm campaigning. What did he accomplish? Take a look:

Governor Romney’s schedule for October 18-22, 2010

Monday, Oct 18, 2010:
» Announces Minnesota endorsements

» Campaigns in Minnesota with Tom Emmer and Annette Meeks

As they say in the news business, Mitt Romney was a good get for Tom Emmer.

Not only did the former governor of Massachusetts and GOP presidential contender attract some 200 donors at a $500-a-plate fundraising dinner for Emmer Monday, he later worked up a crowd at a rally at the Ramada Hotel in Bloomington.

With just two weeks before the election, Emmer needs to rouse every base within the Republican base, from the fiscal conservatives to the Tea Party discontents to the patriots.

Romney, who sounds and looks like a corporate CEO, rolled up his sleeves and delivered a brief speech to a crowd of about 500 at the rally. He didn’t focus on fiscal conservatism as anticipated, but on the new social hot buttons: the Constitution, patriotism and American exceptionalism.

“It’s not just about failed policies in Washington,” Romney said. “Liberals are changing the very face of America. We are a nation of pioneers and liberals are trying to smother that spirit.

“America needs no apologies to the world,” he said. “The best ally peace has ever known is the United States of America.”

The crowd gave him love as he doffed his jacket and worked the line of attendees for pictures.

Minnesota’s GOP candidate for governor was impressed as well.

“Mitt Romney, wow — he is really a standard bearer for American exceptionalism,” Emmer said in an interview after the rally. “Yes, he just touched on the fiscal policy. But people in Minnesota that I meet, we know what the problems are. When you remind people it’s about the American spirit, you heard them here tonight — they don’t want leaders who apologize for America.”

(my emphasis)

» Announces endorsements in Wisconsin

» Campaigns with Scott Walker in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Two of the biggest names in Republican politics – possible 2012 presidential contender Mitt Romney and rising GOP star Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal – came to Wisconsin on Monday to raise money and campaign for gubernatorial candidate Scott Walker.

Romney and Jindal made the latest in a series of visits to Wisconsin by high-wattage political figures – from President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and first lady Michelle Obama to former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.
[...]

In Milwaukee, Walker, the Milwaukee County executive, and Romney, a former Massachusetts governor, spoke to more than 200 people at a $250-a-plate fund-raiser at the Italian Community Center. In Madison, Walker and Jindal hosted about 300 people at a $75 per-person reception at the Sheraton Madison Hotel.

Attendees could meet with the hosts in more intimate settings for $5,000 per couple. The campaign declined to say how much the two events raised.

Romney and Jindal briefly took questions from reporters at both stops, but the events themselves were closed to the news media.
[...]

Afterward at a news conference, Romney said his trip to Milwaukee had been planned some time ago.

“Scott’s just opened up such a big lead – he’s doing better,” Romney said.

As if to underscore that point, a new poll Monday showed Walker with a 9 point lead over Democrat and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett. Walker had 50% and Barrett had 41% in the poll of 402 registered likely voters by Wisconsin Public Radio and St. Norbert College in De Pere. The poll was conducted Oct. 12-15 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percentage points.

“But you can’t become too complacent,” Romney said. “Things can happen in the waning weeks.  . . .  So it’s important for us to touch the bases of those races where myself and people like me can hopefully make a difference.”

Jindal said voters were drawn to Walker because of his pledge to cut the size of government. “He understands we can’t tax, borrow and spend our way back to prosperity,” Jindal said of Walker.

For more on the Tom Emmer fundraiser, click here. More on the Minnesota and Wisconsin events can be found here.

Wednesday, Oct 20, 2010:
» Campaigns for Rob Portman in Ohio

DAYTON — Republican U.S. Senate candidate Rob Portman brought potential 2012 presidential contender Mitt Romney along with him Wednesday during a campaign stop at the Dayton Convention Center.

Ret. Air Force General Lester L. Lyles, left, shares a laugh with Romney & Rob Portman at InfoTech 2010 in Dayton, OH. 10/20/10 - A/P Photo Skip Peterson

Portman and Romney shook hands and posed with corporate executives and others for photographs as they worked the red, white and blue-decked aisles where defense contracting companies had technology displays at the InfoTech convention and trade show. The Dayton event annually brings Air Force and business leaders together for discussions of military hardware and software needs.

Romney, the former Massachusetts governor and 2008 presidential contender, accompanied Portman to a private fundraising lunch in the Dayton area before appearing at the InfoTech convention, said Jessica Towhey, a Portman campaign spokeswoman. Towhey declined to say how much money the event raised.

Romney, considered a likely front-runner for the Republicans’ 2012 presidential nomination, declined to say when he will formally announce that he is running again for the White House.

“That’s not a decision I’ll make for some time. I don’t know when that will come, but certainly after November,” Romney said. “I’m here to support Rob Portman in his race for the Senate, and also (governor candidate) John Kasich and other Republicans across the state, and I’m doing my best to help raise money and bring a little awareness of the strong candidates we’ve got.”
[...]

Thursday, October 21, 2010
» Holds luncheon in Washington, D.C.

Mitt Romney and two of his senior aides are holding a small lunch in Washington today to brief GOP lobbyists and potential 2012 supporters on what the former governor and his PAC have done for candidates this cycle.

“Spencer Zwick, Finance Director and Matt Rhoades, Executive Director will join the Governor at lunch to give an update on the political activities of the Free and Strong America PAC,” wrote Drew Maloney, one of Romney’s top K Street backers, in an e-mail sent by another lobbyist to POLITICO. “The Governor has traveled across the country supporting many state and federal candidates. The PAC has given more than $800,000 to federal candidates and raised millions for many of the competitive races.”

The gathering, to take place at a downtown restaurant, will be held in a room that only seats about 20-25 people, Maloney wrote. It’s not a fundraiser.
[...]

(my emphasis)

Friday, Oct 22, 2010
» Announces second phase of Take America Back: 10 for ’10 Initiative
» Holds Tele-Townhall for Pennsylvania GOP candidates

Could Romney pack any more into his schedule? Just 10 days until the BIG day… The Gov continues to GO!