NH Rep Charlie Bass Backs Romney, Telegraph Editorial Board LIVE Broadcast Today

UPDATE:

Watch a live broadcast of Mitt Romney with The Telegraph editorial board Monday at 10:50 a.m. at www.nashuatelegraph.com. The question and answer session will be filmed by students in the Nashua School District’s TV production program. Readers can pose questions as well as read a live transcript of the interview.

Mitt Romney shakes hands with Rep Charlie Bass (R- NH) as he arrives for a dinner sponsored by Americans for Prosperity, April 29, 2011. Bass is endorsing Romney today. (Photo AP/Jim Cole)

It’s a strong way to begin Thanksgiving week… with a one-two punch for Romney from The Granite State.

After a rousing rally yesterday in Nashua, New Hampshire, where U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte formally endorsed Mitt Romney, the former MA Governor is receiving another endorsement – from one of New Hampshire’s two Republican congressmen, Charlie Bass:

Congressman Charlie Bass will endorse the GOP presidential candidacy of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney on Monday, The Telegraph has confirmed.

Bass will make it official when Romney tours the BAE Systems plant on Spit Brook Road in Nashua and then addresses employees. Romney will also answer questions from The Telegraph editorial board later Monday.

The announcement marks the second key endorsement in as many days for Romney, who on Sunday secured the endorsement of U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte at a Nashua City Hall rally.

Romney and Ayotte took turns bashing President Barack Obama’s record on jobs, the economy and military spending on the City Hall steps after Ayotte announced her endorsement.

“Mitt Romney has proven through his experience as a successful businessman, effective governor, and by his excellent presidential debate performances that he is best prepared to lead our country and ensure Barack Obama is a one-term president,” Ayotte said.

Each spoke for roughly 10 minutes.

“This president doesn’t know how to create jobs, he doesn’t know how to lead,” Romney said to frequent cheers.

In advance of the Monday event with Romney, Bass said the Republican front-runner is the man for the job.

“Voters in New Hampshire and across our country are looking for a candidate that understands what our economy needs to recover and grow, that has the experience of creating jobs, and has the leadership qualities needed to bring the citizens of our nation back together in these challenging times,” Bass said in a statement.

“I firmly believe that Mitt Romney is the candidate that will renew our country’s faith in the American dream.”

Romney said he and Bass share a commitment to keeping federal taxes and spending low as one of the ways to lead to a more vibrant, national economy.

“Congressman Bass and his family have served New Hampshire with honor and distinction for generations,” Romney said.

“He has stood up for the traditional New Hampshire principles of limited taxation and smaller government. In addition, congressman Bass understands that the current over-taxation and over-spending in Washington will only continue to hurt job creators. With his support, I hope to reverse the failed Obama fiscal policies that have hampered job creation and put a halt to economic growth.”

(emphasis added )

Bass will serve as Co-Chair of Romney’s NH Steering Committee and will be a member of his National Steering Committee.

Background On Congressman Bass:

Charlie Bass Was Elected To Represent New Hampshire’s Second Congressional District In 2010. He previously represented the district from 1995 to 2007. Bass previously served in the New Hampshire Legislature as a State Senator and State Representative. Bass, the son of a former New Hampshire congressman and the grandson of a former governor, lives in Peterborough with his wife Lisa and their two children, Lucy and Jonathan.

Meanwhile, here’s a bit of weekend political stuff:

The Super Committee is turning out to be a super failure and MSNBC’s Chris Matthews has lost his ‘thrill’ for Obama. George Will scoffed at New Gingrich, while Jon Huntsman appeared on Saturday Night Live to paste a smiley face on his barely-there poll numbers and NH fixation. Earlier in the opening segment of SNL, Romney’s scandal-less background was spoofed:

Cast member Jason Sudeikis, sporting Romney’s slicked-back hair and a business suit, told the audience that he wanted to show his edgier side because rivals such as Perry were “hogging all the headlines with sex scandals and whoopsie-daisies.”

The skit portrayed a raw and unleashed Romney.

Mitt’s humor shone through yesterday when he got the last word while serving free soup and sandwiches to supporters at Jackie’s Diner (Nashua, NH). Someone asked him what his favorite Guns ‘n Roses song was. The Gov replied, “Um, I don’t think I can give you a good one. All I can give you is some good food here today. But today, this is me just raw and unleashed.”

► Jayde Wyatt