Further proof of the obsession Obama and his heart throbs at the Democrat National Committee have for Mitt Romney – they continue to aggressively target him. Viewing him as the likely GOP nominee, they released a piece-of-work ad yesterday, which includes the ‘usual’ – misleading use of Romney’s past words, taking quotes out of context (their usual modus operandi), etc. They also put the stink on the internet in the form of a new anti-Romney website and held misleading press conference calls.

While campaigning in Florida today, Romney was asked about the DNC’s latest actions. He replied that he took it as proof that he’s doing well. Romney also added, “Bring it on!”

Romney’s Press office released a long list of legislators who issued statements on the Democratic National Committee’s misleading advertisement and press conference calls:

TIM PAWLENTY: OBAMA DOES NOT WANT TO DEFEND THREE YEARS OF FAILURE

“President Obama’s policies have been utter failures for the middle class: he has failed to create jobs and has burdened future generations with massive amounts of debt. This Administration does not want to campaign against Mitt Romney and be forced to defend three years of failure. Instead of focusing on the middle class and job creation, President Obama and Democrats are focused on campaigning and trying to tear down Mitt Romney.”

OH LEGISLATORS HOTTINGER, ROSENBERGER AND WAGONER: PRESIDENT OBAMA NOT FOCUSED ON JOB CREATION

“President Obama’s policies have failed to bring jobs back to Ohio and have devastated the middle class. The last thing that President Obama and his Democratic allies want to do is campaign against Mitt Romney and be responsible for three years of job losses and rising debt. Instead of focusing on revitalizing our economy, President Obama and Democrats only want to focus on tearing down Mitt Romney.”

WI SEN. TED KANAVAS: PRESIDENT OBAMA FOCUSED ON TEARING DOWN MITT ROMNEY, NOT CREATING JOBS

“President Obama’s policies have failed to create jobs in Wisconsin and have devastated the middle class. The last thing that President Obama and his campaign want to do is run against Mitt Romney and be held accountable for the economic failures of the last three years. So, instead of trying to create jobs for the middle class, President Obama and his campaign have focused on tearing down Mitt Romney.”

MA HOUSE MINORITY LEADER BRAD JONES: “WE NEED NEW LEADERSHIP IN THE WHITE HOUSE”

“President Obama’s policies have been failures that continue to wreak havoc on the middle class. Instead of creating jobs and helping the middle class, President Obama and his campaign continue to focus on tearing down Mitt Romney. After three years of failed policies, it is clear that we need new leadership in the White House.”

SEN. MEL MARTINEZ: ROMNEY WILL DEFEAT OBAMA ON ECONOMY

“It is unsurprising that President Obama and the Democratic Party machine are relentlessly attacking Mitt Romney. Having failed to turn around the economy, they have no choice but to run a negative campaign against the presidential candidate best equipped to bring them to account for three years of economic mismanagement that has left millions of Americans without work.”

NH SEN. JEB BRADLEY: OBAMA CAMPAIGN ATTEMPTING TO DISTRACT ATTENTION AWAY FROM THIS ADMINISTRATION’S DISMAL RECORD

“After three years in office, President Obama has failed to create jobs and turn around the economy. Instead, his policies continue to cripple the middle class and pile on staggering amounts of debt. As millions of Americans look for work, the Obama campaign and Democrats are attempting to distract attention away from this administration’s dismal record. The attack they have launched against Mitt Romney shows just how worried they are about facing him in the general election.”

FORMER IOWA GOP CHAIRMAN BRIAN KENNEDY: OBAMA TRYING TO DISTRACT VOTERS FROM FAILED ECONOMIC RECORD

“President Obama’s policies have failed the middle class. It is clear that this Administration would rather distract from its failed record and not talk about the economy. Instead of creating jobs and getting spending under control, President Obama and his Democratic allies have focused on attacking Mitt Romney.”

Continue reading after the fold…

Read more…

This morning, the Sunshine State will yield three noteworthy endorsements for Mitt Romney from Miami Cuban-American leaders: U.S. Reps Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Mario Diaz-Balart, and his brother, former congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart

Romney snags backing of Florida Latino lawmakers
By Philip Rucker
Nov 29, 2011

U.S. Rep Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL)

MIAMI – When Mitt Romney visits a guava paste and papaya chunks wholesaler here on Tuesday, he’ll pick up endorsements from a powerful trio of Cuban-American Republicans whose support eluded him four years ago but whose political networks could help him this go around in the critical Florida primary.

Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Mario Diaz-Balart, as well as his brother, former congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart, are scheduled to endorse Romney’s presidential campaign on Tuesday morning in Miami, according to a Romney campaign official. They are expected to join the former Massachusetts governor when he discusses his economic plan at Conchita Foods, a family-owned local business that was started in Cuba but moved to Florida a few years after Fidel Castro took control in 1959.

Ros-Lehtinen and the Diaz-Balart brothers are joining Romney’s campaign as foreign policy advisers and members of his Latin American Working Group. Romney is trying to solidify his support among the state’s GOP establishment, in particular leaders of South Florida’s Cuban-American community, in

Fmr Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL)

advance of the Jan. 31 primary. Romney has already won the endorsement of former senator Mel Martinez, another prominent Cuban-American politician, as well as a slew of current Florida office-holders.
[...]
In reporting on the new endorsements Monday night, The Miami Herald wrote that Romney had won “the ultimate Cuban-American endorsement trifecta.” The newspaper quoted a supporter of Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s, Miami-Dade School Board member Carlos Curbelo, as calling the news “a major boost” for Romney because in the Miami area, “their support is crucial.”

(emphasis added) Full story here.

Statement from Romney:

“I am proud to be working with Ileana, Mario, and Lincoln,” said Mitt Romney. “They’re conservative leaders who will help me articulate my vision to make America more prosperous at home and respected throughout the world.”

Announcing her support, Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen said, “The policies of the past three years have put America’s standing in the world at risk. It is time we had a president who understands that our country must lead. Mitt Romney believes that America is an exceptional nation and has a strategy to restore our country’s greatness. The Romney plan for economic growth will create jobs and opportunities for all, especially for South Floridians, who are passionate in their pursuit of the American dream.”

U.S. Rep Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL)

“The world is a more secure place when America is leading boldly,” said Congressman Diaz-Balart. “We need a president who won’t apologize for America, but will work to secure free markets, economic opportunity, and human rights for all people around the world. Mitt Romney is that leader who will make America stronger and more respected in the world.”

“Mitt Romney is a leader who can rebuild our national defense,” said former Congressman Diaz-Balart. “Our country faces grave threats throughout the world. We need a leader who will stand up for American interests and work tirelessly for freedom and prosperity everywhere. I know Mitt Romney is ready to face these challenges and I proudly support him.”

(emphasis added )

Background:

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen Was Elected To The U.S. Congress In 1989. She represents Florida’s 18th district and is currently the Chairman of the House Foreign Relations Committee. Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen is the most senior Republican woman in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Mario Diaz-Balart Represents Florida’s 21st District in the U.S. Congress. Congressman Diaz-Balart was one of the founding members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Before being elected to the U.S. House, he served in both the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate. He was elected in 2002.

Lincoln Diaz-Balart Represented Florida’s 21st District In The U.S. Congress From 1993 Until 2011. During his time in Congress, he was the Vice-Chairman of the House Rules Committee. Diaz-Balart is currently the Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute.

To view Romney’s schedule in Florida today, click below the fold.

Read more…

Yesterday, Tim Pawlenty, National Co-Chair for the Romney campaign, put the NH Union Leader’s endorsement of Newt Gingrich in perspective…

Jonathan Martin (Politico):

Tim Pawlenty, doing surrogacy duties today for Mitt Romney, dismissed the Union Leader’s support of Newt Gingrich, framing it as just one of many New Hampshire endorsements to be had by a Republican candidate.

In a conference call with reporters, Pawlenty was clearly prepared for the question. He rattled off the list of high-profile Granite State Republicans who back Romney — former Gov. John Sununu, former Sen. Judd Gregg, Sen. Kelly Ayotte — to make his case.

“Every candidate is going to get their fair share of endorsements,” Pawlenty said, adding that Romney has “more than his fair share.”

Even as he implicitly downplayed the Union Leader’s role in the Granite State’s GOP primary process, the Minnesotan said nothing directly about the paper or Gingrich.

(emphasis added )

We’ll be hearing more from Sununu, Gregg, and Ayotte.

UPDATE – To view Romney’s interview with the NH Union Leader Editorial Board, click here.

Oct 21, 2011 – NH Union Leader’s publisher, Joseph McQuaid offers his impressions of Romney’s interview with the UL’s editorial board (Greta Brawner, host):

► Jayde Wyatt

UPDATE: MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell does his best to be an arm for the DNC and President Obama re-election campaign, but Gov. Pawlenty does a fantastic job of bringing a little truth and common sense to one of the darkest and most ignorant corners of cable news.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

A former 18 year Iowa state legislator (who also served as IA House Speaker), Christopher Rants, has endorsed Mitt Romney. He supported Romney four years ago, and after taking a good, hard look at the GOP field this time, decided Romney is still THE MAN.

Rants spoke highly of Romney yesterday in an opinion column in the Sioux City Journal:

THE REGULARS: Mitt Romney represents GOP’s best choice to face Obama
by Christopher Rants
November 27, 2011

[...]
If you are looking for a quick guide on who to support in the Iowa caucus, that’s all you really need to know. I believe that Mitt Romney is the best candidate running, and would be the best president.

I’ve got 600 words to make my case, but let me use just one for starters: “competence.”

I’ve watched the series of GOP debates asking myself: Is this really the best my party has to offer? The gaffes. The lack of intellectual curiosity. The embarrassing revelations. For Republicans to slough off or excuse any of it is a profound disservice to our party. We wouldn’t cut Democrats any slack for the same transgressions.

Through it all Romney is the candidate to emerge unscathed. That requires both discipline and competence. While Republicans say they don’t think about electability, but prefer ideological perfection, the ability to effectively run a national campaign against the Obama team does matter. There is no room for error.

Americans are looking for a president who will jump start the economy. In that regard, Mitt Romney is the only logical choice. No other candidate can compare to his business background. Sorry, not even Herman Cain. Romney’s career in the private sector taught him the skills he needed to rescue the 2002 Olympics. His ability to turn around a large organization, and do it under public scrutiny, is good practice for the White House.

Catch phrases like “999″ or simplistic “cut the red tape” slogans are not enough to put our economy back on track and to prepare our workforce and employers for global competition with Asia and India. …

Mitt’s 59-point economic plan may not be a quotable sound bite, but only Romney has demonstrated that he is competent to the task.

Four years ago I asked every Republican candidate how we could compete for jobs with India and China. Most looked at me blankly and then started talking about Iraq and terrorism. Only Mitt Romney understood the question – and better yet, talked for 20 minutes about his answer. For fear of embarrassment, I’d be afraid to ask this year’s field.

Knowing that social conservative groups in Iowa, including influential evangelical group The Family Leader, run by Bob Vander Plaats, met secretly and plan to meet again to join forces to support a candidate (Romney wasn’t even considered – what does that tell you?) and are leaning toward bulging-baggage Newt Gingrich (whose record and values set off conservative security systems!), made me especially enjoy Rant’s conclusion:

Romney’s squeaky clean image may make for late-night television fodder, but the fact remains that Mitt is a deeply moral man. There will be no tales of behavior unbecoming a president to use against him. … I know that Romney shares my values. Mike Huckabee, long viewed as the leader of the anti-Mitt crowd, recently said of those who harbor suspicions, “Mitt Romney may not be their first choice, but Mitt Romney every day of the week and twice on Sunday is going to be a much more effective president for issues that they care about than Barack Obama.”

… It is imperative we nominate someone we trust to respond to the unknown challenges in a thoughtful, disciplined, and competent way. Who has the judgment, character and, frankly, the smarts to respond to a crisis? I trust Mitt Romney.

(emphasis added ) Check out Rant’s facebook page here, website here.

I’m struck by the hypocrisy of evangelicals who may be flocking toward Newt Gingrich:

“Under normal circumstances, Gingrich would have some real problems with the social-conservative community,” says Tony Perkins, head of the Family Research Council. “But these aren’t normal circumstances.”

Identity based politics? Religious bias?

My, my…

► Jayde Wyatt

Ambassador Eric Edelman weighs in on Mitt Romney’s debate performance last night:

Boston, MA
United States

Mitt Romney’s Special Adviser on Foreign Policy and former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Eric Edelman, made the following statement after tonight’s debate in Washington, DC:

“I believe Mitt Romney clearly won tonight’s debate with a compelling presentation of a foreign policy based on American strength and resolve. The United States and the international system are at an inflection point as they face the prospect of new nuclear-armed powers like Iran and North Korea, a rising China, the continued terrorism of radical Jihadism, and a turbulent Middle East. Mitt Romney understands that this is a dangerous time for America to shrink our military, retreat from the world, or defer to other actors. All Americans can rest assured that Governor Romney will secure both our interests and ideals with a strong national defense, resolute diplomacy, and a renewal of American leadership.”

Background on Eric Edelman:

Eric Edelman was under Secretary of Defense for Policy from 2005 to 2009. Edelman served as U.S. Ambassador to Turkey (2003 to 2005), U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Finland (1998 to 2001), and Principal Deputy Assistant to the Vice President for National Security Affairs (2001 to 2003).

Senator John Thune joined Mitt Romney in Iowa, on the day before Thanksgiving, to deliver a strong endorsement for the former governor of Massachusetts. Romney and Thune spoke at a townhall meeting at Nationwide Insurance in Des Moines. A Q&A session was also held (about an hour).

C-Span recorded the event; click here to enjoy.

Romney also held a telephone townhall while in Iowa yesterday:

Speaking to thousands of Iowans in a telephone town hall, Mitt Romney pledged Wednesday to be a visible presence in the state in the weeks leading up to its first-in-the-nation presidential voting contest.

“You’ll be seeing more and more of me as we get closer to the caucuses,” he said. “Hopefully I’ll be able to convince almost all of you to go to caucus. I really do want your support.”

… Romney just opened a campaign headquarters in Des Moines and is visiting the state more frequently. He is expected to begin airing commercials soon, having recently videotaped one here.
[...]
Though his campaign has kept expectations low this time around, much has gone Romney’s way — the contest is more wide open at this point than in any Iowa nominating contest in memory, and the socially conservative and evangelical voters who thwarted him in 2008 have failed to coalesce behind a candidate.

If he can persuade his 2008 supporters to turn out for him again and the social conservative and evangelical voters who dominate the caucuses remain splintered, Romney could win on Jan. 3 despite spending a fraction of the money and time he spent here four years ago. That, coupled with an expected victory in the New Hampshire primary a week later, could seal the GOP race.
[...]
“We haven’t changed what we’ve been doing,” said David Kochel, Romney’s Iowa director. “We’ve been here several times, we’ll be back several times, and we’ve had small staff here, but they’ve worked hard and we respect the process and hope to do well here.”

(emphasis added)

There may be more in the works from The Hawkeye State…

► Jayde Wyatt

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

VOTE for Mitt at the Right Scoop poll.

I’m giving a ‘hat tip’ with a flourish today to this fantastic group of women in northwest Florida:

They’ve created an energizing new video for Governor Mitt Romney because…

[W]e’re tired of hearing the myth and the propaganda of the “anybody but Romney” crowd. Here is our response to it. There’s NOBODY but ROMNEY for me!

Watch to read what some women across America think about Romney:

Thanks, ECW for Romney and keep up the good work! ‘Like’ them here.

It’s time to get the grassroots videos rolling… who will be next?

H/t Evelio, video

► Jayde Wyatt

Good news!

Mitt Romney has garnered the first endorsement from a U.S. senator in any of the early states in the GOP race. Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) is not only backing Romney, she will serve as Co-Chair of his National Advisory Committee:

UnionLeader.com
By Alexander Burns
11/19/11

MANCHESTER — U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte will back Mitt Romney for President on Sunday in the first endorsement of a Republican presidential hopeful by a member of the state’s congressional delegation.

The New Hampshire Sunday News and UnionLeader.com have learned that the freshman lawmaker will formally endorse the former Massachusetts governor Sunday at 2:30 p.m. when she appears with him at a rally at Nashua City Hall. They will then visit nearby Jackie’s Diner to meet with voters.

Ayotte, a Nashua native and resident, is the biggest “get” so far in the New Hampshire primary sweepstakes.

Although endorsements by top elected officials don’t often sway independent-minded rank-and-file voters in the “Live Free or Die” state, the former attorney general is viewed as the most popular elected Republican in the state and is the party’s top elected official.

Ayotte will be named a co-chair of Romney’s national advisory committee and will be a surrogate for Romney not only in New Hampshire but also in other key states.

“She is a leader of the New Hampshire Republican Party and a rising star on the national stage,” said a Romney aide, who noted she has even been mentioned as a potential vice presidential candidate. “She will be an important surrogate for Governor Romney’s pro-growth message in the Granite State and across the country.”

Ayotte joins former Gov. John H. Sununu, former U.S. Sen. Judd Gregg and a long list of state lawmakers in Romney’s corner.

Ayotte’s statement:

First, it is imperative that Republicans nominate our strongest candidate to face President Obama. Mitt Romney has proven not only through his prior experience as a successful businessman and governor, but also through his solid campaign and excellent debate performances, that he is that candidate. We cannot afford another four years of a president who continues to bankrupt America and whose policies hurt the very job creators who can get our economy growing again. We can no longer sit on the sidelines and continue to listen to divisive rhetoric which divides our nation. Mitt Romney will be a strong leader who will unite America. With his strong qualifications and executive leadership experience, he will put America on the path to fiscal responsibility to make sure that we don’t continue to crush our children with mountains of debt. Mitt Romney not only eliminated a $3 billion deficit as Massachusetts Governor, he also cut taxes 19 times. And unlike President Obama, Governor Romney has spent most of his career in the private sector and knows how to create good jobs.

Second, Mitt Romney is not only committed to building a stronger economy, but he also believes, as I do, in stronger American leadership abroad. He will remain vigilant in the fight against al Qaeda and Islamist terrorists, and his national security decisions will be based on advice from our military commanders – not political polls. With a rising China and persistent nuclear threats from rogue nations, we need Governor Romney’s strong, steady leadership to vigorously protect American interests. I trust Mitt Romney to keep our country safe in a dangerous world.

Third, I believe Governor Romney will run a campaign against President Obama that is serious, substantive, and one we can be proud of.

(emphasis added )

Romney endorsed Ayotte when she was running for the senatorial seat last fall. Her endorsement of him is significant.

After The Gov’s rally today at Nashua (2:30 pm ET) and a meeting with voters at Jackie’s Diner, he will host a townhall meeting at 5:30 pm in Peterborough.

UPDATE 11/20/11 – Twitpic from Carol Robidoux, attendee @Nashua rally “They’re here!” (photo taken at front steps of Nashua City Hall, click on image to enlarge):

Governor Romney’s statement:

“In her short time in the U.S. Senate, Senator Ayotte has emerged as a conservative leader in the fight to cut spending and create a government that is more accountable to the taxpayers,” said Mitt Romney. “Throughout her career as a public servant, Senator Ayotte has displayed the virtues that Granite Staters expect from their leaders. She is a tireless worker who understands that she serves the New Hampshire taxpayers – not the other way around – and keeps a watchful eye on how their money is spent. I am honored to have her support and look forward to working with her to put an end to Washington’s spending addiction so that our children and grandchildren will not be burdened by irresponsible policies and endless debt.”

Background On Senator Kelly Ayotte:

Kelly Ayotte Was Elected To The United States Senate In 2010 With 60% Of The Vote. She previously served as New Hampshire’s first female Attorney General from 2004-2010. In the Senate, Kelly serves on the Armed Services, Budget, Commerce, and Small Business Committees. She is the Ranking Member on the Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support.

For successfully leading efforts to secure New Hampshire’s first capital murder convictions in over 60 years, the Union Leader newspaper named Ayotte “Citizen of the Year” in 2008. She is married to Joe Daley, a Nashua native who flew combat missions during the Iraq war and currently serves as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Air National Guard. She helped him launch a landscaping and snow removal company, which provides her with a firsthand understanding of how decisions made in Washington impact small businesses.

Kelly and Joe live in Nashua with their two children.

H/t Paulee, Union Leader article
► Jayde Wyatt

Wyoming Congresswoman Cynthia Lummis, one of the founding members of Michele Bachmann‘s Tea Party Caucus when the GOP reclaimed the House in 2010, has endorsed Mitt Romney. Lummis, also an attorney and rancher, will take the reins of the Romney campaign in Wyoming:

“Congresswoman Lummis has served Wyoming well for the past 30 years and I am honored to have such a public servant leading my campaign in Wyoming,” said Mitt Romney.

“Governor Romney’s experience as both a chief executive and conservative businessman makes him highly qualified to lead our nation at this time – a time when the size and scope of the federal government threatens to overwhelm us,” said Lummis.

“Recently, he highlighted the spending mess that we are in and how we can avert an economic crisis. The burdens now placed on small businesses and working Americans, and those who want to work, seem unbearable. I believe Mitt has emerged as the right person at the right time to lead America. I am honored to serve as his Wyoming Chairman and look forward to bringing his conservative message of fiscal responsibility to voters in my state.”

(emphasis added )

Background on Congresswoman Cynthia Lummis:

Congresswoman Lummis was first elected to Congress in 2008 and serves on the Appropriations Committee. Prior to her election, she served in both the Wyoming Senate and House and served two terms as Wyoming’s State Treasurer. Congressman Lummis is a rancher and an attorney.

Send an email welcoming Congresswoman Lummis’ to Team Romney; visit her website (click on ‘contact’ tab). ‘Like’ her facebook page here.

► Jayde Wyatt

James A. Baker III, who served in both Ronald Reagan’s and George H.W. Bush’s administrations has recently endorsed Mitt Romney in which he thinks Mitt Romney is the best candidate to defeat President Obama in 2012:

Former Secretary of State James A. Baker III said Thursday that Mitt Romney would be the Republicans’ strongest nominee against President Obama, arguing that the former Massachusetts governor’s private-sector experience would resonate with voters in swing states.

“I think that Romney would be our strongest candidate in the fall,” Mr. Baker said at the International Republican Institute’s annual dinner, where he was given the organization’s Freedom Award.

Mr. Baker said he is bullish on Mr. Romney “because he’s had private-sector business experience” and because he is most likely to appeal to voters in swing states.

“To win a general election, you’ve got to win the voters in the swing states,” he said. “Those swing states are Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, Florida – and I think Mitt Romney would probably appeal to those independent voters more so than any of the other people running on our side.”

James Baker III is right, in order to win a Presidential election you have to attract as many voters as you can as possible from each group of the political spectrum of liberals, moderates, independents and conservatives.

The good news is polls are showing Mitt Romney is the only candidate who remains competitive in swing states against President Obama.

A new Quinnipiac poll released yesterday shows Mitt Romney and President Obama are even in Ohio, Florida and Pennsylvania.  What’s even better is that a USA Today/Gallup poll released a poll last week showed Romney and Obama even in 12 swing states:  Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin.

I would like to remind our readers of an excellent article the Daily Caller wrote in April 2011 in which the Obama team’s plan for reelection was to widen the electoral map as much as possible:

Their ‘awesome plan’ may be difficult to implement because Mitt Romney is actually shrinking Obama’s electoral map:

“Ironically, there is one GOP presidential frontrunner who is currently expanding the electoral map on Team Obama — Mitt Romney.”

How is Romney shrinking Obama’s electoral map? It’s due to Mitt’s strong appeal among Independents and moderates while retaining conservatives at the same time, which is why Mitt Romney poses a huge challenge to President Obama in all the swing states. If you want to ruin Obama’s plans for another four years in office, then supporting Mitt Romney is the best way to go since he’s the candidate best able to do it.