The accolades continue to pour in for Governor Romney’s performance at the GOP presidential debates last night at St. Anselm’s College in Manchester, New Hampshire. Here are videos of the entire debate.

Part two: Discussion about the federal government’s role in society (NASA, the debt limit, the housing crisis, federal bailouts and food safety).

Part three: Discussion about faith and religion (abortion, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, same-sex marriage); immigration.

Part four: Discussion about defense and foreign policy (war in Afghanistan, defense spending, troop withdrawal)

Mitt Romney answers question during presidential debate at St. Anselm College in Manchester, NH. 6/13/11

Romney was on his game — smooth, relaxed, and unflappable. He did well in the debates in 2008, but benefited tonight from his increased stature in the context of the rest of field. In 2008, he was up against John McCain and Rudy Giuliani, strong personalities with real gravity, and Mike Huckabee, a fellow first-time candidate who is a natural performer. He was also helped by the unwillingness of anyone to take him on, most notably Tim Pawlenty on the “Obamneycare” charge. If Pawlenty wasn’t willing to back up that line in person, he shouldn’t have said it on TV Sunday. In general, Pawlenty was fine, but faded into the background and sometimes seemed much too canned.

(emphasis added) Continue reading here.

Newsmax.com says this:

Bachmann, Romney Big Winners in New Hampshire Debate

Mitt’s video team put together a highlight video of the debate and we’ve posted it below. Read more…

National Journal took a poll of republicans and of democrats to see who won the debate.

A survey of GOP insiders indicates that Mitt Romney was the biggest winner of Monday night’s CNN/WMUR/New Hampshire Union Leader Republican presidential debate.

According to a National Journal Political Insiders poll, 51 percent of those questioned say that the former Massachusetts governor was the biggest winner of the debate, with 21 percent saying that Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota was the winner. In third place in the survey was former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty at nine percent, followed by former House Speaker Newt Gingrich at seven percent, former Godfather’s Pizza CEO and radio talk show host Herman Cain and former Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania at four percent.

None of the 54 Republican political operatives, strategists, campaign consultants and lobbyists who are part of the National Journal’s regular panel of Washington insiders said that Rep. Ron Paul of Texas was the biggest winner of the debate.

So who was the biggest loser?

Twenty-six percent say Pawlenty, with 19 percent saying Cain was the biggest loser. Twelve percent pick Gingrich as the person who lost the most, followed by Romney at 11 percent, Santorum at seven percent and Bachmann and Paul each at four percent.

National Journal also surveyed a similar amount of Democratic Party insiders, with 35 percent saying Romney was the biggest winner, followed by 26 percent choosing Bachmann as the clear winner.

Here’s some more reaction to the debate:

The Fix had this to say on Gov. Romney (who was listed in the winners category): “Romney came into the debate as the frontrunner in New Hampshire and nationally and he did nothing in the 120 minutes on stage at Saint Anselm College to change that. Romney was serious and well informed — in a word: presidential. His debate experience from 2008 clearly paid off as he stayed focused on President Obama and the economy to the exclusion of almost everything else. Romney also benefited from the fact that none of his rivals seemed to have the stomach to attack him directly. And, health care was — at best — a tangential topic. All in all a very good night for Romney.”

BigGovernment gives the nod to Mitt.

RedState’s Erick Erickson says Mitt won the debate.

Politico gives the award for First Place to Mitt as well.

Also, a website called Mashable, which takes into account how the candidates are responded to on social networks, had this to say: “The stand-out frontrunner was Mitt Romney, who ended the night with the greatest number of new Facebook Likes and the greatest overall Likes on his Page.”

Here’s this little Gem from Yahoo:

The first major Republican presidential debate was held in New Hampshire last night, and by all accounts, especially on social media, Mitt Romney dominated. After the debate, Romney gained the most “likes” on his Facebook page, bringing his total to almost 1 million, the most of all the candidates.

Finally, our buddies at ComMITTed to Romney compiled some more reactions.

The day we’ve been waiting for is here at last!

The CNN/WMUR/New Hampshire Union Leader GOP presidential debate takes place this evening from 8:00 – 10:00 PM ET and it’s all happening at St. Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire. It’s Mitt Romney’s first 2012 presidential debate; he’ll step onto the stage as leader of the pack:

WASHINGTON — As Republican presidential contenders prepare for their first major debate tonight, a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll finds former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney building a modest lead in a political climate that could be well-suited to his candidacy.

To be sure, voters’ loyalties are far from set seven or eight months before the caucuses and primaries begin. By 2-1, Republican and Republican-leaning independents say they may change their minds.

But there is no question which issue swamps all others in importance: the economy and jobs. Those surveyed were inclined to prefer the candidate who has the best chance of defeating President Obama rather than one who agrees with them on every issue.

“Romney has had a good six months, solidifying himself as the front-runner” and blasting Obama on the economy as disappointing jobless numbers were released, says Scott Reed, a GOP consultant who ran Bob Dole’s presidential campaign in 1996 . “He has shaped up to be the 800-pound gorilla in New Hampshire.”
[...]
For Romney, the debate is a chance to tout his credentials as a businessman who understands how to create jobs.
[...]
Romney’s support stands at 24%, up 7 percentage points compared with a survey last month.

(emphasis added)

Romney, again, leads the primary field:

Mitt Romney – 24 %
Sarah Palin – 16%
Herman Cain – 9%
Tim Pawlenty and others – single digits

TRENDING – CNN Poll: Republicans want a winner

Manchester, New Hampshire (CNN) – One day before a CNN/WMUR/New Hampshire Union Leader Republican presidential debate, a new national poll suggests that when it comes to the next election for the White House, Republicans put winning over ideological purity.

According to a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey released Sunday morning, three-quarters of Republicans and GOP leaning independent voters say they want a party nominee who can defeat President Barack Obama in 2012, even if that person doesn’t agree with them on every issue. That’s up seven percentage points from January.
[...]
Two-thirds say that Romney can beat the president in the general election…
[...]
The CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll was conducted June 3-7, with 1,015 adult Americans, including 433 Republicans and independent voters who lean towards the GOP, questioned by telephone. The survey’s overall sampling error is plus or minus three percentage points.

(emphasis added)

Participants in tonight’s debate: Mitt Romney, Tim Pawlenty, Newt Gingrich (yes, he’s still in), Michele Bachmann (presidential candidacy announcement expected any day), Ron Paul, Herman Cain, and Rick Santorum. Notably absent is Jon Huntsman, who has been campaigning unofficially for several weeks, mostly in New Hampshire.

Former NH Governor John Sununu and son, former NH Senator John E. Sununu, preview the presidential debate:

Reminder: The debate takes place this evening at 8:00-10:00 PM ET and will air on CNN. We hope to livestream it here, as well. All Romney supporters are invited to participate in our chat party. This is going to be good! Details to come…

► Jayde Wyatt

Debate moderators and members of the media are trying to get Tim Pawlenty and Mitt Romney to go after each other. However, Romney remains focused on Obama. Let’s help Mitt get signatures for his new ‘Unemployed Americans are not just bumps in the road’ petition.

What is a straw poll?

A straw poll is an informal opinion survey. The term “straw poll” is thought to have come from an 1800s American farmland practice of tossing “straws in the wind” to test wind direction. By the 1820s, some American newspapers included a straw poll that informally surveyed public opinion as a way of testing the direction of the political ‘winds.’

What is the Ames Straw Poll?
It’s a poll that takes place in Ames, Iowa, on a Saturday in August for those years in an election cycle without an incumbent GOP President running for re-election. The Ames Straw Poll, first held in 1979, attracts voters from all over the state rather than just the local area (Ames is near the geographic center of Iowa, making travel there more convenient). This year, the Ames Straw Poll will take place on August 13, 2011 at the Hilton Coliseum on the campus of Iowa State University.

What is the significance of the Ames Straw Poll?

As a straw poll, the Ames Straw Poll’s results are non-binding and have no official effect on the presidential primaries. However, the straw poll is frequently seen as a first test of organizational strength in Iowa by the news media and party insiders.

It’s an expensive, non-binding undertaking in which non-Republicans may vote, with results that don’t necessarily indicate which candidate will win in Iowa.

Q. Is Governor Romney participating in the Ames Straw Poll? Is he participating in other non-binding events?

A. No.

Here’s why:

Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney says he’s focused on winning the presidential primaries and caucuses so he can be the GOP nominee next year.

But that means the former Massachusetts governor will not take part in straw polls, including a critical one in Iowa being held in August. The Romney campaign announced Thursday that it decided it would not participate in any of the non-binding events, including those in Florida and Michigan.

“We respect the straw poll process,” Matt Rhoades, Romney’s campaign manager, said in a statement. “In the last presidential campaign, we were both strengthened as an organization and learned some important lessons by participating in them.”
[...]
Veteran GOP political strategist Charlie Black told the Associated Press that straw polls are “a trap for front-runners.”

“It’s a gamble that you put a lot of resources behind and it’s not a predictor of who wins the caucuses.

(emphasis added)

Last month, when The Gov was in Iowa, he spoke at length about how much he values Iowa voters. “You’ll have plenty of opportunity to see me,” Romney said in May. “I care about Iowa.”

Want to know what Santorum and Pawlenty said about Mitt’s decision to forego non-binding events? (The difference in tone gives one an idea on how we can expect Monday’s presidential debate to go…) Click here.

The Page brings even more perspective to Gov. Romney’s decision. Mitt is doing what winning candidates do.

UPDATE on Mitt’s decision not to participate in Florida’s straw poll:

Former Florida GOP Chairman John Thrasher, a state Senator from Jacksonville who is backing Romney, defended Romney’s decision.

“The campaign’s decision to not participate in any straw polls makes strategic sense,” Thrasher said. “Florida is an expensive state to campaign in. As a candidate that has already proven his organizational strength and support in Florida, it’s smart for him to focus his time and resources on winning the actual primary. I know first-hand from Mitt that he is committed to campaigning in Florida throughout the primary process and am very happy to hear that he will also participate in the P5 debate.”

(emphasis added)

Romney’s decision to not take part in straw polls backs up his statement that he is running a “wiser” and “leaner” campaign this time around.

Romney has received his first endorsement from a sitting governor – Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman:

Heineman endorses Romney, again

Heineman has, for the second time, endorsed Mitt Romney for the Republican presidential nomination.

Romney is considered a frontrunner in the 2012 GOP presidential field, although the race is far from defined. [...]
Romney underscored Heineman’s pro-business credentials in the announcement. “Governor Heineman shares my principles of promoting job creation and getting our exploding deficits under control,” Romney said.

Heineman said he believes Romney, with his experience as a governor, has what it takes to meet the nation’s challenges. “Mitt Romney has a proven record of balancing budgets, keeping taxes low, and creating an environment for job growth,” Heineman said.

Heineman’s endorsement could help Romney in western Iowa, which holds the nation’s first presidential test with its famed caucuses.

(emphasis added)

Plumb endorsements from Missouri:

State auditor Tom Schweich, a former chief of staff to former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton, was one of the Missouri endorsements former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney announced Thursday.

Bolton is weighing his own presidential campaign. He and Romney both endorsed Schweich’s 2010 campaign and headlined fundraisers for the race.

Romney’s other Show-Me-State supporters include former Sen. Jim Talent, a longtime Romney backer, state Senate Majority Leader Tom Dempsey and state House Majority Floor Leader Tim Jones.

Former Ambassador Sam Fox and Jeff Fox, CEO of Harbour Group, are Romney’s Missouri finance chairmen.

The endorsements from Ambassador Sam Fox and Jeff Fox are nothing to sneeze at…

ST. LOUIS • When it comes to visiting the Gateway City, presidential hopeful Mitt Romney knows exactly where a Republican needs to go.

The campaign for the former Massachusetts reports on Thursday that he traveled to St. Louis for a “finance event” where he welcomed the father and son tandem Sam and Jeff Fox as his state finance chairmen.

Sam Fox, founder of the Clayton acquisition firm Harbour Group, is one of the nation’s most prominent GOP donors. He was previously head of the “Republican Regents,” an elite circle of GOP benefactors. His son Jeff is following dad in politics and business — the younger Fox became Harbour’s chief executive in 2007.

(emphasis added)

I’m liking Governor Romney’s Mitt on the Road videos. Here he is in Detroit, Michigan:

► Jayde Wyatt

“I refuse to believe that America is just another place on the map with a flag. We stand for freedom, opportunity and hope.” – Mitt Romney

Thousands of Romney supporters on Twitter and Facebook were asked why they believe in America. After all the responses were gathered, the Romney campaign created this eye-catching word cloud which shows the words most frequently used by respondents…

From Zac Moffat, Digital Director:

From your responses it’s important to note that, even though we all come from very different walks of life, our belief in America is centered on the same core principles. Not surprisingly, the words freedom, hope, and opportunity were some of the most common.

For Americans, those words are everyday aspects of the life we enjoy—but for those who’ve never had America’s chance at living them—those are more than just words.

Thanks for your feedback, everyone. We’ll continue to use Facebook, Twitter, and other platforms to ask for your thoughts and input as we move forward.

Romney’s ‘word cloud’ image is a clever, eye-catching visual summarization of YOUR responses. The Romney campaign is eager for your feedback; they will continue to use Facebook, Twitter, and other platforms of communication to reach out – so take advantage of the new media!

Obama’s boost in the polls after killing Bin Laden has turned to smoke as Americans continue to deal with the grim reality of a worsening economy.

Almost nine in 10 rate the economy negatively. Americans say our nation is seriously on the wrong track by two to one. No wonder there has been lots of buzz today about the Washington Post/ABC poll released this morning. Romney has pulled ahead of President Obama by three points and significantly outperforms his GOP opponents:

Mitt Romney 49% Barack Obama 46%

Barack Obama 50% Newt Gingrich 44%

Barack Obama 50% Tim Pawlenty 41%

Barack Obama 50% Jon Huntsman 40%

Barack Obama 51% Michele Bachmann 40%

Barack Obama 55% Sarah Palin 40%

For Americans, the economy has really taken front and center and desperate Americans are looking for help. Romney’s expertise is looking better and better. 47% of registered voters now say they will NOT vote for Obama.

It’s also no wonder that big donors and bundlers continue to put their money on Governor Romney.

The Fix:

As he ramps up his 2012 presidential bid, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney (R) has been actively recruiting major donors who did not support him four years ago — with impressive results.

Romney, who collected more than $100 million in 2008, has recruited at least 18 heavy-hitters (or “whales” in the political fundraising parlance) to help him secure the nomination this time around.

“There have been a great number of new individuals that have agreed to be a member of Gov. Romney’s finance leadership team,” said national finance chairman Spencer Zwick. Zwick added that in nearly every case, the new members of the Romney fundraising inner circle have already hosted (or will soon host) an event for the former governor.

This is an impressive roster of donors:

The list of new names is loaded with major contributors who backed Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) in 2008 including: lobbyist Wayne Berman, who served as McCain’s national finance co-chair, New York Jets owner Woody Johnson, New York Yankees president Randy Levine, oil magnate Kit Moncrief, philanthropist Mica Mosbacher, former Ambassador to Spain George Argyros and former Ambassador to Belgium Sam Fox.

Romney also has two major donors previously committed to Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels and his un-pursued campaign — attorneys Dan Dumezich and Bob Grand — as well as two people who had planned to back Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour’s presidential campaign: Austin Barbour, the nephew of the governor, and Bobbie Kilberg, the president of the Northern Virginia Technology Council and the 1993 lieutenant governor nominee in Virginia.

Lew Eisenberg, a major GOP money man who served as the co-chairman of the 2008 Republican National Convention, is also on board with Romney, as is Texas homebuilder Bob Perry, who has used his wealth to fund a number of conservative-aligned groups including Swift Boat Veterans for Truth in the 2004 election.

Perhaps most interestingly, Skybridge Capital managing partner Anthony Scarramucci, a former Obama donor, has signed on with Romney. (Scarramucci was a law school classmate of Obama but engaged in a high profile back-and-forth with the president in a town hall meeting last fall.)

Here’s where we can help:

But what Romney is clearly hoping for when the 2012 presidential hopefuls report their fundraising totals on July 15 is a total staggering enough to not only cow his rivals, but make clear to fundraising fence-sitters that the time is now to get behind him.
[...]
Romney’s expanded finance team sends a clear message: He is not content to simply replicate the fundraising successes he had in 2008. He wants to push well beyond them. His rivals now need to try to stay within financial shouting distance.

(emphasis added)

The Gov is depending on our support NOW. If you donated on his big fundraiser day, thank you! It’s time to give again. If you weren’t able to donate, perhaps you can determine a way to budget in a donation now. Any amount helps! This is the time to put our money where our mouths are. Donate here.

► Jayde Wyatt

Steady as he goes!

There is a lot to report on this busy news day for Governor Romney, so we’ll jump right in…

Romney continues to fan out across the country; he’s heading to the Sunshine State. Key donors in Sarasota, Florida, are putting their money on Mitt Romney:

Romney fundraiser attracts key political players

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who officially announced his candidacy last week, is scheduled to be in Sarasota on June 16 for a private fund-raiser.

And the early guest lists for the event show Romney is building significant support among key political players and donors in the region.

State Sens. Nancy Detert, R-Venice, and Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton; developers Carlos Beruff and Henry Rodriguez; and Gary Kompothecras, the man behind the 1-800-ASK-GARY lawyer referral network, are all among those on the invite list for the $250-per-person lunch reception at the Sarasota Yacht Club.

“It shows he has staying power,” said Bennett, who supported Romney in 2008 before his loss to eventual Republican nominee John McCain.

“Romney has the best shot of any of the early Republican candidates of beating President Barack Obama,” said Linda Long, a GOP activist and president of the Republican Women’s Club of Sarasota.

Long said Romney already has the name recognition, the business background and the ability to raise the money needed to beat Obama.

“He has broad and wide experience,” Long said.

The Sunshine State is also the site of the 2012 Republican National Convention; it will be held in Tampa on August 27, 2012.

Rasmussen surveyed 1,000 likely U.S. voters on June 2-3 and here are the good news results:

Mitt Romney is the only Republican 2012 hopeful that a sizable number of voters considers qualified to be president. Sarah Palin is the one they view as least qualified, but, at this early stage, many voters are still in the dark about all the possible candidates.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 49% of Likely U.S. Voters think that Romney, a former Massachusetts governor and unsuccessful GOP presidential candidate in 2008, is qualified to be president. Twenty-five percent (25%) say he is not qualified, and another 25% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Still, that’s well above how voters view some of Romney’s chief competitors in the race. Twenty-seven percent (27%) rate both former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty and maverick Texas GOP Congressman Ron Paul as qualified to be in the White House. But 32% say Pawlenty is not qualified, and 42% are undecided. As for Paul, 43% think he’s not qualified to serve as president, but 31% aren’t sure.

Twenty-six percent (26%) believe former House Speaker Newt Gingrich has the qualifications to be president, but nearly half (48%) disagree. Twenty-six percent (26%) are not sure.

However, voters feel strongest that Palin, the Republican vice presidential nominee in 2008, is not qualified. Twenty-three percent (23%) say the former Alaska governor is qualified to serve as the nation’s chief executive, but 63% say she is not qualified. Palin is the best-known of the Republicans with just 15% undecided about her.
[...]
Twenty percent (20%) of voters say Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann and former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman are qualified to be president. Forty-five percent (45%), though, say Bachmann is not qualified enough, and one-in-three (34%) don’t know her well enough to venture any opinion.

Twenty-eight percent (28%) think Huntsman, who recently stepped down as U.S. ambassador to China, lacks the qualifications to be president, but over half (52%) have no opinion.

Businessman Herman Cain is seen as qualified to serve as president by only 18% and not qualified enough by 35%. Forty-seven percent (47%) aren’t sure.

(emphasis added)

*Word is PPP has more good news for Romney; Nate will post details later.

Who is Dr. Fix-It? Obama or Romney?

Political commentator David Gergen (CNN) weighs in on Obama’s handling of America’s economic crisis (6/3/11):

Don’t forget to watch Governor Romney tonight at 9:00 PM ET on the Piers Morgan TV show.


► Jayde Wyatt

“His first prime-time interview! He’ll talk about the economy, Palin, and ObamaCare!”

That’s how CNN is advertising Governor Mitt Romney’s appearance on Piers Morgan Tonight Monday evening, June 6, 2011, at 9:00 PM ET. (Check local listings for additional airing times.) Don’t miss it!

When Morgan launched his program earlier this year (he took over Larry King’s time slot on CNN) he quickly booked Romney to appear on his show. Since announcing his presidential candidacy a few days ago, The Gov has also been featured on an extended segment on Sean Hannity’s afternoon program (FOX News).

More good news coming out of New Hampshire… A poll taken from New Hampshire voters regarding GOP presidential candidates (data gathered on 5/22/11 released 5/28/11), including numbers for those who aren’t officially in the race, reveal very good numbers for Romney.

CNN/WMUR Poll NH Poll:

CNN has released the results of their latest CNN WMUR poll, the results of which they are reporting as “far from settled,” despite strong numbers for Gov. Mitt Romney in almost every category except one – the handling of terrorism. In that category, Rudy Giuliani bested Romney 19% to 16%. Of course, this early in the primary season, with half the people on the list not even announced candidates, “far from settled” is an understatement. Even so, it’s useful to see the results of the CNN WMUR poll in graphic form, where the gulf between the front runner and his followers becomes much more apparent.

Leadership: In response to the question, “Which candidate do you feel is the strongest leader?” 40% of likely GOP voters in New Hampshire answered Romney. That’s more than three times the number of votes either of his two nearest competitors received. Giulani got 12%, and Gingrich 11%. No other candidate received more than 3%.

The Economy: When asked which candidate would be best able to handle the economy, a solid 44% chose Romney. That shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone, since the economy has been Romney’s forte and focus. His strategy will be to focus like a laser beam on jobs and the economy, rather than allow his message to get muddled as it did in 2008.

Experience: The candidate judged to have the experience necessary to be president was again Romney, with 29%. The number was almost three times higher than the second place candidate, Sarah Palin, who received 10%, and Rudy Giuliani in third place with 8%. Some may find it interesting that a Mayor scored higher in experience than four governors.

(emphasis added in all quotes)

Mitt Romney also polled highest in: Best Able to Handle Budget Deficit, Most Believable, Represents My Values, Likeability, Best Able to Handle Health Care, Best Chance at Beating Obama.

See details here.

Lastly, here’s a liberal artist’s interpretation of GOP participants in the June 13th presidential debate in New Hampshire:

Scroll to the bottom to see the YouTube video of Mitt’s speech.

Mitt Romney is in our nation’s capitol tonight to speak at the Faith & Freedom Conference and Strategy Briefing. The second annual event is being held at the Renaissance Washington, D.C. Downtown Hotel.

You can now watch Ann’s introduction followed by Mitt’s speech here.

Tonight’s schedule:
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM EST

Donald Trump
Tim Pawlenty
Mitt Romney
Ron Paul

Michele Bachmann and Jon Huntsman spoke earlier today. Those among the speakers for the two day event include: Herman Cain, Ron Paul, Tim Pawlenty, Donald Trump, Rick Santorum, and Glenn Beck.

C-Span TV channel will also air tonight’s program from 7:00 -10:00PM EST.

Romney supporters are invited to drop by our chat forum tonight during Gov Romney’s speech!

► Jayde Wyatt

UPDATE from Ross

While you’re waiting, check out the highlights Mitt’s video team put together from the big announcement yesterday:

Video of Mitt’s speech at the Faith & Freedom Coalition Conference below the fold. Read more…

Mid-week news on Governor Romney…

Demonstrating his regard for hard-working Iowans, Gov Romney is heading to The Hawkeye State this Friday:

Just days after naming former 2008 campaign staffer Sara Craig as his State Director for Iowa, Romney will head to the Hawkeye State himself, starting his day Friday meeting with employees at AgVision Agriculture Software, a company that specializes in providing computer software to grain elevators, seed processors, fertilizer retailers and feed stores, to name a few.

Romney will then be the kick-off speaker for the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s Presidential Forum Speaker Series. The series, sponsored by the Greater Des Moines Partnership, Mediacom and IowaPolitics.com, will extend invitations to all prospective presidential candidates before the 2012 Presidential Caucuses.

Later Friday, Romney will head to Cedar Rapids to attend a picnic at the Hughes Farm, hosted by the Johnson and Linn County GOP.

(links and emphasis added)
Those wishing to attend the Des Moines Presidential Forum may register here.

IOWA UPDATE -Seattle pi
Romney spoke on the phone Wednesday with Iowa’s Governor Terry Branstad:

“Certainly on economic issues Gov. Romney could do very well,” Branstad, a pro-business Republican nominated last year over a strict social conservative, told The Associated Press. “I know he’s doing well nationally, but Iowa could be important for him.”
[...]
“Voters will see him frequently [in Iowa] and consistently hear him talk about his plan for creating jobs and growing the economy,” said Andrea Saul, communications director for Romney’s presidential exploratory campaign.

Mitt Romney revs up his Florida money machine

While Tim Pawlenty and Rick Santorum are meeting and greeting in Florida, Mitt Romney returns to Jacksonville to raise dough with Who’s who of Republican elites. Northeast Florida, a high turnout GOP stronghold, was very much Romney country in 2008. He crushed John McCain in that region.

Scaramucci Deserts Obama For Romney

Hedge fund manager Anthony Scaramucci is deserting an old classmate to beat the fundraising bushes for his rival.

The founder of $7.2 billion Skybridge Capital is holding a Presidential campaign fundraising dinner for Republican Mitt Romney, thereby turning his back on his Harvard Law School classmate and White House incumbent Barack Obama.

The $2,500 per plate event is slated for June at the Mandarin Hotel in New York, according to a report in MarketWatch.

But a source told HedgeFund.net that Scaramucci had already held more private fundraising events for his candidate mostly aimed at hedge fund managers and other investment advisors.

Romney, who co-founded private equity firm Bain Capital before he served as Massachusetts governor, is the type of pro-business Republican that many in the asset class would like to see as their next President.
[...]
Scaramucci, who supported Obama in the 2008 election, became disenchanted by what he perceived as the President’s anti-Wall Street attitudes.

He told Obama on a CNBC town hall discussion last fall that the administration’s regulatory stances made him feel like “a piñata.”

(emphasis added)

Contributions go to Romney for President Exploratory Committee Inc.

Though Romney isn’t a presidential candidate yet and hasn’t begun official campaigning, and in spite of FreedomWorks, he comes out on top in four polls this week:

★ Mitt Romney wins Harris poll (5/25/11)

Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney has won another poll.

Mr. Romney, a potential Republican presidential candidate, received 14 percent support in the latest Harris poll.

Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, who said he would not seek the Republican presidential nomination before the vote was taken, was second among likely GOP voters in the poll released Monday at 12 percent. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich had 10 percent.

The remaining field of potential candidates received less than 8 percent and “undecided” led the field with 23 percent.

The poll is the third in less than twenty-four hours to show Mr. Romney as the front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination. The former Massachusetts governor took first in a CNN poll released Monday and an Ohio poll released later that day also showed Mr. Romney leading the pack of Republicans.

(emphasis added)

★ Insider Advantage (5/24/11)

Insider Advantage conducted a survey for Channel 2 Action News of 770 likely Republican and Independent voters in which Georgia’s Herman Cain is statistically tied for second place with Sarah Palin and Michelle Bachmann.

According to the poll, Mitt Romney received 16.2% of the vote, Michelle Bachmann 11.8 %, Sarah Palin 11%, Herman Cain 10.9%, Tim Pawlenty 7.4%, Newt Gingrich 6.4%, Ron Paul 5%, Other 5.3%, Undecided 25.5%.

★ CNN/WMUR by New Hampshire Survey Center (5/23/11)

Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney led the poll, garnering 32 percent of GOP primary voters in New Hampshire, the state where the nation’s first presidential primary is to be held. For the rest of the GOP players, they are clumped at the bottom of the lineup, with their batting averages amongst voters in the single digits.

★ Dick Morris GMRS Survey (5/25/11)

A survey completed on May 23rd shows Mitt Romney seizing a decisive national lead in the Republican Presidential Primary. Romney, who was getting only 22% of the vote before Trump and Huckabee pulled out, now swells to 30% of the primary vote (if Sarah Palin does not run).

With Palin out of the race, the Morris Poll found the following results:
Romney = 30%
Gingrich = 15%
Bachmann = 7%
Cain = 7%
Pawlenty = 5%
Santorum = 3%
Huntsman = 1%

With Palin in the contest, Romney still leads with 25% of the vote, followed by Palin at 16% and Gingrich at 11%. No other candidate gets more than 6%.

(emphasis added all polls)

I couldn’t finish this midweek update without mentioning a comment made by Tim Pawlenty when he officially announced his candidacy on Monday:

“We’re not going to be the money champion in the race to start with though my friend Mitt Romney will be the front-runner in that regard. But we’re going to have enough money to run a competitive and successful campaign. It may not be the BMW or Mercedes campaign, but it will be a good solid Buick and maybe even trending towards a Cadillac and that will be enough for us to be competitive and win.”

I don’t know if that was a T-Paw class warfare dart or his way of downplaying Romney’s $10.25 million fundraiser last week, but either way, the folksy inference that The Gov is running a BMW or Mercedes campaign is —— folksy. So, here’s my metaphor for T-Paw…

With sleeves rolled up and eyes clearly focused on rebuilding our nation, Romney’s hands are firmly wrapped around the wheel of a Mack big rig truck loaded with a lifetime of business experience, intelligence, organization, common sense leadership, values, work ethic, and wisdom.

I can’t wait for the Romney big rig to shift into full gear and head on down the road to the White House!

► Jayde Wyatt