$10.25 MILLION!




Governor Romney’s final National Call Day tally hasn’t been counted but MRC’s Nate Gunderson (who helped at the event) reported from the floor in Vegas today that Spencer Zwick (Romney’s finance chair) announced Gov Romney raised $10.25 MILLION! That astounding one-day total has never been done before in politics.

This is BIG, folks.

Romney hosted a terrific half hour livestream Town Hall at 3:00 PM EST today. When that video is available, we’ll post it here.

A heartfelt thanks to each of you who contributed to Gov Romney’s very successful fundraiser!

NOTE: Gunderson reported that after the event, Romney and wife, Ann, left to speak to students at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).

UPDATE: In Vegas, Mitt Romney Scores Big

“We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of support for Governor Romney’s campaign,” said Romney’s finance chair Spencer Zwick. “The results are a strong indication of the national enthusiasm for Governor Romney and his pro-jobs platform.

“As today’s event makes clear, Governor Romney will have the resources to be competitive and to spread his jobs and economy message, “added Zwick.
[...]
Initially Romney’s team hoped to raise $3 million; instead they far exceeded their goal.

UPDATE 2: Governor Romney worked up an appetite today!

Romney spoke to reporters after an event here held on the campus at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. He met with a dozen Republican students, delivering a economic-filled message along with burgers and fries from In-n-Out Burger (Romney dug in, taking large bites of a burger while the students nibbled on some fries: “Looks like I’m the only guy who wanted a burger at four in the afternoon,” Romney joked.)

Reporters also asked Romney about Mike Huckabee’s decision not to undertake a second presidential bid:

“I took that news with mixed emotions,” Romney said. “On the one hand, I’m happy to not be facing a tough and effective competitor in Mike. But on the other hand, he’d be a veteran and we’d have good times together. And I’ll miss him on the campaign trail.”

The Gov also responded to questions about Massachusetts’ private-market insurance: :

“We have in my state a curriculum that we provide to all of our schools, our high schools, and we test kids across the state on our curriculum,” Romney said. “I like what we’ve done, it’s a pretty good job. But the last thing I’d suggest is to take the Massachusetts curriculum for schools and have President Obama tell every state they’ve got to use the Massachusetts curriculum. That would make no sense at all. The needs of different students and the rights of people in different states have to be recognized.”

Reuters – Mitt Romney: “We’re activating our campaign today.”

“We’re activating our campaign today,” Romney told supporters on a conference call.
[...]
Romney is still a step short of formally announcing a second bid for the Republican primary nomination, but has been on an extensive fund-raising tour and has started to step up his public appearances as well.

The former Massachusetts governor touted his record as a turnaround specialist who can get the U.S. economy on track.

“The American people care about getting good jobs,” Romney said during the eight-minute call. “That is my wheelhouse.”

Romney cited his experience running the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, as Massachusetts governor, and as head of the private equity firm Bain Capital.

“My experience, my history is in turning things around. I will get America on the right track again.

(my emphasis)

UPDATE 3 – To see a slide show of Mitt and the students he met with after giving his UNLV speech, click here.

Videos of Mitt’s speech to supporters at the end of National Call Day and at the University of Las Vegas – Nevada below the fold (more…)