Wednesday, Feb 07, 2007
"House Republicans supporting former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) will hold a Capitol Hill press event today to unveil new additions to their team - additions that move him ahead of Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) in public Congressional endorsements as the battle for Member support continues at a torrid pace between two of the leading GOP presidential hopefuls."
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"Rep. Jim McCrery (R-La.), who is Romney's liaison in the House chamber, said the Republicans now on board constitute the former governor's initial whip team.
"'We'll be utilizing these 22 Members to bolster support for Romney here on Capitol Hill,' he said.
"Among the endorsements to be announced today are those of Reps. Rodney Alexander (La.), John Linder (Ga.), Ralph Regula (Ohio), Bill Shuster (Pa.) and Mike Simpson (Idaho)."
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"Romney's list thus far is a mix of the party's rising stars in the House - such as Reps. Marsha Blackburn (Tenn.), Mike Rogers (Ala.) and Feeney - and established veterans such as Regula, Rep. Hal Rogers (Ky.) and former Speaker Dennis Hastert (Ill.)."
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"While about half of Romney's team thus far is made up of social conservatives from Southern states, McCrery said that was more a function of the Members who were involved in initial meetings with Romney rather than an indication of any endorsement strategy based on geography.
"Romney visited Capitol Hill in January for meetings with Members, attending separate events set up by Rogers and Rep. Jack Kingston (Ga.).
"'Almost half of the Members are not from the South,' McCrery said. 'We can say that we have a pretty good representation of all of the regions of the country for Gov. Romney.'" ...