Romney 'overwhelmed' by $6.5 million in trial fund-raiser
Romney 'overwhelmed' by $6.5 million in trial fund-raiser
By Suzanne StruglinskiDeseret Morning News BOSTON — Mitt Romney raised $6.5 million Monday, giving the former Massachusetts governor — and his opponents — a clear indication there is strong support for him should he decide to run for the Republican presidential nomination, he said.Josh Reynolds, Associated PressMitt Romney hangs up after calling his sister as part of his "National Call Day" experiment. In a campaign fund-raising experiment, Romney's "National Call Day" at the Boston Convention Center had more than 400 supporters — including more than a dozen Utahns — work the phones, calling their own personal networks of likely donors to start funding Romney's presidential campaign. "I'm overwhelmed by the support, I'm heartened by the friendships, and I'm optimistic about the future," Romney said, adding that people were still making calls after that $6.5 million total was calculated. Romney said he was "a day closer" to making a formal candidacy announcement but did not give any clues as to when it would be. "What happened here today was a big statement about the support my friends and colleagues will give to a potential campaign," Romney said. "Had we raised $80,000 today, that would have made me rethink this. ... What happened today underscores the validity of this effort." Romney formed a presidential exploratory committee with the Federal Election Commission late last week, which allows him to begin accepting money for a potential White House race. He said the amount raised was not meant to send a message to rival candidates but instead send a message to his family and friends that the momentum needed to run a presidential campaign exists. "In political fund-raising, money talks but early money screams," said Spencer Zwick, Romney's national finance director and adviser. "We do know that it takes at least tens of millions of dollars to be viable." Traditionally, supporters would get an invitation to a fund-raiser and be asked to write a check. But Romney's committee took it one step further, asking those who already support him to come with their own Rolodex or holiday card list and ask family members, friends or business associates to support Romney, Zwick said. Callers could take credit card donations right over the phone, or pledges for checks to be mailed to the campaign headquarters. Callers had a bit of a script to follow and had access to information on Romney's stance on certain issues, but mainly spoke on their own to people they were calling. "They become an extension of the campaign," Zwick said. Zwick would not give a ballpark figure for how much the telethon cost but said that it costs money to raise money. The callers paid their own way to Boston. Romney highlighted the "innovation" of the event, combing the power of the Internet with the personal touch of people asking friends to support him. Monday's event focused on fund-raising but also looked and sounded like a presidential campaign event — including a constant reference to Romney's problem-solving history. "I think he has proven he is credible," said Thomas Tellefsen, a co-chairman of Romney's financial board. Tellefsen was a top fund-raiser for President George W. Bush. "We are trying to give him the resources to deliver the message on who he is." Before Romney even entered the room, the volunteer callers saw a slick, motivational video showing various elements of Romney's political life — including shots of him with President George Bush at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, various interviews with different public officials and the potential presidential candidate himself talking about his career. The video highlighted how the Olympics were in "terrible shape" when Romney took over and the challenge of still holding the games so soon after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. It also described how Romney is "wicked smart" — to use the Boston vernacular — and how he balanced the Massachusetts budget and helped everyone in the state to get health care coverage without raising taxes. "What an extraordinary gathering this is," Romney said, after a grand entrance into the ballroom turned fund-raising war room with his wife, Ann. Some of Romney's children joined their parents in the middle of 40 workstations of laptops and phones under a huge four-sided JumboTron screen. "I want to see a new American dream," Romney said, adding that this is now more than just a house in the suburbs. His new dream includes strong families, great schools, health care coverage and a safe and prosperous country. "A new American dream is what we are going to have to build together," Romney said. "I have all the confidence in the world that we are going to be remarkably successful in doing just that." Romney started the fund raising by calling his older sister, Lynn Romney Keenan, in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., to illustrate exactly what the other people in the room were doing. "This is an exciting day, isn't it?" Keenan yelled into the phone, broadcast throughout the room for the media and other callers to hear. She said she was sitting at home thinking about her brother's leadership, his energy and his "spark" as she waited for his call. Keenan enthusiastically pledged $2,100 to the committee, the legal limit allowed for an individual to contribute at this stage in the election cycle. Money raised for the exploratory committee can be rolled over into his presidential war chest if Romney formally declares his candidacy. Utah Lt. Governor Gary Herbert was among an estimated 15 people who flew to Boston from Utah for the event. "It is not a hard sell in the state of Utah," Herbert said. Utahns know him not only from his work on the 2002 Olympics but because he is member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Even for those outside of Utah or not familiar with Romney, "I think he sells himself very well," Herbert said. "This is not who do you want to be your pastor," Herbert said, which is already a familiar line when talking about Romney's White House aspirations. "This is not about church doctrine but who do you want to be your next president." Herbert said the word Mormon was not even part of the vocabulary on Monday, and that his own list included church members and non-members. David Huntsman, brother of Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., was also making calls. The governor supports another presidential contender, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., although his father and brother support Romney. "It makes for interesting family discussions," David Huntsman said, adding that there is respect for each brother's political opinions. "We're excited about what he's doing, we believe in his message that he has," said David Huntsman. "He's a true leader. He's been successful in everything he has been involved in." Huntsman said he likes the fact that Romney's "been successful not only in politics but outside of politics" and that his broad experience as a CEO will help in run an effective White House. Missouri Governor Matt Blunt said once more people meet Romney in person and get to know him better they will "like what they see. 'The next president will face a number of challenges," Blunt said. "He is a proven problem-solver." Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and McCain also have exploratory committees for the Republican nomination.
http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,650221537,00.html
By Suzanne StruglinskiDeseret Morning News BOSTON — Mitt Romney raised $6.5 million Monday, giving the former Massachusetts governor — and his opponents — a clear indication there is strong support for him should he decide to run for the Republican presidential nomination, he said.Josh Reynolds, Associated PressMitt Romney hangs up after calling his sister as part of his "National Call Day" experiment. In a campaign fund-raising experiment, Romney's "National Call Day" at the Boston Convention Center had more than 400 supporters — including more than a dozen Utahns — work the phones, calling their own personal networks of likely donors to start funding Romney's presidential campaign. "I'm overwhelmed by the support, I'm heartened by the friendships, and I'm optimistic about the future," Romney said, adding that people were still making calls after that $6.5 million total was calculated. Romney said he was "a day closer" to making a formal candidacy announcement but did not give any clues as to when it would be. "What happened here today was a big statement about the support my friends and colleagues will give to a potential campaign," Romney said. "Had we raised $80,000 today, that would have made me rethink this. ... What happened today underscores the validity of this effort." Romney formed a presidential exploratory committee with the Federal Election Commission late last week, which allows him to begin accepting money for a potential White House race. He said the amount raised was not meant to send a message to rival candidates but instead send a message to his family and friends that the momentum needed to run a presidential campaign exists. "In political fund-raising, money talks but early money screams," said Spencer Zwick, Romney's national finance director and adviser. "We do know that it takes at least tens of millions of dollars to be viable." Traditionally, supporters would get an invitation to a fund-raiser and be asked to write a check. But Romney's committee took it one step further, asking those who already support him to come with their own Rolodex or holiday card list and ask family members, friends or business associates to support Romney, Zwick said. Callers could take credit card donations right over the phone, or pledges for checks to be mailed to the campaign headquarters. Callers had a bit of a script to follow and had access to information on Romney's stance on certain issues, but mainly spoke on their own to people they were calling. "They become an extension of the campaign," Zwick said. Zwick would not give a ballpark figure for how much the telethon cost but said that it costs money to raise money. The callers paid their own way to Boston. Romney highlighted the "innovation" of the event, combing the power of the Internet with the personal touch of people asking friends to support him. Monday's event focused on fund-raising but also looked and sounded like a presidential campaign event — including a constant reference to Romney's problem-solving history. "I think he has proven he is credible," said Thomas Tellefsen, a co-chairman of Romney's financial board. Tellefsen was a top fund-raiser for President George W. Bush. "We are trying to give him the resources to deliver the message on who he is." Before Romney even entered the room, the volunteer callers saw a slick, motivational video showing various elements of Romney's political life — including shots of him with President George Bush at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, various interviews with different public officials and the potential presidential candidate himself talking about his career. The video highlighted how the Olympics were in "terrible shape" when Romney took over and the challenge of still holding the games so soon after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. It also described how Romney is "wicked smart" — to use the Boston vernacular — and how he balanced the Massachusetts budget and helped everyone in the state to get health care coverage without raising taxes. "What an extraordinary gathering this is," Romney said, after a grand entrance into the ballroom turned fund-raising war room with his wife, Ann. Some of Romney's children joined their parents in the middle of 40 workstations of laptops and phones under a huge four-sided JumboTron screen. "I want to see a new American dream," Romney said, adding that this is now more than just a house in the suburbs. His new dream includes strong families, great schools, health care coverage and a safe and prosperous country. "A new American dream is what we are going to have to build together," Romney said. "I have all the confidence in the world that we are going to be remarkably successful in doing just that." Romney started the fund raising by calling his older sister, Lynn Romney Keenan, in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., to illustrate exactly what the other people in the room were doing. "This is an exciting day, isn't it?" Keenan yelled into the phone, broadcast throughout the room for the media and other callers to hear. She said she was sitting at home thinking about her brother's leadership, his energy and his "spark" as she waited for his call. Keenan enthusiastically pledged $2,100 to the committee, the legal limit allowed for an individual to contribute at this stage in the election cycle. Money raised for the exploratory committee can be rolled over into his presidential war chest if Romney formally declares his candidacy. Utah Lt. Governor Gary Herbert was among an estimated 15 people who flew to Boston from Utah for the event. "It is not a hard sell in the state of Utah," Herbert said. Utahns know him not only from his work on the 2002 Olympics but because he is member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Even for those outside of Utah or not familiar with Romney, "I think he sells himself very well," Herbert said. "This is not who do you want to be your pastor," Herbert said, which is already a familiar line when talking about Romney's White House aspirations. "This is not about church doctrine but who do you want to be your next president." Herbert said the word Mormon was not even part of the vocabulary on Monday, and that his own list included church members and non-members. David Huntsman, brother of Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., was also making calls. The governor supports another presidential contender, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., although his father and brother support Romney. "It makes for interesting family discussions," David Huntsman said, adding that there is respect for each brother's political opinions. "We're excited about what he's doing, we believe in his message that he has," said David Huntsman. "He's a true leader. He's been successful in everything he has been involved in." Huntsman said he likes the fact that Romney's "been successful not only in politics but outside of politics" and that his broad experience as a CEO will help in run an effective White House. Missouri Governor Matt Blunt said once more people meet Romney in person and get to know him better they will "like what they see. 'The next president will face a number of challenges," Blunt said. "He is a proven problem-solver." Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and McCain also have exploratory committees for the Republican nomination.
http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,650221537,00.html
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