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Show A-13 The Park Record Sat/Sun/Mon/Tues, August 2-5, 2008 Romney: running mate for McCain? about faith very much." said organization in the state, outraised spokesman Gary Schnecberger. McCain in Arizona in June, and a referring to Romney's December recent Zogby poll showed McCain address where he spoke about the trailing Obama by 3 percentage importance of religion in American points there. Pollster John Zogby Speculation that Mitt Romney, who dropped out of the Republican society, but that it should be sepa- said: "Picking Romney would probpresidential race in February, tops rate from public responsibilities. ably solidify Arizona behind John McCain's vice-presidential list "He wants a pro-life running mate McCain." Fueled by donors in states with a has burgeoned in recent weeks as and Romney qualifies for that." McCain's campaign declined to high concentration of Mormons, as voters are rating the economy their comment for this story. Romney well as fiscal conservatives in the No. 1 concern. A Washington outsider, who co- spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom said GOP establishment. Romney raised founded a privale-equity investment Romney "expects to be campaign- $107 million during the primary dwarfing McCain and firm and served as Massachusetts ing for John McCain as a supporter campaign, r governor. Romney is viewed as bal- and not as a member of the ticket." ever\ other GOP candidate. He garWestern primary voters favored nered millions in ihe Mountain ancing the perceived shortcomings of McCain, the presumptive nomi- Romney and his conservative, core- West, and even though he dropped nee who has been an Arizona sena- party values over McCain, who is out of the race five months ago, tor for 22 years and has admitted often viewed as a maverick by mem- Romney still leads both McCain and that economic issues aren't his bers of his own party. And Romney Obama in the amount of money he strength. Romney also would ener- was the only GOP candidate to netted in Nevada. Idaho and Utah. gize fundraising and generate the build a strong presence in those according to the Center for Responsive politics. most enthusiasm in the Rocky states. He leads Obama in Arizona, and "The organization is in place, but Mountain West, political experts it would be fully energized if is free to raise money for McCain say. Prior to dropping out of the GOP Romney was the VP," said Ryan since saying he would not seek race, Romney was substantially vet- Envin, a Las Vegas Republican con- donations to repay the $45 million ted. And he knows how to throw - sultant who served as a Romney he loaned his own campaign. adviser during the primary. "Romney has tremendous and take - a punch. The enthusiasm factor should fundraising potential in Arizona, Those factors alone might help a McCain-Romney ticket in the West. not be underrated. The McCain Colorado, Nevada and other states But Romney's ties to the region, campaign, for example, has added in the region, especially in the corformer which include attending Brigham his home state of Arizona to the list porate sector." said Colorado Gov. Bill Owens, a Young University in Utah and res- of "battleground" states. Presumed Democratic nominee Republican who backed Romney cuing the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, could reap big politi- Barack Obama, who has no real for president. cal gains for McCain. It was Romney. after alj, who beat McCain in five western primaries. Not that Romney doesn't have negatives. Though he may help McCain in Michigan, where his father was governor, he could be a liability in the South. He is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, considered a cult by some evangelical Christians and Southern Baptists. Despite his central casting good looks, he often comes across as aloof. And he and McCain taunted each other in the primaries, which could be exploited by Democrats. But in the West, these problems are molehills not mountains. Romney raised millions of dollars in the region - not known for its fundraising prowess - and Arizona. Colorado and Nevada have large Mormon populations. In GOP strongholds like Utah and Idaho, many Mormons are expected to help in get-out-the-vote efforts in surrounding states. "They are a group that is situated in tight social groups ... and many see him as a pioneer," said David Campbell, a University of Notre Dame professor. "They may mobilize to act in other important states i gelato like New Mexico, California and [atom Colorado." tigh quali every In Colorado, for instance, where Romney beat McCain by 42 pertredients centage points. El Paso County overwhelmingly backed Romney. 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