Romney Is on the Fast Track
Deafened by the media buzz for new Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama is the renewed chatter among top Republicans that former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney appears to be forming his campaign operation faster than planned. White House and GOP leadership officials noted today that Romney's wave of appointments and listing of backers is a sign that he's pushing up plans to forcefully challenge Sen. John McCain.
Just today, for example, he brought on former National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Carl Forti as political director. Romney's ability to raise millions in donations has also sparked a new interest in his campaign as proof that it will be able to compete with McCain and other likely candidates. Campaign insiders say that the effort is coming together fast, in part because Romney is running the operation out of Boston and that has led to a family feeling in the office.
"The fact that joining this shop requires a move to Boston is actually an advantage," says one insider. "It requires a personal and professional investment that yields a valuable return for Governor Romney. There's a greater sense of teamwork and commitment because of it." Still, administration officials close to those working for McCain say he remains the leader in the race and the one to beat.
"The frontrunner on our side normally wins it," said a White House aide.
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