Romney builds support in early statesBy GLEN JOHNSON, Associated Press Writer
Sun Jun 17, 5:47 PM ET
BOSTON - Forget the national polls for Mitt Romney.
Slowly, methodically, the Republican presidential contender has
seized the advantage in the early states that count, relying on
a solid organization, $4 million in advertising and an aggressive
approach.
It's propelled him to the top of polls in the caucus and primary
sites of Iowa and New Hampshire, and laid the foundation for
what some analysts argue is greater success.
"Mitt Romney is now positioned as the front-runner for the
nomination," said Scott Reed, who managed Bob Dole's 1996
presidential campaign. "There's a long way to go, but to date
he's running the most logical, thought-out, structured campaign.
He's marching in the right cadence, he's raising the money, he's
spending it wiser and he seems to be on track."
Romney continues to trail former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani,
Sen. John McCain of Arizona and even former Sen. Fred Thompson
of Tennessee — who has yet to formally declare his candidacy —
in national polls of the Republican contenders.
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