Let the Games begin

Romney Raises Funds in Boise

By J. Gelband, 3-14-07

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney was in Boise Tuesday to raise money for his 2008 presidential campaign.  After a brief press conference on the Statehouse steps, team Romney headed to the Crystal Ballroom in downtown’s Hoff Building for a $1,000-a-plate fundraising luncheon.
Before speaking, Romney posed for $2,300 photos and mingled graciously with the attendees – which included a decent who’s who of Idaho politicos.
Idaho attorney and lobbyist C.A. “Skip” Smyser enthusiastically introduced the 60-year-old Romney. Romney was articulate and cool, smooth and polished and had prepared fine answers to questions from the crowd. His talk, which lasted less than an hour, brought up big issues, such as focusing on the family and single parents, the state of troops in Iraq, health care for the poor, which he said he implemented in Massachusetts as governor but isn’t sure it would work on a national level. And though he discussed the issues, he left his opinions a bit ambiguous – perfect technique for a candidate this early in the race.
“What you see is what you get,” said one of his supporters. What Romney himself got was about 150 attendees at the noon reception; though some supporters probably didn’t show, and it wasn’t immediately determinable how many attendees sprung for the photo donation, do the math to estimate his earnings.
The afternoon was brief. Romney was nice, he looked good, and then he left (he was off to Arizona immediately after the lunch). This was Romney’s third official visit to Idaho, and he’ll probably be back soon, since the state appears to support him.

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