Romney To CA, Pawlenty To NH

By Reid Wilson

Ex-MA Gov. Mitt Romney is helping two new GOPers raise money for their campaigns, spreading good will in advance of another WH bid, while one of his rivals is taking a first trip to NH.

Romney endorsed state Treas. Kay Ivey (R) in the open race for AL GOV over the weekend, returning a favor for a public official who served as his statewide campaign chair in '08.

Ivey is running against several major candidates, including ex-AL community college chancellor Bradley Byrne (R) and ex-state Supreme Court Justice Roy Moore (R).

Meanwhile, Romney will raise money in early Jan. for Rep. Mary Bono Mack (R-CA). Romney will be in Palm Desert, CA for a fundraiser at a private residence on Jan. 9.

Though Dems find themselves playing a lot of defense this year, Bono Mack is one of the party's top targets. Dems are excited about the prospects of Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet (D), and both candidates are raising good money.

GOPers make noise about putting party before their own WH '12 ambitions, but how's this for Romney's commitment to the GOP: He's raising money for Bono Mack even though she endorsed ex-NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R) in '08.

But it's probably not completely altruistic. Romney has gone on fundraising tears before, and spending PAC money to help fellow GOPers just seeds the ground for a WH '12 bid.

In other WH '12 news, MN Gov. Tim Pawlenty is continuing his early swing around the country. He is set to appear at a fundraiser for state Sen GOPers in NH on 12/16. It will be Pawlenty's first trip to NH since he formed his PAC.