Does Romney Have The Juice To Win?

Sat, January 26, 2008 - 4:40 PM

LAKELAND, Fla. -- It's good to mention oranges when running for political office in Florida. Perhaps even better to pose with them.

Mike Huckabee visited the Lakeland PIg Festival here earlier today. Mitt Romney may have done him one better.

At al appearance Saturday afternoon at Florida Citrus Mutual Headquarters, Romney drew an overflow crowd of about 300 people that left many of them standing outside the building, apparently content to listen to his speech on speakers.

Romney at one point held up a bag of oranges for a throng of photographers. He also would cradle twin babies, and be swarmed by people seeking handshakes, autographs, or just wanting to say “Hi!”

During his short speech, Romney returned to his central campaign themes that Washington was broken and that he is the candidate with the broad background to turn around the economy, based on his experience in the business private sector, heading the Olympics, and as a former governor of Massachusetts.

“It is what I know. It is what I do,” said Romney.

Though he did not speak directly about the Iraq war, Romney also touched briefly on the military. He said he would at least 100,000 more troops to U.S. forces, get better military equipment, and better health care for veterans.

“Florida has been really good to me. And I hope it is going to be really good to me in a couple of days,” Romney said at one point..

But he added of Tuesday’s voting, “This is going to be close one.”

Attending the event was state Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson, who has endorsed Romney. He said he believed Romney’s economic emphasis is resonating with many Republicans who will vote in the primary.

“People are going to vote on this issue,” said Bronson.

“I just think he is the one person you can talk to about business issues, and you know he’s been there,” said Bronson.

As Romney left the building after his speech to waiting crowd outside, he asked: “Did you hear my speech?”

“Yeah!” shouted back many in the crowd.

“I’m sorry about that,” Romney quipped with a smile, prompting laughter.

-- Billy House