Posted on 05/02/2012 10:07:48 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney will likely get more than face time with Virginia voters when he visits Portsmouth today.
He's also expected to nab a key endorsement.
Several Republican sources this week said Romney's campaign is developing plans to have U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota at the 1:15 p.m. event at Crofton Industries to announce her support for Romney.
A darling of evangelicals and tea partyers, Bachmann briefly soared as a Republican presidential contender before withdrawing in January after a poor showing in the Iowa caucuses.
An endorsement from her could lend some social conservative credentials to Romney as he tries to better connect with that part of the Republican base and overcome criticism that he's a moderate.
If it comes, it would follow the backing of another Minnesotan and onetime presidential contender: Last year, former Gov. Tim Pawlenty declared his support for Romney after dropping out of the race.
And, if history is a guide, more former Romney rivals are likely to provide public offerings of support as the GOP seeks to unify its factions and energize voters for the fall campaign against President Barack Obama.
Word of Bachmann's potential appearance came from several ranking Virginia Republican officials with knowledge of the evolving plans who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
One source said Tuesday that Bachmann's presence at Romney's Portsmouth visit, which is open to the public, was all but assured after the event was announced.
Another told The Virginian-Pilot on Wednesday that there's a 90 percent chance she'll be there.
Also scheduled to be on hand is Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, who has already endorsed the former Massachusetts governor and has been mentioned as a possible running mate for him.
McDonnell's office declined comment Wednesday when asked about Bachmann, as did Romney's campaign. Bachmann's staff replied to an initial email inquiry but didn't offer further response to a question about whether she'll endorse Romney.
Romney swooped into Northern Virginia on Wednesday to discuss the economy at a morning event and attend an evening fundraiser.
Speaking at the offices of a Chantilly company specializing in trade show exhibit services, Romney spoke about the virtues of small businesses and said Obama's policies have hurt them, according to The Associated Press.
After his Portsmouth visit today, Romney is scheduled to return to the state next week to deliver a commencement address at Liberty University.
Bachmann, meanwhile, is booked as the keynote speaker for Regent University's commencement Saturday morning in Virginia Beach.
That day, Obama will headline a campaign kick-off rally at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond.
The Romney and Obama visits this week portend much campaign activity ahead in Virginia as both candidates pursue the 13 electoral votes in this critical battleground state.
You are presumptious and arrogant. Don’t accuse me of not fighting the bastards.
You are one arrogant ass.
There’s a very stirring tea party speaker on cspan now, Rev. C.L. Bryant. Try to watch (it’s from 6:08 central until 6:59) - he’s a rousing black conservative and SO worth hearing - once it’s over, just go to the cspan online schedule and click to watch. He warns about all the enemies we face, foreign and domestic. He said he had to give up the church he pastored due to his convictions - the deacons told him they didn’t like that “tea party stuff”.
This man is a brave patriot - he and Matt Kibbe made a movie Runaway Slave, and they started the first tea party in Israel recently!
Will check it out. Thanks much, llandres.
You’re so welcome - it’s the pep talk we all need right now. You’ll like it!
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