The Political Whore

Mitt Romney boasts one of the best people and fundraising networks of all major presidential candidates in Florida. But he finds himself stuck behind three GOP opponents as he heads toward a Monday evening town hall event in West Tampa.

The Hill, an influential inside-the-beltway publication, said today that Romney has failed to get make headway with voters in this important — and expensive — early primary state:

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) is struggling to gain “traction” in the new early-voting state of Florida, even though his campaign has been on the ground with an extensive organization since last year.

Romney’s campaign said Monday that organization is only the first step, and they expect his poll numbers to improve once he is introduced to the wider state electorate.

But officials said a number of factors, including the presumed candidacy of ex-Sen. Fred Thompson (R-Tenn.) and Romney’s inability to lure supporters of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), as well as the expensive advertising market, further complicate Romney’s efforts to win the GOP primary in the Sunshine State.

… Romney had spent about $850,000 in Florida as of June 30 and made 11 trips there this year, with more than 30 stops. He has 11 staffers, plus three consultants, in Florida, and 15 endorsements from state legislators.

Not to mention lots of Tampa Bay support that includes two of the three big-city mayors, Rick Baker in St. Pete and Frank Hibbard in Clearwater.

Romney will be at La Teresita Restaurant on Columbus Boulevard Monday. The doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and the event is free, but the campaign is urging anyone interested in attending to put their name on a list by e-mailing FloridaRSVP@mittromney.com.

For some perspective on where Romney stands with Florida voters, Pollster.com shows his trendline barely above the not-running Newt Gingrich and set to pass the dead-man-walking John McCain — only because McCain is fading so fast.

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