Romney on ABC Nightline

ABC Nightline have been doing a series "The Contenders". This week they spent the day with Mitt Romney when he was campaigning in Iowa.

It's worth looking at, it shows the Mitt Romney that many Americans are not yet familiar with.

And it also discusses the Mormon issue, and show some disturbing poll results regarding the electability of Mormon candidates. Why a candidate's faith matters so much is unclear, and just slightly worrying. But Romney's response is good.

Check out part 1 below.

DeMint Campaigns with Romney

Mitt Romney spent yesterday in key state South Carolina touring with Senator Jim DeMint.

Having already secured the support of DeMint, Romney yesterday was endorsed by 3 prominent locals, former Governor Jim Edwards, former Congressman Tommy Hartnett and Republican National Committeewoman Cindy Costa.

Romney said that these are a "remarkable group of people and their support means the world to me."

Romney continues his tour of South Carolina this morning at a breakfast meet and greet in Colombia.

Romney has been to South Carolina a number of times in the past year.

South Carolina's other Senator, Lindsey Graham is supporting front runner, John McCain.

Mitt Romney at Conservative Summit

Mitt Romney was in Washington D.C on Saturday to deliver a speech to the National Review's Conservative Summit.

Hoping to differentiate himself from lead candidate's John McCain and Rudy Giuliani, Romney is campaigning hard for the conservative vote.

Romney spoke of the need for fiscal responsibility, and his desire to make the Bush tax cuts permanent.

Romney Donated to Democrats

Following on from the questions raised over Mitt Romney's moderate past, it has been revealed this week that Romney donated money to Democratic candidates in 1992.

Romney donated money to Democrat Rep. Richard Swett and Rep. John LaFalce. He also made a contribution to an unsuccessful Democrat in a Utah Senate seat.

A Romney spokesperson said the following on the issue.

"A $250 contribution made almost 15 years ago is obviously greatly overshadowed by strong conservative governing and a proud Republican record of balanced budgets and pro-family advocacy."

Romney in South Carolina Monday

Mitt Romney will be heading to key early state South Carolina on Monday.

Romney will be appearing in Aiken, Anderson, Charleston and Columbia.

South Carolina is a strong state for frontrunner, John McCain. Romney will be attempting to cut back some of the lead McCain has in the polls.

New Poll - Romney on 7%

Mitt Romney has come in 4th in a poll released today by CNN.

The poll has Rudy Giuliani on 32%, John McCain on 26% and Newt Gingrich on 9%.

It was conducted between 19-21 January and has a margin of error of 5%.

Hoekstra Joins Romney

The senior Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, Pete Hoekstra has joined the Mitt Romney exploratory committee to advise on U.S intelligence matters. He will also be co-chair of the Michigan State organization.

Hoekstra said that he knows that "...the professionals who serve in the Intelligence Community will be well served under Governor Romney."

On Tuesday, former House Speaker Dennis Hastert joined the Romney team.

Romney Supports Bush Health Plan

Responding to the State of the Union Address by President Bush, Mitt Romney has said that he supports the plans to make health insurance more affordable.

As Governor of Massachusetts, Romney presided over a new plan to protect those who couldn't get health care.

Mitt Romney's statement on the State of the Union here.

Romney is currently in Israel and yesterday gave a speech at the Seventh Annual Herzliya Conference.

Hastert Joins Romney

Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert has joined the Romney exploratory committee in what is sure to a big boost for his chances to secure the Republican Nomination. Hastert is a senior player in the Republican Party and was Speaker from 1999 until early January when Nancy Pelosi took over.

Romney said that the addition of Hastert to his team was " a clear indication that our message is being embraced across the country."

Other Republicans endorsing Romney include Senatot DeMint, Rep. Dave Camp and Rep. Marsha Blackburn.

POST/ABC Poll - Romney 3rd - 9%

In a poll conducted last week by the Washington Post and ABC, Mitt Romney secured 9% of respondents, equal with Newt Gingrich who has yet to declare if he is running.

Leading the poll was Rudy Giuliani on 34%, followed by John McCain on 27%.

A number of other declared candidates like Tom Tancredo and Jim Gilmore were on 1% each.

Romney supports gun owners

Mitt Romney was at a gun show in Florida on Friday and said that he was "...proud to be among the many decent, law-abiding men and women who safely use firearms."

Romney said that "Americans should have the right to own and possess firearms as guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution".

Romney is still seeking to attract the conservative base of the Republicans. However, his record as Governor and Senate Candidate in Massachusetts may come back to haunt him. Massachusetts has some of the toughest gun laws in the country, and although Romney did attempt to placate gun owners, his stance may not wash with many in the GOP.

However, apparently Romney attended the gun show with the Vice President of the NRA. His campaign might just be working.