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Romney Campaign Expands Its Staff to Work With Vice-Presidential Pick

Wall Street Journal / 8-2-2012 / Patrick O'Connor

Mitt Romney's campaign is adding more staff to work with the candidate's eventual vice-presidential pick, an indication that a choice is drawing nearer now that Mr. Romney has returned from a trip abroad.

The presumptive Republican presidential nominee returns to the campaign trail Thursday in Colorado after an overseas trip that generated mixed headlines back home. His return is sure to spawn new speculation about whom he will tap as his running mate and when.

The new additions to the campaign, which won't be announced until later, will help the small group who are already working on plans for the rollout and making sure the eventual pick is integrated into the broader campaign, according to one adviser.

Timing is a critical component of any vice-presidential announcement. The campaign has said Mr. Romney would announce his pick before the Republican National Convention kicks off Aug. 27 in Tampa, Fla., but the candidate and his aides have offered few other clues...

Many of the potential picks, including Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Ohio Sen. Rob Portman and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, have been making regular campaign stops in battleground states.

Others, including New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, have been banging the drum this week against the looming threat of automatic defense cuts that could take effect next year, blaming the president for the deal, which was supported by congressional Republicans. The Romney campaign has seized on the issue, seeking to make inroads in states that are heavily dependent on military spending, particularly Virginia.

Still, some Romney advisers have pushed for an early announcement on a running mate that would allow the campaign to cover more ground by sending Mr. Romney's partner on the campaign trail and to fundraising events. By making the announcement early, Mr. Romney also could campaign with his running mate for a number of days before the convention to generate excitement and raise money.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390443545504577563491894042220.html