Mitt Romney: I'm endorsing you today, and giving you my leading talent.
Meg Whitman: Thanks, Mitt. And you know, California plays an important role in the 2012 primaries.
Mitt Romney: Is there something in your eye, or were you just winking?
If you'd rather read the Boston Herald on the exchange (recommended), here you go:
The former eBay CEO is still readying her headquarters, but it has already become something of a campaign-in-exile for Romney's ambitions, which could include another presidential run in 2012. His leading fund-raisers and top aides, including one known as the former Massachusetts governor's "sixth son," have already signed on with Whitman. Today Romney will appear with Whitman at the state Republican convention, where he is expected to endorse her.
"Mitt's going to be involved in dozens and dozens of races, but one that he's particularly excited about is the race for governor of California," said Eric Fehrnstrom, a Romney spokesman.
A Whitman victory could deliver Romney a valuable foothold in a state that will likely be a big, early prize on the Republican nominating calendar. Her 2010 campaign will also offer a proving ground for how a candidate like Romney could compete on traditionally Democratic terrain, selling pragmatic, business-minded remedies for the nation's economic illnesses
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