Four Ways Romney Is Prepping for the Next Round

Updated: February 9, 2012 | 11:08 a.m.
February 9, 2012 | 10:09 a.m.

Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney speaks at a campaign rally at Arapahoe High School in Centennial, Colo., Monday, Feb. 6, 2012. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

1. Getting personal. Romney is trying to connect with voters by showing them a softer side, sharing intimate stories about his family and faith. He's especially emphasizing how his work with his church has helped him to understand the plight of the poverty-stricken, a far cry from last week's statement that he wasn't concerned with the very poor.

2. Breaking the Reagan rule. Romney has been upping the attacks on fellow GOP presidential candidates Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich. His main criticism concerns the amount of time they've spent in Washington, as he seeks to differentiate himself as a Washington outsider.

3. Bringing the fight to the White House. After a remark by Obama press secretary Jay Carney rubbed Romney the wrong way, the candidate responded in kind. Romney also threw some punches during the contraception fight, calling the Obama administration's regulations requiring women's contraceptive services to be covered by insurance an example of "President Obama's war on religious liberty." 

4. Bringing home the bacon. According to the Associated Press, Romney's been fundraising in Atlanta. With Santorum's fundraising reportedly booming since his three-state sweep, Romney's money advantage has become even more critical as he seeks to outlast his competitors.

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