Romney lends his support to McCain during Colorado visit (video)

[Omaha Steve]

http://cw2.trb.com/news/kwgn-gop-fundraiser,0,218366.story

Raising money and closing ranks, Republicans downplay VP speculation

by Eli Stokols, News2

March 28, 2008

DENVER (KWGN) — Senator John McCain has the Republican party's presidential nomination locked up, but he lags far behind his two Democratic rivals in terms of fundraising.

While Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are both nearing $200 million in total campaign contributions, McCain is yet to hit the $70 million mark. So, as the Democrats continue to duke it out, Republicans are closing ranks and raising cash.

That was the purpose of McCain's campaign visit to Denver Thursday -- and the reason for former Republican hopeful Mitt Romney, who won Colorado's Republican caucuses by overwhelming margins last month, to come with him.

The former foes appeared side by side in every photo-op: descending the campaign plane at Centennial Airport, addressing reporters at the Brown Palace Hotel in the afternoon, walking through a chorus of protestors to a high-dollar fundraiser at the Denver Athletic Club.

"We have united our party," McCain told reporters. "We now have to re-energize our party for a very tough race."

Colorado is widely considered to be a toss-up in November's general election. To win here, McCain must draw heavily on caucus supporters of also-rans like Rudy Giuliani and Romney, both of whom had well-organized campaigns in Colorado and have since endorsed McCain.

FULL story at link.