This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2007, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
ST. GEORGE - Mitt Romney ventured to redrock country Wednesday in hopes of raking in more campaign green.
And Dixie delivered, aides say, to the tune of $250,000 to $300,000 in what is believed to be the largest political fundraiser ever staged in southern Utah.
"I'm blown away by the response from southern Utah," Romney said before leaving St. George for Atlanta. "The generosity, support and warm spirit [are] inspiring."
Expensive cars crowded the parking lot of the Dixie Center, where the Republican presidential hopeful addressed enthusiastic backers who forked over $1,000 a piece for the chance to eat breakfast with him.
After the quick meal and speech - which were closed to the press - Romney, a Mormon, reiterated to reporters his belief in God as being a quintessential quality Americans expect from their presidents.
St. George resident Bob Lichfield, the co-chairman of Romney's Utah finance committee, said he expected the event to bring in up to $300,000 for the former Massachusetts governor's presidential campaign.
Lichfield said former House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., raised about $50,000 several years ago for John Swallow's unsuccessful congressional bid.
"It was a big deal for [Romney] to come here," Lichfield said. "He has roots here. His great-grandfather was the architect of the [St. George] tabernacle."
Lichfield pointed to Romney's leadership triumphs - moving Massachusetts' budget from the red to the black and steering a previously scandal-scarred 2002 Winter Olympics - as evidence of his presidential credentials.
"He's fantastic," Lichfield said.
Romney's speech - which touched on how he improved education and health care in the Bay State - impressed Washington County Commissioner Alan Gardner.
"He took out some of the requirements [necessary for insurance] and, with the help of the state, made it so everyone now has [health] insurance," Gardner said. "He's going to be great."
Iron County Commissioner Wayne Smith said Romney recognized a lot residents from neighboring Cedar City at the breakfast.
"He was very sincere and would never be embarrassing for the country or [LDS] Church," Smith said.
St. George resident Randy Wilkinson sees Romney as the right leader and the right time.
"He has high moral and family values and supports entrepreneurship and the American way."
Polls have shown Romney trailing Arizona Sen. John McCain and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani by a wide margin in the race for the Republican nomination.
But St. George resident Ed Bowler believes Romney can close the gap.
"He's family and business oriented and has good ideas on how to make things better," Bowler said. "I think he'll win - or at least he has a good shot."