Romney Plays Up Local Links As Primary Goes to Wire

Mitt Romney last night played to his local connections as he warned New Hampshire supporters his race with John McCain was "razor thin".

The two have been fighting for the loyalties of New Hampshire supporters in recent weeks. Polls show a slight lead for McCain, who has been using TV ads to remind voters he is the same man they propelled to a defeat of George Bush in the 2000 primary.

Romney, a former governor of neighboring Massachusetts, fought back last night in his final rally before polls opened with several displays of New England affection.

As Romney took to the stage, his state chairman led the audience in a sing along to Neil Diamond's Sweet Caroline, the signature song of the Boston Red Sox - the local team in southern New Hampshire.

Before he began to set out his arguments for the nomination, Romney introduced his family and told the audience of holidays on New Hampshire's Lake Winnipesaukee when he first moved to Massachusetts in 1971.

The former management consultant and private equity investor has been buoyed by a Fox News focus group that declared him the winner of a weekend debate where he stressed his managerial skills.

He last night sought to project himself as a CEO who can "get the job done" in a dysfunctional Washington.

"I've come to the conclusion listening to you that Washington is fundamentally broken," he told the rally.

"They talk a lot but they don't do a lot. It's time to send someone to Washington who can get the job done. We need a president who has worked more than a day in the private sector."

The rally, held in the town of Bedford, lacked glitz or the star power of Barack Obama but there were several hundred in the hall, including young families, and more outside, prevented from entering by fire regulations.

The small school car park overflowed and supporters were forced to leave their cars on the snow-covered verges and walk through unlit country roads to hear Romney speak.

He suffered a setback when he came second in Iowa last week to Mike Huckabee despite spending heavily on ads in the state. New Hampshire has become crucial to his chances of building momentum ahead of Super Tuesday on February 5.

Romney last night sought to tie his cause to Huckabee and Obama, arguing all three were Washington outsiders who offered voters change from established figures.

"I see him get a lot of energy and passion and I think he's going to blow them away again," he said of Obama.

"They [voters] realize we have to have people who know about change. They have to come from the outside and I am going to be that person."

Romney said his business background gave him the skills to get the most from a changing world. "You have to have leadership that knows how to deal with change and recognize opportunity. I understand change, I understand innovation and I'll make it work for American jobs."

He ended with a question and answer session with the audience, using questions on health and education to reprise his record as Massachusetts governor.

His final appeal was for his supporters to vote. "This thing is razor thin," he said.