Romney delivers, receives barbs in N.H.

NASHUA, N.H. --Gov. Mitt Romney, kicking off two extensive days of national politicking in New Hampshire, delivered and endured a series of barbs -- particularly about his Mormon faith -- as he visited this early presidential state on Friday.

The Massachusetts chief executive gave as good as he got, taunting Gov. John Lynch for a lack of effervescence and Nashua Mayor Bernard Streeter, who recently survived a voter recall attempt, for his forceful ways.

"I was a little late," a meticulously coifed Romney told the audience as he arrived for the 15th annual Wild Irish Breakfast, a St. Patrick's Day roast organized by Streeter. "Stepping out of the car, I bumped my head and broke my hair."

Romney, who is contemplating a run for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination, poked fun at himself on the campaign trail in both the Granite State and early voting Iowa.

"You can' tell when it's election time here: You put up those `Candidate Crossing' signs," the governor said, pausing a beat. "And you can tell it's New Hampshire, because you speed up."

Romney also joked that he had begun the day reading the Bible before adding, "I always find it's very helpful to get up in the morning and see what the Union Leader is saying."

He complained in jest about the famously conservative newspaper that prints a daily prayer, reading the headline: "The sap is running."

Then he deadpanned: "But I haven't even made a decision yet."

As much as he cautions that his candidacy is only in the exploratory stage, Romney had the schedule of a committed contender.

Following his breakfast appearance, he held a series of meetings with local Republicans at the hotel where the roast was held. Then he had a lunch scheduled with Manchester GOP leaders, before another round of afternoon meetings and an evening appearance at the Bobby Stephens St. Patrick's Day roast in Manchester.

On Saturday, Romney was scheduled to make appearances in Keene, Concord, Hampton and Derry.

Streeter, a Republican serving his seventh year as Nashua mayor, said Romney had a presidential bearing.

"When you can poke fun at yourself in a crowd that doesn't know you, I think it bodes well for him," the mayor said. "He's traveled all the highways and byways and now he's working into the towns. He knows how to run for president in New Hampshire."