News for N.H. GOP: No Romney at picnic

How do you explain to 120 eager New Hampshire Republicans that the star of the picnic fund-raiser -- the governor with a 100-watt smile who is a possible presidential contender -- won't be showing up after all?

Even worse, how do you tell them he is being replaced by the governor of a Southern state who is best known for losing 110 pounds?

Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney abruptly canceled his scheduled appearance at this Saturday's ''Steakout" in Nashua, leaving Sandra Ziehm, chairwoman of the city's GOP committee, to inform local Republicans that there is a change afoot. Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, author of ''Quit Digging Your Grave With a Knife and Fork," would be taking Romney's place.

''Somehow we have to keep on trucking and keep these 120 people happy," Ziehm said yesterday, referring to the people who have already purchased tickets to the fund-raiser. ''I'll think up some good jokes and stand on my head."

Romney spokeswoman Julie Teer said he canceled after ''a family commitment came up at the last minute. These things happen sometimes." She declined to elaborate.

Romney has emerged as a proven fund-raising draw in New Hampshire, where Republicans are desperate to unseat first-term Democratic Governor John Lynch in next year's election. In June, he was the headliner at a Republican women's dinner in Manchester, and earlier this month Romney discussed the upcoming governor's race with GOP leaders gathered at his summer home on Lake Winnipesaukee. Next month, he is scheduled to raise more campaign cash by hosting 300 party activists at his lake house.

Romney aides say his attentiveness to Granite State issues is merely fulfilling his role as vice-chairman of the Republican Governors Association. But developing a following in New Hampshire, which holds the nation's first presidential primary, would help him if he seeks the GOP nomination in 2008.

In discussing Romney's change of plans, Ziehm said, ''I can't imagine he would do this on purpose -- it certainly is not healthy for him. I have to go on good faith that he has had some kind of conflict beyond his control that he thinks is serious enough to risk alienating all these people."

She added that Romney's cancellation shows ''that he's a family man, and that he's putting his priorities where they should be."