Romney keeps raising profile

Ask Mitt Romney about his presidential ambitions, and he artfully demurs.

But his schedule keeps looking like that of someone who has his eyes on 2012.

The former Massachusetts governor, who sought the GOP nomination last year, is to be the keynote speaker tonight at the Virginia Republican Party's big Commonwealth Gala dinner in Richmond. That is his latest appearance before the party faithful.

Sunday, Romney is scheduled to make his latest appearance on a political talk show, on Fox News Sunday.

And on Monday morning, he is scheduled to give a major policy speech on national security at the high-profile Heritage Foundation in Washington. This is his latest foray into critiquing President Obama on a wide range of issues, including domestic and economic policy.

Romney's sold-out speech, titled "The Care of Freedom," is to kick off Heritage's "Protect America Month."

"This past Monday after North Korea’s nuclear and missile tests, President Barack Obama said, 'North Korea is directly and recklessly challenging the international community' and warranted action by the international community," Heritage's announcement said. "Next Monday, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney will deliver an address at the Navy Memorial Burke Theater assessing the Obama administration’s response to Pyongyang and America’s larger leadership role in the world."