Romney rolling out Iowa strategy

By Globe Staff

WASHINGTON -- There was plenty of speculation a few months ago that Mitt Romney would ignore Iowa in the 2012 election after a disastrous and expensive outcome there helped seal his fate in 2008.

But while he is not spending near the time or resources this time around – instead focusing more closely on New Hampshire and Nevada -- Romney’s strategy in this GOP presidential primary clearly does include the Hawkeye State. How much may become clearer this week as he travels to Des Moines for the first time since announcing his exploratory committee. He is scheduled to appear at a forum at noon Friday sponsored by the Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity.

The former Massachusetts governor also announced today that he is naming Sara Craig as state director of his campaign. Craig was central Iowa field director for Romney in 2008. Romney named Phil Valenziano as state field director, according to a press release from the Romney for President Exploratory Committee.

Iowa’s caucus votes are very much up for grabs since former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee opted out of the presidential contest this month. Other candidates including Newt Gingrich have been spending far more time than Romney in Iowa. And Tim Pawlenty, the former Minnesota governor who is trailing in New Hampshire polls, announced his candidacy yesterday in Des Moines.