Romney courts Iowa Republicans

DES MOINES -- Four Republicans considering running for president in 2008, including Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, courted activists yesterday and predicted GOP success in the November elections despite the party's sagging support in polls.

``The theme is we are right on the issues, not just for Iowa but for the country," said New York Governor George E. Pataki. ``I understand what the experts are saying, but if we stick to Republican principles, we will succeed."

Generally cast as a moderate, Romney sounded a theme of social conservatism before the delegates, who are generally more conservative than most Republicans.

``The family is the absolute foundation of our culture," Romney said.

Kansas Senator Sam Brownback, Virginia Senator George Allen, and aides to Senate majority leader Bill Frist of Tennessee also attended the convention, the traditional kickoff of the fall campaign, which attracted nearly 2,000 people.

Pataki and Romney both have announced they are not seeking another term as governor, and both are frequent visitors to Iowa. Pataki last week announced a leadership team of key Iowa activists, and Romney followed suit yesterday, using the state GOP convention as a backdrop to release a list of 50 key Republican activists who have signed on.

Iowa's Republican chairman, Ray Hoffman, said that the attention from presidential candidates will bring money and organizational expertise to local candidates.

``The message is that we need to stand strong for certain principles, ideas, and actions," Allen said. Allen, who faces a Senate challenge from Democrat Jim Webb, said he probably would not return to Iowa, where precinct caucuses launch the presidential nominating season, before this November's election.

Brownback, a favorite of social conservatives, touched on issues such as restricting abortion to taking a tough stand on the war.

Republicans should not be afraid of backing the war, the senator said, despite polls showing dwindling support.

``I think we should talk about the war," said Brownback. ``I think it's time to have another debate, another national debate about the war."