Romney sparks interest with fundraising skill

New York: His economic expertise and experience as governor could balance John McCain's strength on foreign policy and long tenure in the US Senate. He is a decade younger than the 71-year-old senator and looks younger still. But Mitt Romney's most valuable role as McCain's running mate could be as rainmaker.

Romney was not only the wealthiest candidate in the 2008 Republican primary field; he also outraised every other contender while he was in the race. And in a year when Republicans are confronting an unprecedented Democratic money machine, Romney's fund-raising prowess could make him especially attractive.

Earlier this month, Romney urged his finance team to contribute to McCain. In interviews, major Romney donors and fund-raisers suggested the picture would look rosier if Romney were actually on the ticket.

"There is no doubt in my mind that if Senator McCain selected Governor Romney, there would be a tremendously positive response from those that may not yet be engaged on behalf of Senator McCain," said Thomas R. Tellefsen, a California investor and former national finance chairman for Romney's presidential campaign.

Some Romney supporters were reluctant to speak publicly about the edge Romney could bring to the Republican ticket, fearing their comments would be misinterpreted as pressuring McCain to pick him.

Frank Vandersloot, an Idaho business executive, had never raised money for a presidential candidate before he travelled to Boston for the January 2007 fund-raiser.

Vandersloot said he planned to follow Romney's lead in helping to raise money for McCain, but said he believed Romney had a future in national politics regardless of whether he is the vice presidential nominee. "I think there will be a sequel to this story," he said.