BOSTON, Jan. 4 (UPI) -- Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, whose term ends this month, has established a presidential committee aimed at a 2008 run for the White House.
Romney, a Republican, formally filed the necessary documents to establish a presidential exploratory committee, the Washington Post reported Thursday. He will begin aggressive campaigning and fundraising immediately. His filing was delayed a day so as not to coincide with the funeral of former U.S. President and fellow Michigan native Gerald Ford.
Romney, 59, trails more well-known names like Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and former New York City mayor Rudolph Giuliani in polls that are at this stage based mainly on name recognition. One day into his campaign for the White House, he faces critics who point to his short tenure as an elected official and the fact that he is a Mormon, something a survey found one in three likely voters would support, the Post reported.
Romney will announce his candidacy formally at a later date, his aides told the Post.
